About our European Super League news
Latest news on the breakaway European Super League (ESL), a football competition initially proposed to feature 20 clubs, including the Premier League's 'big six'.
The European Super League was proposed to feature Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. These clubs withdrew from the ESL in 2021, following a public backlash. Along with these teams, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid also agreed to join the competition as founders, breaking from European governing body UEFA's established continental tournament, the Champions League (formerly known as the European Cup). In 2026 plans for a European Super League were officially scrapped after Barcelona and Real Madrid - the final two teams pushing for its formation - withdrew their support.
The league was announced in April 2021, via a press release sent out by the founding clubs. The announcement generated widespread condemnation from official football governing bodies across Europe, from fan groups (including Football Supporters Europe, a body representing supporters in 45 UEFA countries), and from media commentators.
The Super League was planned to consist of two groups of 10 clubs each, playing home and away fixtures within the group each year. Following the group stage, eight clubs would qualify for a knockout tournament, playing home and away until the single-match Super League championship. Games would be played midweek.