April 12 – While the clubs competing are not yet confirmed, the format is. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announcing key dates and entry criteria for its inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League 2024/25.
The competition will kick off with a centralised preliminary stage August 25 to 31. Clubs qualify for a 12-team group stage with three groups of four playing 18 matches over three match days in a centralised league format from October 6 to 12, 2024.
The top two finishers in each group, together with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the Knockout Stage.
Quarterfinals will be played March 22 and 23, 2025, as single leg ties. Winners will qualify for the final stage of semi-finals and final, to be played at a central venue from May 21 to 24, 2025.
“Participating clubs, as well as their progression to the Group Stage, will be determined based on entries of participation received. Clubs with top seeding as per the Member Association’s women’s world ranking will enjoy direct qualification to the Group Stage, subject to entries,” said the AFC.
Club entry conditions are defined not just by the clubs meeting criteria themselves but also by women’s football development criteria that must be met by their member association. These include:
- Listing under the FIFA Women’s World Ranking
- A domestic competition with a minimum of ten (10) matches per club
- Appointment of a full-time dedicated official overseeing operational matters
- Documentation of a plan for the implementation of women’s club licensing requirements by the 2027/28 season
The AFC said member associations can “nominate one participating club, based on principles of sporting merit, transparent nomination processes and adherence to domestic competition regulations.”
The club nomination deadline is May 2, 2024.
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