January 6 – TNT Sports has secured the exclusive UK and Ireland broadcast rights to Spain’s Supercopa through the 2026, 2027, and 2028 editions.
The four-team event, staged midway through the domestic season, starts on Wednesday. It is once again taking place in Saudi Arabia, underlining how European football’s relationship with the Middle East continues to deepen.
The Supercopa has been held in the Gulf state since 2020, following a deal reportedly worth more than €40 million per year to the RFEF. This year’s tournament opens with Barcelona facing Athletic Club, before city rivals Real and Atlético Madrid meet on Thursday in the second semi-final.
It’s been a lucrative few weeks for the RFEF, securing Supercopa deals with L’Équipe in France, Sportdigital in Germany, and the streaming platform Begin in Pakistan, reinforcing the popularity of the competition’s international reach even as it moves further from its domestic roots.
That shift has not been warmly welcomed by players and fans alike. Athletic Bilbao forward Iñaki Williams has been outspoken in his criticism of staging the Supercopa in Saudi Arabia, describing the move as “rubbish” and arguing it is bad for fans, turning the competition into an “away game” and disrupting family time.
Concerns have also been raised beyond the men’s game. Barcelona’s women’s players have publicly protested the decision, citing human rights issues and women’s rights in the country.