AFC Champions League is a tournament held by the Asian Football confederation. Here is a list of all the winners of the AFC Champions League
The tournament started in 1967 and it was named as Asian Champion Club Tournament in the starting. Later in 1985, it was renamed as Asian Club Championship. Again in 2002, the tournament was renamed as AFC Champions League. Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv won the first Asian Champion club in 1967 where they defeated a Malaysian team Selangor.
Later, the tournament was held in 1969 where another Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv won the tournament. The tournament was canceled in 1972. Since 2012, the tournament changed a little in format and there were held two finals instead of one. Additionally, both the finalist teams played one home match and one away match.
List of The Winners Who Have Lifted the AFC Champions League Trophy
Al-Hilal and Pohang Steelers have won the maximum number of titles, both lifting the trophy 3 times each. Apart from winning the tournament 3 times Al-Hilal reached the finals 7 times and ended up losing the final fixtures 4 times.
South Korean teams have won the title a maximum number of 12 times followed by Japan who has lifted the title 7 times. Another Sout Korean team Ulsan Hyundai are the current champions who won the trophy in 2020.
List of AFC Champions
- 1967: Hapoel Tel Aviv
- 1969: Maccabi Tel Aviv
- 1970: Taj Tehran
- 1971: Maccabi Tel Aviv
- 1985-86: Daewoo Royals
- 1986: Daewoo Royals
- 1987: Yomiuri FC
- 1988-89: Al-Sadd
- 1989-90: Liaoning
- 1990-91: Esteghlal
- 1991: Al-Hilal
- 1992-93: PAS Tehran
- 1993-94: Thai Farmers Bank
- 1994-95: Thai Farmers Bank
- 1995: Ilhwa Chunma
- 1996-97: Pohang Steelers
- 1997-98: Pohang Steelers
- 1998-99: Júbilo Iwata
- 1999-2000: Al-Hilal
- 2000-2001: Suwon Samsung Bluewings
- 2001-2002: Suwon Samsung Bluewings
- 2002-2003: Al-Ain
- 2004: Al-Ittihad
- 2005: Al-Ittihad
- 2006: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
- 2007: Urawa Red Diamonds
- 2008: Gamba Osaka
- 2009: Pohang Steelers
- 2010: Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
- 2011: Al-Sadd
- 2012: Ulsan Hyundai
- 2013: Guangzhou Evergrand
- 2014: Western Sydney Wanderers
- 2015: Guangzhou Evergrande
- 2016: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
- 2017: Urawa Red Diamonds
- 2018: Kashima Antlers
- 2019: Al-Hilal
- 2020: Ulsan Hyundai
The champions teams from all the top nations in Asia play the tournament and directly qualify for the Champions League. Furthermore, from 2021, the format has changed and there are a total of 40 teams participating in the tournament. Also for the first time, an Indian team was included from the new ISL League.
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