Melbourne City's first AFC Champions League Elite knockout tie added two fixtures to its early March 2026 schedule. Buriram United were the opponents, with the opening leg set for AAMI Park and the return in Thailand.
The club's fixture announcement put the home game on Tuesday 3 March and the away leg on Tuesday 10 March. A place in the next round would be decided over the two matches.
That timetable gave City a week between the home leg and the return, with international travel to fit around preparation. For supporters, it meant a chance to see knockout Asian club football in Melbourne before following the tie overseas.