[2] On 30 November 2009, the AFC announced 12 more MA's that were keen to join the ACL, in addition to ten participating national associations.

The full list of candidate associations were as follows: Note: Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and India have clubs taking part in play-offs to qualify for the group stages of ACL in 2010.

* One of the K-League clubs, Sangju Sangmu Phoenix, is unable to qualify for the ACL because the team is not a commercial entity and their players are not professionally contracted.

[5] The finalists of the 2010 AFC Cup also participated in the play-off, provided that they meet the Champions League criteria.

[9] In order to create balance another draw was held, moving one of the teams (Al-Ain) from the West into the East side of the play-offs.

The following awards were given for the 2011 AFC Champions League:[17] Note: Goals scored in qualifying round not counted.