Al-Hilal’s AFC Champions League Elite league-phase fixtures confirmed | OneFootball

Al-Hilal will kick off their 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite campaign at Kingdom Arena against Al-Ain after Tuesday’s league-phase draw.

According to Goal.com, the eight-match schedule pairs them with clubs from the UAE, Qatar and Uzbekistan under the competition’s new format.

Matchday one at Kingdom Arena brings Al-Ain of the UAE, followed by an away trip to Al-Sadd of Qatar. Matchday three returns home against Shabab Al-Ahli of the UAE, then away to Neftchi of Uzbekistan for matchday four.

Back at Kingdom Arena for matchday five, Al-Hilal host Al-Gharafa of Qatar, before travelling to face Al-Wasl of the UAE on matchday six. The home finale is against Qatar’s Al-Shamal on matchday seven, with Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan awaiting away on matchday eight.

The tournament adopts a revamped league phase that splits clubs in each geographical region across four balanced tiers. Organisers hope it raises intensity and levels the playing field, with every club facing two teams from each of the four tiers.

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”