Live AFC Champions League Elite TV & Broadcast Schedule

The AFC Champions League Elite is the top club competition in Asian soccer. It launched in 2024 after a major restructuring of the old Champions League format. The idea was to shrink the field and pack in more high-profile matchups between the biggest clubs in Asia. The tournament is deep into the knockout rounds, with the final set for later this year.

Top clubs

The Saudi Pro League clubs have taken over. Al Hilal is the defending champion and the most successful club in Asian history. Al Nassr has Cristiano Ronaldo, who's still playing at 41. Al Ahli and Al Ittihad round out the Saudi contingent. On the East Asian side, Yokohama F. Marinos from Japan, Ulsan Hyundai from Korea, and Thailand's Buriram United are the usual contenders.

Star players

Cristiano Ronaldo is the biggest name, no question. Karim Benzema plays for Al Ittihad. Neymar is still technically with Al Hilal, though injuries have kept him off the field most of the season. Sadio Mané, Riyad Mahrez, and Aleksandar Mitrović are all scattered across the Saudi clubs. The East Asian teams rely more on domestic talent and younger South American imports.

New format

The old Champions League had 40 teams in a group stage. Now the Elite version has 24 teams split into two leagues of 12 — one for West Asia, one for East Asia. Each team plays eight matches in a Swiss-style format. The top eight from each region advance to the knockout rounds. No more group stage filler. Just high-level games from the start.

Viewership

The tournament pulls huge numbers, especially in the Middle East and East Asia. The addition of Ronaldo, Benzema, and Neymar boosted global interest significantly. AFC reported over 300 million viewers across the 2024-25 season. The final alone drew millions of viewers across Asia and beyond.

TV options in the US

Paramount+ holds the exclusive rights in the United States. Every match streams live on the platform. No cable required, just a subscription. Some matches also show up on the CBS Sports Golazo Network for free, but the full tournament is behind the paywall.

International streaming options

Coverage is fragmented across the region. In the Middle East and North Africa, beIN Sports has the exclusive rights and it's locked behind a subscription. In Japan, U-NEXT carries the games. In Korea and Southeast Asia, SPOTV is the main broadcaster. China and Australia have their own local deals. If you're traveling or living outside your home country, a VPN is often the only way to catch your local team's matches.

Current season

The 2025-26 season kicked off in August 2025. The knockout rounds are happening now. The two-legged semifinals are set for late April, with the final scheduled for May 2026. Al Hilal is the defending champion after beating Yokohama F. Marinos in last year's final.