Published on November 14th, 2025
Location: Global
Dates Confirmed as ASEAN Hyundai Cup™ Celebrates 30th Anniversary in 2026
Singapore, November 14 - The ASEAN Championship, the jewel in the crown for Southeast Asia’s national teams and now named the ASEAN Hyundai Cup™ 2026 after its new title partner, will celebrate its 30th anniversary next July and August when the 11 top national teams from across the region face off for the coveted title of Champions of ASEAN.
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The 2026 edition will be the 16th time the member associations of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) have gone head-to-head to be crowned Champions of ASEAN in the biennial regional competition since the inaugural championship was played in Singapore in 1996.
Global smart mobility leader Hyundai Motor Company will sponsor the event for the first time as Vietnam attempt to retain the title they claimed last year with a 5-3 aggregate victory over Thailand in the final.
Under the agreement concluded by the AFF’s exclusive commercial partner SPORTFIVE, Hyundai is also a Presenting Partner of three other major ASEAN football championships - the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™, the ASEAN Women’s MSIG Serenity Cup™ and ASEAN U-23 Championship™, which together with the Hyundai Cup™, are collectively branded ASEAN United FC.
The Official Draw for the ASEAN Hyundai Cup™ 2026 will be conducted next year at a date to be announced with the Play-offs to determine the final Group Stage line-up to be held on a home-and-away basis on June 2 and 9. The 10-nation Group Stage will commence on July 24 and run until August 8, with matches to be played in a single round-robin format throughout the region. The home-and-away Knockout Rounds will commence on August 15 and conclude on August 26.
Major General Khiev Sameth, President, AFF said: “The ASEAN Hyundai Cup™ stands as Southeast Asia’s premier international football competition, and we are delighted to confirm the dates for its next edition as the tournament marks its 30th anniversary which is a truly significant milestone in its evolution.
“We are deeply grateful to our supporters across the region who have demonstrated unwavering passion for and devotion to this tournament since its inception in 1996. We look forward to honouring the Hyundai Cup™’s distinguished heritage with millions of ASEAN fans along with our new title partner, Hyundai Motor Company, as we continue our journey to elevate the competition into a major international event and further strengthen its powerful legacy for the decades to come.”
Sunny Kim, President of Hyundai Motor Asia Pacific said: “At Hyundai, we believe football is more than just a sport, it’s a powerful platform that unites and empowers communities, reflecting our vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’. With over 26 years of global football legacy, Hyundai is proud to partner with the AFF as the title partner of the Hyundai Cup™, marking the tournament’s 30th anniversary, a celebration of legacy and progress. With today’s announcement, Hyundai takes another step in its mission to create impact beyond mobility, using the power of football to unite and inspire millions across ASEAN.”
Learn more about the ASEAN United FC events at https://aseanutdfc.com/ and @aseanutdfc on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, X and LinkedIn.
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About SPORTFIVE
SPORTFIVE is a global sports marketing agency that delivers customer-centric solutions based on trust and transparency, deep industry experience and global relationships, digital intelligence and innovation. SPORTFIVE strategically and creatively connects brands, rightsholders, media platforms and fans to create and enable contemporary partnerships in sports.
While creating and growing long-term value for all, SPORTFIVE often leads the sports business into the future through innovative digital solutions and strives to be the most progressive and respected partner in sports.
Being at the centre of professional sport SPORTFIVE will use its unique position, in order to make a positive contribution to sustainability and to live up to the social and economic duty and responsibility, which sport and consequently all parties involved, also have. SPORTFIVE operates with a global mindset and network of over 1,200 local experts based in 15 countries around the world, active in Football, Golf, Handball, Motorsport, Esports, Cricket, Tennis, American Football, Basketball, Hockey, Rugby, Olympics and Multi-Sport Events, Wintersports and many more.
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About Hyundai Motor Asia Pacific Headquarter
Hyundai Motor Asia Pacific (HMAP) operates as the regional arm of Hyundai Motor Company, committed to advancing the future of mobility and fostering an EV ecosystem across the region. Extending across Southeast Asia and the Pacific, HMAP actively supports and collaborates with its subsidiaries in promoting and selling a diverse range of vehicles. Our regional network includes sales subsidiaries, manufacturing plants, and distributor partners.
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About ASEAN Football Federation (AFF)
Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the AFF is the sub-regional governing body of football in the ASEAN region, and part of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA. Founded in 1984, the AFF has 12 Member Associations – Australia, Brunei DS, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. The organisation administers football in Southeast Asia and manages its regional competitions which include the ASEAN Hyundai Cup™, ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™, ASEAN Women’s MSIG Serenity Cup™ and ASEAN U-23 Mandiri Cup™ 2025 among others.
Press contacts
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David Rothenhaeuser
Vice President and Head of Global Marketing Communications
david.rothenhaeuser@sportfive.com
