The AFC Champions League is the Asian premier club competition that is run by the Asian Football Confederation, which is the premier club football tournament on the continent. It is equivalent to the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores and the UEFA, CAF, CONCACAF & OFC Champions League competitions. A total of forty-six clubs compete in the competition; twenty-eight clubs receive automatic berths, with eighteen clubs qualifying via the qualifying playoffs. Since 2009, the champions do not qualify automatically for the following year competition. The winner of the AFC Champions League qualifies for the FIFA Club World Cup.
The reigning champions of the competition are Guangzhou Evergrande. The most successful club in the competition is the Pohang Steelers with the club winning a total of three titles.
