Real Madrid Officially Ends European Super League Project After Agreement With UEFA

Clubs (EFC) brought years of legal disputes to a close. The announcement, made on February 11, 2026, confirms that all parties have agreed to collaborate “for the good of European club football,” reaffirming their commitment to sporting merit and the sustainability of continental competitions.

Real Madrid released a joint statement alongside UEFA and the EFC explaining that the agreement in principle will resolve all pending legal conflicts related to the failed Super League initiative. The statement emphasized improving the fan experience through technological innovation, increased transparency, and stronger governance within existing European competitions.

The European Super League was initially launched in April 2021 as a breakaway competition involving 12 elite European clubs, led prominently by Real Madrid. However, widespread backlash from supporters, domestic leagues, governing bodies, and political leaders forced most participating clubs to withdraw within days. In the years that followed, Real Madrid remained one of the final defenders of the proposal after other major clubs, including FC Barcelona, distanced themselves from the initiative.

The newly announced agreement highlights respect for “the principle of sporting merit,” signaling that Europe’s top clubs will continue to compete within the framework of the UEFA Champions League and other established tournaments rather than pursuing a parallel closed competition.

By reaching this settlement, Real Madrid and UEFA avoid prolonged litigation in European courts — a legal battle that could have lasted years and carried significant financial consequences. Both sides agreed that the shared principles outlined in the deal will settle any remaining disputes connected to the Super League project.

Football analysts view this development as a victory for the traditional European football model, which prioritizes qualification through domestic league performance rather than guaranteed participation based on historical prestige or financial power.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas also welcomed the resolution, reiterating that a limited, closed competition without open qualification “was never sustainable.” His remarks reinforce the broader defense of merit-based structures that define European football.

This moment closes one of the most controversial chapters in modern European football history. The Super League saga sparked global debate over governance, financial sustainability, and the balance of power between clubs and institutions.

With the European Super League officially buried, focus now returns fully to the UEFA Champions League and the traditional competitive system that continues to shape club football across the continent.