The dispute between the European Super League and UEFA has reignited. According to the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the Super League executives have issued a formal ultimatum to the organization, demanding significant changes to the current structure of the Champions League. The proposal stems from seven confidential meetings held over the past eight months. During these discussions, both parties explored ways to modernize the competition and make it more appealing to a global audience.
As outlined in the proposal, the Super League recommends having the top 18 teams in the European ranking compete in eight matches among themselves, ensuring high-profile clashes right from the initial stages. This redesigned format aims to boost viewership and engagement by showcasing matchups between the most historic and influential clubs in Europe.
New Format and Independent Broadcasting
The Super League’s vision includes implementing a fresh broadcasting model. It plans to launch two standalone platforms: one free with advertisements and another subscription-based streaming service without interruptions. While the Super League would oversee the content, the proposal outlines a direct partnership with UEFA. This partnership marks an unprecedented collaboration, featuring a shared approach to media rights and revenue between the organizations.
Despite the proposed changes, the Champions League would retain its current format of 36 teams in the opening phase.
The proposed alteration entails a significant restructuring: teams would be organized into two distinct groups, ranging from 1st to 18th and from 19th to 36th. Each club would only compete against others within its respective group. As a result, matchups between top-tier teams would occur more frequently, while the so-called “second-tier” teams would engage in their own balanced and competitive battles.
Qualification System and Playoffs
In the proposed framework, the top eight teams in the primary group (1st to 18th) would automatically advance to the Round of 16. Meanwhile, teams finishing between 9th and 16th place would face a playoff stage, where they would compete against the highest-ranked teams from the lower group (19th to 36th). This system aims to offer lower-ranked clubs a chance to upset powerhouses and progress to the decisive stages. The Super League sees this as a vital measure to uphold the competitive and inclusive essence of the Champions League.
Another innovation involves adding two extra teams through ranking. These teams would join the knockout stage, further increasing both the number of games and the tournament’s excitement. According to the Super League, this adjustment would raise the technical quality of the early stages and introduce a new merit-based dynamic, rewarding both performance and historical rankings of the clubs.