[3] The winner will be given an indirect preliminary stage slot for the 2025–26 AFC Champions League Elite, if they have not already qualified through their domestic performance.

Central Coast Mariners were the reigning champions, as the AFC Cup records and statistics are carried forward to the ACL Two.

[10] All matches are being played on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, apart from the final which takes place on Saturday.

The draw for the group stage took place on 16 August at the InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The final venue was pre-determined on a rotation basis, with the match hosted by the team from the East Region.