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Why the Spanish Super Cup plays in Saudi Arabia

BBC Sport •
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The Spanish Super Cup will again be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for its 2026 edition. Since 2019, a lucrative deal has secured the tournament's Middle Eastern location, extending through 2029. The Spanish Football Federation receives an undisclosed financial payment for hosting rights. This arrangement, disrupted only once by the pandemic, prioritizes revenue over traditional venues.

A four-team format now features La Liga's top two and the Copa del Rey finalists. Barcelona and Real Madrid meet in the final on January 11 after dominant semi-final wins. This expanded bracket, moved to January to avoid club pre-seasons, guarantees marquee matchups and doubles the revenue potential compared to the old two-team summer format.

However, the location sparks significant backlash. Players like Inaki Williams and Unai Simon lament the lack of fan presence, noting most supporters cannot afford the trip. Many fans view the event as disconnected from Spanish culture, calling it a 'scam' compared to European competition. The prize money, reportedly £19.9m, is distributed unevenly based on history and TV audiences.