Tournament Format
Qualifying play-off
2 teams from Iran play semi-finals. The winner of semi-final joins 3 teams from west Asia and 4 teams from east Asia, knock-out round, each 1 leg, on a regional basis, 2 winners from west and 2 winners from east qualify for the group stage. 2 losers from west and 2 losers from east go to AFC Cup group stage.
Group Stage
A total of 32 clubs are divided into 8 groups of four, based on region i.e. East Asian and South-east Asian clubs are drawn in Group E to H, while the rest are grouped in Group A to D. Each group is a double round robin, for a total of 6 matches for each team. Clubs receive 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. The clubs are ranked according to points and tie breakers are in following order:
Points earned between the clubs in question
Goal Difference between the clubs in question
Goals For between the clubs in question
Goal Difference within the group
Goals For within the group
The eight group winners and eight runners-up qualify to the Knock-out Round.
Knock-out Round, Round-of-16
Group winners vs group runners-up, 1 leg, on a regional basis.
Knock-out Round, Quarterfinals & Semifinal
All 8 clubs are randomly matched; however, starting 2010 season, the clubs from same country cannot face each other in the quarter-finals. The games are conducted in 2 legs -home and away- where the aggregate goals decides the match winner. If the aggregate goals cannot produce a winner the away goals rule is used. If still tied the clubs play extra time, where the away goals rule still applies. If still tied after extra time, the game goes to penalties.
Final
One 90-min game at a neutral venue. If tied after regulation, extra-time, penalty kick will be used to produce a winner.
