Process of football’s destruction – Super Cup is changing

For more than half a century, the European Super Cup has been a meeting of titans: Champions League winners facing off against Europa League champions. One night, one trophy, one clear victor. That tradition, however, may soon be at risk.

According to The Telegraph, UEFA is planning a major overhaul. Starting in 2028, the competition could evolve into a four-team mini-tournament. Two semifinals and a final would be played over just a few days. Alongside the Champions League and Europa League winners, two additional clubs might be invited — though who exactly remains uncertain.

The motivation behind this revamp is simple: marketing and global reach. UEFA sees limited growth potential in the current setup. This year’s final between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur (4:3 on penalties) took place in Udine, Italy, in a 25,000-seat stadium. Other venue bidders? None.

In Nyon, where FIFA is headquartered, the consensus is that a grand show demands a bigger stage. As a result, the revamped Super Cup could even be hosted outside Europe, with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, or the USA under consideration. Reports suggest a US agency is scouting financially strong partners worldwide willing to invest heavily in the spectacle.

PSG came from behind to win the Super Cup on penalties

Naturally, this proposal has sparked fan outrage. Critics argue it’s another example of football tradition being sacrificed on the altar of commercialization. They point to Spain, where the national Super Cup has followed a Final Four format in Saudi Arabia since 2020 — generating millions in revenue but leaving fans largely unimpressed.

The UEFA Super Cup has a storied history. First contested in 1972, Ajax Amsterdam claimed the inaugural title. FC Bayern Munich became the first German winner in 2013 and secured their second triumph in 2020.

But under these proposed changes, the competition as we know it may soon be a thing of the past…