The CONCACAF Champions League is comprised of 24 teams, of which United States and Mexico are granted four berths each. Two teams from each country are seeded into the group phase, while the other two must enter the Preliminary Round. The Caribbean is awarded three berths, determined by the CFU Club Champions Cup and all of which are entered in the Preliminary Round.

Central America comprises the largest contingent of teams in the Champions League, making up half of the 24-team field. Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama are granted two berths each, one of which is entered directly into the Group Stage, the other in the Preliminary Round. El Salvador also gets two teams, both of which are entered in the Preliminary Round. Belize and Nicaragua are granted one berth each which is placed in the Preliminary Round.

Should any Central American team withdraw or be disqualified, its berth is re-allocated by country according to a formula based on the previous year's performance in the Champions League.

Canada receives one berth in the Champions League determined by the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, the winner of which is placed in the Preliminary Round.

The 16 Preliminary Round teams face off in two-leg playoffs. The pairings are determined by draw, which also divides the teams for the Group Stage. No two teams from the same country may play each other in the Preliminary Round or Group Stage.

Two teams from each four-team group advance to the quarterfinals, with each group winner drawn to face a runner-up from one of the other groups. The draw which establishes the quarterfinal pairings also determines the potential semifinal matches.