From 2027/28, Super League champions gain direct access to AFC Champions League Two as ASEAN representation expands.
Indonesia will have up to two representatives in AFC Champions League Two from the 2027/28 season, marking a step up in regional club status after Persib Bandung’s lone berth this year.
Indonesia’s Upgraded Quota In AFC Champions League Two
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on May 22 that Indonesia will be allocated two places in AFC Champions League Two, Asia’s second‑tier club competition, starting from the 2027/28 season. This is an upgrade from the current campaign, where only one Indonesian side – Persib Bandung, as reigning Liga 1 champions – competes at this level. The change reflects AFC’s latest ranking and performance assessment and gives Indonesian club football a stronger foothold in Asian competitions.
Persib And Dewa United Showcase Indonesia’s Potential
This season, Persib Bandung carried Indonesia’s flag in AFC Champions League Two and progressed to the round of 16 before losing to Thailand’s Ratchaburi. Liga 1 runner‑up Dewa United Banten FC featured in the third‑tier AFC Challenge League, reaching the quarter‑finals before being eliminated by Manila Digger from the Philippines. While both clubs eventually exited, their ability to advance into the knockout stages helped raise Indonesia’s profile and coefficient within AFC’s club ranking system.
How The 2027/28 Slots Will Be Allocated Domestically
From the 2027/28 cycle, Indonesia’s Super League champion in the 2026/27 season will receive a direct (automatic) slot into AFC Champions League Two. A second ticket will be available through an indirect route via the play‑offs. The precise domestic criteria for that play‑off berth will be set by the Indonesian federation, but in principle it opens the door for another high-placed club to test itself in Asia, adding extra competitive stakes to the upper end of the league table.
ASEAN Neighbours Gain Similar Second-Tier Opportunities
Indonesia is not alone in seeing its second‑tier representation boosted. AFC has granted similar AFC Champions League Two allocations to Vietnam and Cambodia, signalling a broader effort to deepen participation from South‑east Asia. At the same time, in the top‑tier AFC Champions League, Saudi Arabia and Japan will each have five representatives (three direct and two via play‑offs), with the United Arab Emirates and South Korea allotted four (three direct, one play‑off). Among ASEAN nations, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore will all have access to the elite competition: Thailand with three direct slots, Malaysia with one direct slot, and Singapore with one place via the play‑offs.
Indonesian League Prospect
For Indonesian clubs, the extra AFC Champions League Two slot means more exposure to higher-intensity football, larger audiences and potentially improved commercial deals, provided teams meet licensing and performance standards. For Singaporean fans, the allocation picture underscores how ASEAN’s stronger leagues are gaining more continental spots, while Singapore’s own route to the top‑tier AFC Champions League continues to run through the play‑offs. Regionally, the new AFC structure is creating a more layered pyramid of competitions, where clubs from Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and others have clearer pathways to build experience before challenging the traditional powers in Asia’s top flight.
AFC’s decision to give Indonesia one direct and one potential play‑off spot in AFC Champions League Two from 2027/28 rewards recent club performances and raises the ceiling for domestic ambition. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, the new allocations across all three tiers of Asian competition show how South‑east Asian football is being more deeply woven into the continental landscape, offering clubs more chances to grow on the regional stage if they can consistently perform at home.
Sources: Batampos (2026) , Bola (2026)
Keywords: Persib Bandung, Dewa United Banten FC, 2027 2028 Allocation, Vietnam And Cambodia Quotas, Saudi Arabia And Japan Five Slots, Singapore Play Off Berth
