Next season's AFC Champions League Elite League East Asia has been decided 7 seats: Japan and South Korea 2 teams participate for the first time! Chengdu entered the play-offs

On December 8, Beijing time, the J-League of the 2024 season officially came to an end. Vissel Kobe successfully defended its title. Since then, the dust has settled on the four Japanese teams participating in the 2025-26 AFC Champions League.

The finale of the J-League is very similar to that of the Chinese Super League. Like Shanghai Port, Vissel Kobe not only successfully defended their title, but also won the league and cup titles, with Sanfrecce Hiroshima finishing second in the league and Machida Zevia finishing third in the league. In the AFC Champions League Elite League next season, Japan has 3 main match seats, and South Korea and China are both 2+1. Therefore, the top 3 in the Japanese league directly locked in the 3 AFC Champions League elite seats.

It is worth noting that the promoted Mamachi Tian Zevia performed well and entered the AFC Champions League for the first time in the team's history. Veteran powerhouse Gamba Osaka ranked fourth and qualified for the second division of the AFC Champions League.

Up to now, 7 of the 12 seats in the East Asian region of the AFC Champions League Elite League next season have been determined, namely Shanghai Port and Shanghai Shenhua of the Chinese Super League; K League champions and runners-up, Ulsan HD and Gangwon. There are also the top 3 in the J-League, Vissel Kobe, Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Machida Zevia. Among them, Machida Zevia and Gangwon are participating in the AFC Champions League for the first time in team history.

【Next season's AFC Champions League Elite League East Asia Quota Allocation】

Quota places:Shanghai Shenhua, Shanghai Shenhua, Ulsan HD, Gangwon, Kobe Victory, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Machida Zevia

To be confirmed the number of seats in the main competition:Thai Premier League Champion, Australian Premier League Champion, Malay Premier League Champion, AFC Champions League 24-25 (if not promoted through the league)

Play-offs:FC Seoul, Chengdu Rongcheng, 2024-25 Thailand FA Cup Champions, 2024-25 AFC Champions League II Champions League Champions League (if not promoted through the league)