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UEFA reportedly has received a final proposal for the long-debated Super League project, a plan that would reshape the Champions League and potentially resolve years of conflict between Europe’s governing body and the continent’s top clubs.
According to Spanish sports daily Mundo Deportivo, the framework was developed in secret over the past eight months through seven rounds of talks involving UEFA, A22 Sports Management—the backers of the Super League—and Spanish powerhouses Barcelona and Real Madrid, with some meetings even taking place inside UEFA headquarters.
The initiative follows the failed Super League attempt of 2021, which sparked widespread backlash. This time, negotiators are seeking a compromise that preserves UEFA’s control while meeting the financial expectations of Europe’s elite clubs.
A key feature of the latest plan is the launch of a global streaming service called UNIFY, designed to make top-level European football accessible worldwide. The platform would offer free ad-supported broadcasts alongside premium subscription options.
Proponents argue that this model could generate greater revenues and attract a broader audience than traditional television deals, while giving fans low-cost access to every match. If accepted, it would mark a major shift in how European football is broadcast and consumed.
The proposed structure maintains the Champions League brand but introduces a bold redesign. The competition would still feature 36 clubs but divided into two groups of 18.
Domestic league performance would continue to determine qualification, preserving the link between national and continental competitions.
The knockout stage would also be modified. The top eight clubs from Group 1 would automatically advance to the round of 16. The remaining slots would be filled through playoff ties, pitting lower-ranked Group 1 teams against challengers from Group 2. From that stage, the format would follow the traditional knockout progression to the final.
Observers note that relations between UEFA and Super League organizers, once deeply strained, have improved considerably. Both sides are said to be motivated to finalize a settlement that avoids another divisive breakaway attempt.
If approved, the revamped competition could debut in 2027, when the current Champions League broadcasting rights expire.
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