For the AFC Champions League 2012, some of the criteria include having a league that has at least 12 teams in the top division, no fewer than 33 matches a season per team, and a minimum of 20 players under professional contracts at each club.

Average paying attendance should also be 5,000.

The AFC Cup competitions in 2011 and 2012 must features MAs that have at least eight teams in the top division, each playing a minimum of 14 matches over a six-month season.

Countries taking part in the President’s Cup in 2011 and 2012 must have no fewer than six elite teams, each playing 10 matches over a four-month season.