Newcastle Jets’ second foray into the AFC Champions League Elite will see them face off against two Isuzu UTE A-League greats in the form of Kevin Muscat and Nick Montgomery.
In what is their first appearance in Asian football’s premiere competition since 2009, Mark Milligan’s side will face FIVE Japanese sides as well as Muscat’s Chinese Champions Shanghai Port.
Furthermore, the Jets will also travel to China to go head-to-head with A-Leagues Champion Nick Montgomery’s Beijing FC.
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Newcastle gained entry to the ACL Elite care of their inaugural Isuzu UTE A-League Premiership triumph in season 2025/26.
With the draw in Kuala Lumpar completed on Tuesday evening Australian time, the Jets now know their full fixture list, and it’s certainly going to be a steep learning curve for Milligan’s young side.
Who have they been drawn against?
Home:
– Shanghai Port (CHN)
– Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)
– Kashiwa Reysol (JPN)
– Gamba Osaka (JPN)
Away:
– Kashima Antlers (JPN)
– Vissel Kobe (JPN)
– Beijing FC (CHN)
– Kyoto Sanga (JPN)
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Each participating side will play eight games – four at home and four away – and the Jets’ home matches will see them play A-Leagues great Muscat’s Shanghai Port, Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta’zim as well as J1 League opposition in the form of Kashiwa Reysol and Gamba Osaka.
With regards to their away games, Milligan’s men will be racking up plenty of air miles as they face THREE trips to Japan.
Already facing two home games against Japanese opposition, the Jets will also face J1 League sides Kashima Antlers, Vissel Kobe and Kyoto Sanga, whilst also travelling to China to take on Monty’s Beijing FC.
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When will the games be played?
When it comes to the ACL Elite, Newcastle will compete in an expanded tournament this season, with four more clubs set to feature in both the Western and Eastern zones.
Following the conclusion of the respective draws on Tuesday, the first ACL Elite matchday will be on September 14 and will conclude by the start of December.
What prize money is on offer?
When it comes to the ACL Elite, the Newcastle Jets are will receive a very handy sum just for qualifying.
Each participating club in the League Stage of the ACL Elite shall receive a participation fee of $800,000 USD – that works out to be just over $1.1 million AUD!
Furthermore, the Jets will also receive $100,000 USD PER WIN (that’s roughly $114,000 AUD) – and they play EIGHT league stage matches.
If they qualify for the Round of 16 then the Jets will net themselves an additional $200,000 USD. If they get to the quarter-finals it’s a further $400,000 USD and then a semi-final berth is worth a whopping $600,000 USD.
And for the winner of the competition? Well that will see one club earn themselves $10 million USD!
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