[1] There were 28 direct entries while 4 teams joined as losers of the 2011 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs.
[2] The draw for the group stage was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 7 December 2010.
Based on the results from the group stage, the matchups of the round of 16 were decided as below.
[5] The draw for the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 7 June 2011.
The final of the 2011 AFC Cup was hosted by one of the finalists, decided by draw.