The match was hosted by Istiklol at the Pamir Stadium in Dushanbe on 31 October 2015.

Johor Darul Ta'zim qualified for the 2015 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off as the 2014 Malaysia Super League champions, but failed to advance to the AFC Champions League group stage, and entered the AFC Cup group stage.

Both teams reached the AFC Cup final for the first time, and Johor Darul Ta'zim was the first team from East Asia Zone to reach the final.

The final was played as a single match, with the host team decided by draw.

If tied after regulation, extra time and, if necessary, penalty shoot-out would be used to decide the winner.