<section begin=Format /> The bracket of the qualifying play-offs for each region was determined based on the آسیا قهرمانلار لیگی ۲۰۲۰ of each team, with the team from the higher-ranked association hosting the match. Teams from the same association could not be placed into the same tie. The eight winners of the play-off round (four each from both West Region and East Region) advanced to the آسیا قهرمانلار لیگی ۲۰۲۰ قروپ مرحله‌سی to join the 24 direct entrants. All losers in each round from associations with only play-off slots entered the AFC Cup group stage.<section end=Format />