BEIRUT: The AFC Champions League Elite 2024-25 league stage draw in Kuala Lumpur on Friday puts three leading Saudi clubs in highly competitive home and away matches.
Roshn Saudi League clubs Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli will each play eight games, four home and four away, according to the recently revamped men’s continental club competition that will feature two leagues of 12 teams in West and East regions.
Pro League champions and Super Cup holders Al-Hilal play four home games against Iran’s Persepolis and Esteghlal, Iraq’s Al-Shorta and Al-Gharafa of Qatar. Their away matches will be against Qatar’s Al-Sadd and Al-Rayyan, and Al-Ain and Al-Wasl of the UAE.
Al-Nassr, meanwhile, play four away matches against Persepolis and Esteghlal of Iran, Iraq’s Al-Shorta and the Qatari club Al-Gharafa. They will host Emirati clubs Al-Ain and Al-Wasl, Qatar’s Al-Sadd and Al-Rayyan on their home pitch.
The third Saudi representative, Al-Ahli, host Iraq’s Al-Shorta, Qatar’s Al-Gharafa, and Persepolis and Esteghlal of Iran at home. They play four away matches against the UAE’s Al-Ain and Al-Wasl, and the two Qatari clubs, Al-Sadd and Al-Rayyan.
The West region pot includes reigning champions Al-Ain of the UAE, Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli, Qatar’s Al-Sadd, Al-Gharafa and Al-Rayyan, Iranian clubs Persepolis and Esteghlal, Iraq’s Al-Shorta, Uzbek club Pakhtakor, and Al-Wasl of the UAE.
The East region pot includes Japan’s Vissel Kobe, Kawasaki Frontale and Yokohama F. Marinos, Korea’s Ulsan HD FC, FC Pohang Steelers and Gwangju FC, and Shanghai Port FC and Shanghai Shenhua FC of China, Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim FC, Australia’s Central Coast Mariners, Buriram United from Thailand, and the winner of preliminary stage tie between Chinese club Shandong Taishan FC and Bangkok United of Thailand.
Also on Friday, the draw for the AFC Champions League Two 2024-25 put Saudi Arabia’s Al-Taawoun FC in Group B with Iraq’s Air Force Club, Al-Khaldiya SC of Bahrain and Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr.
Four groups in the East and West respectively will contain the 32 teams competing for the ultimate prize of being the inaugural winners of this new competition.
The new season features three club championships for the Yellow Continent: the AFC Champions League Elite; the AFC Champions League Two; and the AFC Challenge Cup.
AFC Champions League Elite draw puts top Saudi clubs with competitive fixtures
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AFC Champions League Elite draw puts top Saudi clubs with competitive fixtures
- RSL clubs Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli will each play four home and four away
- AFC Champions League Two draw puts Al-Taawoun in Group B with Iraq’s Air Force Club, Al-Khaldiya SC of Bahrain and Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr
Aoki beat Brady to win dramatic E1 Jeddah GP and take early championship lead
- The win marked the second time Aoki Racing Team has triumphed in Jeddah, giving the outfit an early lead in the championship
JEDDAH: Aoki Racing Team claimed victory at the E1 Jeddah GP 2026 after an intense final on the waters of the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, fending off defending champions Team Brady.
The win marked the second time Aoki Racing Team has triumphed in Jeddah, giving the outfit an early lead in the championship. Pilots Sara Misir and Dani Clos delivered a commanding performance in front of thousands of spectators, capitalizing on a decisive final run.
After the checkered flag, Team AlUla — championed by LeBron James — were promoted to third place after debutants Sierra Racing Club received a penalty for an overtaking infringement, dropping them to fifth.
The race was packed with drama from the outset, with Misir going foil-to-foil with Team Rafa’s Spanish pilot Cris Lazarraga into the opening corner. There was a slight touch between the two E1 RaceBirds, with Misir emerging ahead.
Teammate Clos had earlier done the groundwork in Final 1 to secure the inside lane for Misir. The Jamaican pilot then dominated the remaining six laps, showcasing a strong display of teamwork and race control.
Misir was also awarded the coveted PIF Pilot of the Day award in recognition of her outstanding performance on debut for Aoki Racing Team. Her racecraft, control and consistency under pressure stood out throughout the day’s racing.
The Jeddah race marked the championship’s now traditional Saudi season opener, reinforcing the Kingdom’s growing role in the future of electric sport, sustainable mobility and innovation on water.
Trophies were presented to Aoki Racing Team by HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, minister of sport; to Team Brady by HRH Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Salman Al-Saud, chairman of the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation; and to Team AlUla pilots by Sophi Horne, founder and chairman of Seabird Technologies.
Misir said: “It feels good. Dani went out there and finished P1, so I knew I had big boots to fill. I went out, kept my head down and tried my hardest.”
Her teammate, Clos, added: “I’m on a cloud. This is an amazing place to be — I’m happy with Aoki Racing Team, happy with everyone around me. This is super special for us.”
Alejandro Agag, founder and chairman of E1, who also presented trophies to the winning representatives, said: “Seeing Aoki Racing Team clinch victory here today in Jeddah by beating the defending champions was an exhilarating spectacle, framed against the Red Sea skyline.
“All the teams were cheered on by thousands of spectators who gathered to watch the racing action. Our thanks go to them and our fantastic partners — the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation and the Ministry of Sport — who have once again extended their hospitality and helped us deliver an incredible event.”
Attention now turns to Lake Como, Italy, from April 24–25, as the championship heads to Europe for the next stop on its global tour.
