2026–2027 AFC Champions League Elite     1) The competition comprises the qualifying rounds, the league stage, the round of 16, the quarter-finals, the semi-finals, and the final.     2) The number of participating teams has been increased from 24 in the 2024–2025 season to 32 (16 from East Asia and 16 from West Asia); the 16 teams from each region—East Asia and West Asia—are determined by draw to face opponents in eight matches, with a home-and-away format (each team plays against another team from its own region once at home and once away).     3) In the league stage, the top eight teams from each region—East Asia and West Asia—advance to the round of 16; the eight teams from each region then compete in a two-legged home-and-away format to determine the four semifinalists for each region.     4) The four semifinalists from each region are drawn together, and the tournament proceeds with single-elimination knockout matches held in Saudi Arabia until the champion is crowned. League Stage Ranking Rules:     In the event of a tie in points, rankings shall be determined according to the following order:     a) Teams with the higher goal difference in the league stage shall rank higher;     b) Teams with more goals scored in the league stage shall rank higher;     c) Teams with more wins in the league stage shall rank higher;     d) Disciplinary points calculated based on yellow and red cards received by players and team officials in the league stage;     e) Draw of lots.