Barcelona and Real Madrid involved in secret UEFA–Super League talks | OneFootball

The Super League project has been one of the most contentious issues in European football in the last few years, and the two Spanish giants, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, have been at the forefront of it. Their advocacy for this project has put them directly at loggerheads with organizations like UEFA and La Liga.

However, after years of tension, the main stakeholders, including UEFA, A22 (the company representing the Super League), and the clubs involved (FC Barcelona and Real Madrid), now appear to be moving toward common ground.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the parties have held up to seven secret meetings over the past eight months in search of a mutually beneficial solution.

A ‘Final Peace Proposal‘

These negotiations have reportedly resulted in what is being described as the Super League’s final peace proposal to UEFA. The plan, presented as a reform rather than a breakaway, is built on two key pillars:

This proposal would see the new format implemented in 2027, coinciding with the next Champions League TV rights cycle.

A More Competitive League Phase

The reform focuses primarily on improving the league phase, which has often been criticized for producing unbalanced fixtures. Under the new proposal, the 36 participating clubs would be divided into two groups of 18, based on UEFA’s club rankings.

At the end of the league phase:

This structure is designed to create more exciting and meaningful games throughout the early rounds while preserving the traditional qualification routes through domestic leagues.

UNIFY: A New Global Streaming Platform

A major component of the proposal is UNIFY, a new digital platform envisioned to broadcast the revamped competition worldwide.

UNIFY would feature:

UEFA reportedly views this approach favorably, as it could expand the tournament’s reach and generate new commercial opportunities while maintaining accessibility for global audiences.

From Conflict to Collaboration

The current spirit of cooperation marks a sharp contrast with the hostility that followed the Super League’s failed launch in 2021. Since the European Court of Justice ruling in December 2024, which strengthened the legal standing of alternative competitions, UEFA and A22 have opted for dialogue over confrontation.

Negotiations have focused on three key areas:

As Mundo Deportivo reports, significant progress has been made, and relations between UEFA and the Super League’s main backers, particularly Barcelona and Real Madrid, have improved notably.

Although an official agreement has not yet been reached, the outlook appears far more positive. The proposal could open the door to a unified and modernized Champions League that balances UEFA’s regulatory framework with the Super League’s vision for innovation.

For now, the decision rests with UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon. But with relations thawing and a shared desire to elevate European football, the path toward a ‘Super Champions League‘ in 2027 seems more realistic than ever.