Al Rayyan will host Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia in their opener of the 2024-2025 AFC Champions League Elite at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium of Al Rayyan club on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The kick-off is at 7pm.

Al Rayyan made it to the first edition of AFC Champions League Elite as runners-up of 2023-2024 season Qatar Stars League.

The Lions face a tough task against Al Hilal, seen as contenders for the title, but have shown good form with their recent victory over Al Shahania in Week 4 of Ooredoo Stars League.

Al Rayyan’s technical staff, led by Swede coach Poya Asbaghi, will also seek to find the appropriate line-up to face Al Hilal, especially with the inclusion of many top players in squad recently.

Al Hilal, the record holders for reaching the continental finals (five times) and Saudi league 2023-2024 champions, will also aim for a positive result.

The match is expected to be exciting and draw a large audience.

The AFC Champions League Elite draw saw the clubs being divided into two groups of 12 teams in the West and East regions. The league stage will be held from September 16 to February 19, 2025, and each team will face eight different sides from its region with four matches at home and as many away.

The best eight clubs will qualify for the Round of 16 and then the quarterfinals in Saudi Arabia from April 25 to May 4, 2025.