KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) will receive US$800,000 (RM3.5 million) for securing a spot in the Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE), while Selangor will earn US$300,000 (RM1.3 million) for advancing to the Asian Champions League 2 (ACL2) this season.
Under the revamped format, teams will earn triple the amount compared to previous seasons.
The ACLE champions will take home a staggering US$12 million (RM53 million), while the ACL2 winners will receive US$2.5 million (RM11 million).
During the draw ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, AFC general secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John Paul said: "The league stage will be more thrilling with matches between top-ranked clubs. The champions will be crowned in May next year."
JDT, Malaysia's sole representative in the ACLE, stand to earn even more if they progress further.
Advancing to the round of 16 would net the Southern Tigers an additional RM885,600, with further progression to the quarter-finals adding RM1.77 million, and reaching the semi-finals would bring in RM2.65 million.
If JDT make it to the final, they will receive RM17.7 million.
JDT CEO Alistair Edwards is optimistic about the club's chances, highlighting new foreign signings as a key factor.
The club plan to register South Korean Park Jun Heong, Spaniards Iker Undabarrena, Eddy Israfilov, and Christian Abad, along with Frenchman Enzo Lombardo, during the transfer window.
"We've pinpointed areas for improvement, and our main goal is to challenge ourselves, making Johor and Malaysia proud," said Edwards.
JDT will begin their ACLE campaign against China's Shanghai Port FC on Sept 18, followed by a home game against Shanghai Shenhua (China) at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Oct 1.
Their remaining fixtures include matches against Gwangju FC (South Korea) on Oct 22 in Gwangju, Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea) on Nov 5 in Iskandar Puteri, Shandong Taishan (China) on Nov 26 in Jinan, and Buriram United (Thailand) on Dec 3.
Selangor, in the ACL2, will earn an additional RM354,240 for reaching the round of 16, RM708,480 for the quarter-finals, and RM1 million for the semi-finals.
The winner of ACL2 will pocket RM11 million, while the runners-up will receive RM4.4 million.
Selangor are in Group H with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (South Korea), Thailand's Muangthong United, and Dynamic Herb Cebu from the Philippines.
The Red Giants will kick off their campaign against Muangthong at the Thunderdome Stadium in Nonthaburi on Sept 19.
Selangor CEO Dr. Johan Kamal Hamidon said, "We believe we can maximise our potential with the current players in the ACL2."