150 points in three seasons: Saudi clubs set the benchmark in AFC Champions League Elite history

by 4 November، 2026
150 points in three seasons: Saudi clubs set the benchmark in AFC Champions League Elite history
Al-Ahli celebrate winning the AFC Champions League Elite in Jeddah on 25 April 2026. Photo: Al-Ahli Saudi FC

Saudi Pro League clubs have now collected 150 points in the league stage of the AFC Champions League Elite since the competition took its current shape in 2024-25, the highest total of any country. Japanese clubs are next on 138 points, 12 behind.

The tally has been built over three seasons. In the first edition, Al Hilal and Al Ahli took 22 points each and Al Nassr added 17, a total of 61. Last season brought 54 more, with Al Hilal on 22, Al Ahli on 17 and Al Ittihad on 15. This season Saudi Arabia has five clubs in the competition for the first time, and after four matchdays those five have 35 points between them: Al Hilal 9, Al Qadsiah and Al Ahli 8 each, Al Nassr 6 from three games and Al Ittihad 4.

The wins column tells the same story. According to the AFC's official league-stage tables, Saudi sides have won 46 league-stage matches across the three seasons, against 42 for Japanese clubs.

The latest points arrived on Monday, 2 November 2026. Al Nassr beat Pakhtakor 6-2 in Tashkent, Al Qadsiah won 5-0 away to Al Gharafa, and Al Ahli drew 0-0 with Al Sadd to stay unbeaten in this season's competition.

Al Ahli remain the only club to have lifted the trophy in its new format. They beat Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in the 2025 final, then retained the title on 25 April 2026 with a 1-0 extra-time win over Machida Zelvia at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Firas Al-Buraikan scoring the winner.

Source: Asian Football Confederation, Al Riyadiyah, ESPN

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