Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Al Hilal has confirmed its place at the top of the AFC Champions League Elite group stage standings after a decisive victory over Al Wasl, continuing the dominance of Saudi clubs in the competition with three teams finishing in the top spots.

Under the tournament’s knockout stage format, Al Hilal will face Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor in the Round of 16, while Al Ahli, which finished second, is set for a clash against Qatar’s Al Rayyan. Al Nassr will meet Iran’s Esteghlal FC, and Al Sadd of Qatar will take on Al Wasl.

The Round of 16 will follow a two-legged format, with matchups determined based on the final league standings.

The first-placed team faces the eighth, the second plays the seventh, the third meets the sixth, and the fourth takes on the fifth.

The knockout stage is scheduled to run from March 3 to March 12, 2025. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and final will all be held in Saudi Arabia under a centralized format from April 25 to May 4.

The tournament's prize money has seen a significant increase, with the champion set to receive $12 million—triple the $4 million prize awarded in the previous edition. The runner-up will earn $6 million, compared to the current second-place prize of $2 million.