2009 AFC Champions League

The 2009 AFC Champions League was the 28th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the 7th under the current AFC Champions League title. The final was held at the National Stadium in Tokyo on 7 November 2009, with Pohang Steelers defeating Al-Ittihad and securing a record-breaking third title. As winners, Pohang Steelers, qualified as the AFC's representative at the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

The Champions League featured a number of changes to its structure this season. Qualifying rounds were introduced, with both finalists of the previous years AFC Cup automatically earning a place in the qualifiers. The group stage was expanded from 28 to 32 teams. The first and second-placed teams in each group advanced to the knockout stage, which now included a Round of 16. The final was played as a single-legged tie at a neutral venue. The defending champions no longer received a bye to the knockout stage, nor did they automatically qualify for the tournament.

Each team was allowed to field a maximum of four foreign players this season, one of whom had to be from an AFC Member Association.

Gamba Osaka were the defending champions, but were eliminated by Kawasaki Frontale in the Round of 16.

A total of 35 teams participated in the 2009 AFC Champions League.

Below is the qualification scheme for the 2009 AFC Champions League:

Qualifying play-off: (5 teams)

Group stage: (32 teams)