The format of the competition (PDF download below) will see the first play-off – involving one team from Syria, Uzbekistan, Qatar and the AFC Cup 2008 finalist – take place on February 18 2009, followed by the second play-off – featuring one team from Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the other AFC Cup 2008 finalist – on February 25.

The winners of both play-offs join the main competition which will see six group stage rounds on March 11, March 18, April 8, April 22, May 6, and May 20. The group stage will see a double round-robin of 96 matches.

The group stage will be followed by the round of 16 for West teams on May 27, and the round of 16 for East teams on June 24. The round of 16 are straight knockout games.

An open draw will decide the home-and-away last eight pairings and quarter-final 1 is scheduled for either September 23 or 24 while quarter-final 2 will take place on September 30.

The semi-final 1 is slated for October 21 followed by the semi-final 2 on October 28, both home-and-away, before the single-leg final at a neutral venue on November 6 or 7.

Download the New ACL Competition Format

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2009
PROPOSED MATCH SCHEDULE

Play off 1: 18 February
Play off 2: 25 February

Group stage 1: 11 March
Group stage 2: 18 March
Group stage 3: 8 April
Group stage 4: 22 April
Group stage 5: 6 May
Group stage 6: 20 May
Round of 16 (West): 27 May
Round of 16 (East): 24 June
Quarter final 1: 23 or 24 September
Quarter final 2: 30 September
Semi final 1: 21 October
Semi final 2: 28 October
Final 1: 6 or 7 November