Real Madrid has formally abandoned its European Super League project following a joint agreement with UEFA and the European Football Clubs association. The announcement, made on February 11, 2026, resolves ongoing legal disputes and emphasizes sporting merit and sustainability in European football. Barcelona's recent withdrawal left Real Madrid as the last remaining supporter of the breakaway competition.
Real Madrid and UEFA reach agreement to close Super League chapter
On February 11, 2026, Real Madrid, UEFA, and the European Football Clubs (EFC) association issued a joint statement announcing an agreement "for the well-being of European club football." The pact respects the principle of sporting merit, focuses on long-term club sustainability, and aims to enhance the fan experience through technology. It also resolves legal disputes related to the European Super League once implemented.
The Super League project, unveiled in 2021 and led by Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, sought to create a rival tournament to the UEFA Champions League with permanent spots for top clubs. Original backers included Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, AC Milan, Arsenal, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur. The initiative collapsed within days due to widespread fan protests, opposition from domestic leagues, and UEFA, which argued it would undermine competitive balance.
Several clubs withdrew quickly amid backlash, including the English sides. Juventus followed later, leaving the Spanish clubs as the primary holdouts. Barcelona announced its departure last weekend via a statement on its official website: "FC Barcelona informs that today it has officially notified the European Super League Company and the clubs that have been part of it of its disassociation from the European Super League project." This left Real Madrid as the sole remaining proponent.
The agreement follows months of discussions and meetings, including final talks in Brussels on February 10 and 11 involving UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and European Clubs Association chair Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. It ends Real Madrid's damages claim against UEFA for alleged abuse of dominant position. Meanwhile, UEFA's revamped Champions League format, introduced in response to the Super League threat, has increased revenues to over €4.5 billion annually, benefiting many of the original plotters who now participate in the expanded competition.
This development marks the final closure of a saga that once threatened to fracture European football, allowing clubs to refocus on established structures.
