Gulf Champions Cup 2025/26

The Gulf Club Champions League operates as a regional tournament for football clubs from the Gulf Cooperation Council nations. Run by the Gulf Football Federation (GFF), the competition now carries the GFF branding after previously being known as the AGCFF. The tournament was established in 1982 under the auspices of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It ran for three decades before a hiatus following a failed attempt to restart in 2016. The event returned in the 2024–25 season following the nine-year break. The structure involves invitations based on domestic success or direct selection, with no promotion or relegation involved. The recent 2024–25 format featured eight teams split into two groups of four. The top two sides from each group progressed to two-legged semi-finals, leading to a final. Duhok SC claimed the title in that season by defeating Al-Qadsia. The following campaign, 2025–26, saw Al-Rayyan secure victory against Al-Shabab. Historical dominance in the competition has been shared among a select few sides. Al-Ahli, Al-Ettifaq, and Al-Shabab from Saudi Arabia are the most successful clubs, each having won the title three times. This stands in contrast to the broader continental competitions, as the tournament serves as a secondary regional option for Gulf clubs. It sits alongside domestic leagues rather than forming part of the national pyramid. Looking ahead, the organization plans to expand the field to twelve teams for the upcoming 2026–27 season.