[2] Starting from 2015, league champions of emerging countries were eligible to participate in the AFC Cup qualifying play-off.

[3] The last edition in 2014 saw HTTU Aşgabat defeat Rimyongsu of North Korea 2–1, and became the second consecutive team from Turkmenistan to win the competition.

On 23 December 2022 it was announced that the AFC competition structure would change from the established formats from the 2024–25 season.

[7] Qualification to the competition initially was for clubs from AFC-affiliated countries which fall into the AFC's emerging nations category as laid out in their Vision Asia document.

[9] Starting from 2015, league champions of "emerging countries" are eligible to participate in the AFC Cup qualifying play-off.

[11] After the rebrand in 2024, the new format comprised 18 participating clubs divided into four groups for the inaugural season.