Understanding the UEFA Super Cup: Format, History, and 2026 Contenders
The UEFA Super Cup is an annual football match organized by the European governing body for football. It takes place at the start of the club season and features a clash between the winners of the previous season's UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. This event serves as the opening showcase for the new European club campaign, often held in mid-August.
Is the UEFA Super Cup considered a major trophy?
The Super Cup isn't the most prestigious trophy in Europe but still holds significant value. Clubs qualify for it only by winning a major European competition the previous year, making the silverware a respected prize across the continent, despite its showcase nature.
Which teams will compete in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup?
The 2026 edition will feature Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), who secured their second consecutive Champions League title last season, and Aston Villa, the Europa League champions for the 2025/26 season. Aston Villa returns to the Super Cup for the first time since 1982, when they triumphed over Barcelona in a two-legged format.
How does the UEFA Super Cup format work?
Since 1998, the Super Cup has been contested as a single match rather than two legs. Starting from 2024, if the game ends in a draw after 90 minutes, it goes straight to a penalty shootout without any extra time. This change was made to reduce strain on players early in the season.
Penalty shootouts and extra time
Prior to 2024, tied matches moved to 30 minutes of extra time before penalties. Now, the shootout happens immediately after regular time finishes if the scores are level.
List of recent UEFA Super Cup winners
- 2025: Paris Saint-Germain 2-2 Tottenham (5-4 on penalties)
- 2024: Real Madrid 2-0 Atalanta
- 2023: Manchester City 1-1 Sevilla (5-4 on penalties)
- 2022: Real Madrid 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt
- 2021: Chelsea 1-1 Villarreal (6-5 on penalties)
- 2020: Bayern Munich 2-1 Sevilla (after extra-time)
- 2019: Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea (5-4 on penalties)
- 2018: Atletico Madrid 4-2 Real Madrid (after extra-time)
- 2017: Real Madrid 2-1 Manchester United
- 2016: Real Madrid 3-2 Sevilla (after extra-time)
Historical overview of UEFA Super Cup winners
The Super Cup began in 1974 as a two-legged contest between the European Cup and Cup Winners' Cup champions. Over time, it evolved into the one-match format we know today. Legendary clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Milan, and Liverpool have frequently lifted this trophy.
- 1974: Ajax defeated Milan 6-1 aggregate
- 1982: Aston Villa beat Barcelona 3-1 aggregate
- 1996: Juventus overcame PSG 9-2 aggregate
- 2000: Galatasaray won 2-1 with a golden goal against Real Madrid
- 2015: Barcelona edged Sevilla 5-4 after extra-time
This trophy continues to mark the beginning of the European club football season, showcasing the reigning continental champions in a thrilling contest.
