Melbourne Victory will be playing in Asia next season following a decision made by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
The AFC has advised Football Australia that Heidelberg United FC is ineligible for the direct AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) slot under AFC regulations.
The NPL Victoria side were in the process of seeking qualification for the tournament after finishing runners up to Isuzu UTE A-League Premiers Newcastle Jets in the 2025 Australia Cup final.
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As a result, Melbourne Victory will receive the direct ACL Two slot, joining the Jets and Adelaide United in Asia next season.
Premiership winners Newcastle secured direct passage through to the lucrative AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) following their Premiers Plate triumph whilst Adelaide United go into the ACL Elite playoffs after finishing second on the ladder.
Despite finishing third in the regular season, Grand Finalists Auckland FC are ineligible for Asian competition due to their OFC status, thus handing the ACL Two slot to Melbourne Victory as the next highest-ranked Australian side.
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The decision will see Victory return to Asian competition for the first time since March 2022 when they suffered defeat at the hands of Japanese side Vissel Kobe in an AFC Champions League playoff fixture.
It is worth noting that Heidelberg United FC satisfied the mandatory criteria set out in Football Australia’s National Club Licensing Regulations for AFC Club Licensing purposes.
Melbourne Victory have confirmed they will provide further competition information to Members and fans in due course.
