ASEAN Championship, now officially branded the ASEAN Hyundai Cup™ 2026, is gearing up for a historic celebration as Southeast Asia’s most prestigious football tournament marks its 30th anniversary next July and August. Eleven national teams from across the region will compete for the ultimate prize — the title of Champions of ASEAN.
The upcoming edition will be the 16th staging of the biennial tournament since its inaugural event in Singapore in 1996, a milestone that underscores its growth into a cultural and sporting icon for the region. The 2026 competition will also welcome a new major partner, as global smart mobility leader Hyundai Motor Company joins as title sponsor for the first time.
Reigning champions Vietnam will enter the tournament looking to defend the crown they secured last year with a thrilling 5-3 aggregate victory over Thailand in the final — one of the most memorable championship duels in recent AFF history.
The Official Draw for the ASEAN Hyundai Cup™ 2026 will take place next year, with the date to be announced by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF).
Play-Off Round: June 2 & June 9, 2026 Two-legged, home-and-away format to determine the final team for the Group Stage.
Group Stage (10 Nations): July 24 – August 8, 2026 Single round-robin format hosted across Southeast Asia.
Knockout Rounds (Home & Away): Semi-finals and Final: August 15 – August 26, 2026
The format maintains the tradition of intense home-and-away knockout battles that have historically produced some of the region’s most dramatic football nights.
Major General Khiev Sameth, President of AFF, emphasized the significance of the tournament’s 30-year legacy:
“The ASEAN Hyundai Cup™ stands as Southeast Asia’s premier international football competition. Confirming the dates for the next edition as we mark the 30th anniversary is a truly significant milestone.
We are deeply grateful to fans across ASEAN for their unwavering passion since the tournament’s inception in 1996. With Hyundai as our new title partner, we aim to elevate the competition into a major global event while strengthening its powerful legacy for decades to come.”
Sunny Kim, President of Hyundai Motor Asia Pacific, said the company is honoured to support the landmark edition of the tournament:
“Football is more than just a sport — it’s a force that unites and empowers communities, aligning with Hyundai’s vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’.
Partnering with the AFF for the Hyundai Cup™ on its 30th anniversary is a celebration of legacy and progress. Through this partnership, Hyundai aims to create impact beyond mobility by using the power of football to inspire millions across ASEAN.”
With a historic anniversary, a new global title sponsor, and rising competition across the region, the ASEAN Hyundai Cup™ 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated editions in the tournament’s three-decade history.
Credit Photo : ASEAN United
