Originally known as the Asian Club Championship, the tournament began in 1967 with just eight clubs registered to take part. In 1972, with only two entrants able to take part, the tournament was cancelled. After 1972 the competition went into hiatus but was resurrected again in 1986 and reborn as the Asian Champions Cup. Entry was restricted to domestic champions only, with Cup winners playing in the Asian Cup Winners Cup tournament. The winners of the two major tournaments then played off for the Asian Super Cup. From 2002/03 the Asian Champions Cup and Asian Cup Winners Cup were merged into one competition and was rebranded the AFC Champions League.