Group Stage 20 tables — 10 zones, 2 groups of 4 each. Ranking Playoffs 10 zones — deciding 5th–8th place. Promotion Group 10 tables — each zone's top 4, in a new mini-league. Playoff 12 two-legged ties — for 6 of the 16 总决赛 slots. Finals 16 clubs, North/South groups of 8 — 24 Aug to 6 Oct.