European Super League is BACK in new £2.7BILLION ‘Unify League’ format… and it could replace Champions League
A new attempt to revolutionize European football has arrived. More than three years after the dramatic collapse of the original European Super League, promoters A22 have unveiled a fresh, rebranded project called The Unify League, aiming to address past criticisms and reshape continental club competitions by 2026.
What Is the Unify League?
The Unify League proposes a tiered structure featuring 96 clubs across four competitions:
- Star League (Top tier)
- Gold League (Second tier)
- Blue and Union Leagues (Third and fourth tiers)
Each of the top two leagues would feature 16 teams split into two groups of 8, with home-and-away fixtures. The third and fourth levels will have four leagues of eight clubs each.
In contrast to the original Super League, where clubs like Real Madrid, Juventus, and the English “Big Six” were guaranteed entry, the Unify League is merit-based. Club qualification will depend on domestic performance the prior season, making it an “inclusive and competitive” alternative to the current UEFA structure.
Premier League’s Role and Path to Entry
Under the proposal:
- The Premier League would be granted three automatic places in the Star League,
- Two in the Gold League, and
- Up to five teams could qualify for the Blue and Union competitions.
Additional spots would be filled via play-off rounds, with winning clubs earning promotion to the next tier the following season.
Format and Calendar
The proposed competition format includes:
- 14 league matches per team (September to April)
- Top four from each group advance to two-legged quarterfinals
- Semifinals and final played in a “Final Four” week with single-leg games
A22 is targeting a September 2026 launch, although no official start date has been confirmed.
Prize Pool and Streaming Innovation
One of the biggest promises of the Unify League is its massive prize fund. While exact figures remain unconfirmed, A22 claims:
- £330 million in solidarity payments to smaller clubs and less wealthy nations
- An overall prize pool exceeding the Champions League’s £2bn and far surpassing the Europa and Conference Leagues’ combined £700m
The league will be shown on a new direct-to-fan streaming service, dubbed Unify:
- A free, ad-supported version will be available
- A premium, subscription-based option will offer added features
A22 promises a simplified and enhanced viewing experience that reduces the need for multiple subscriptions.
Seeking UEFA and FIFA Recognition
A22 has submitted the proposal to both UEFA and FIFA for official recognition. The company cited the European Court of Justice’s December 2023 ruling, which stated that any meritocratic, calendar-compliant competition can be established independently of UEFA.
Despite this, the competition is a club-led effort to rival UEFA, echoing how the Premier League broke away from the Football League in 1992.
Controversy and Fan Backlash
Despite addressing many concerns from the failed 2021 Super League—such as guaranteed entry and closed structures—the new Unify League has already been met with heavy scepticism from football fans.
Reactions on social media have been largely negative:
- “Perez doesn’t take no for an answer, does he?”
- “Rubbish, no one wants this. Stop this nonsense now.”
- “Massive waste of everyone’s time. As useless as the new World Club Cup.”
- “At least the Super League sounded good. This is awful marketing.”
Political Resistance and the Independent Regulator
In the UK, the Independent Football Regulator, currently making its way through Parliament, includes provisions to block English clubs from joining breakaway competitions. This legislation was initially introduced in response to the Super League and enjoys bipartisan support.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously vowed to drop a “legislative bombshell” to protect the English football pyramid, and similar political opposition could emerge if top-flight English clubs show renewed interest in the new proposal.
A22’s Statement on Reform and Sustainability
Bernd Reichart, CEO of A22, emphasized that the proposal is not just about elite football, but about long-term sustainability:
“Our extensive engagement with key stakeholders revealed pressing challenges: increasing subscription costs for fans, an overloaded player calendar, insufficient investment in women’s football, and dissatisfaction with the governance of current competitions. Our proposal directly addresses these challenges.”
TL;DR – Key Takeaways
- Unify League aims to replace UEFA’s club competitions with a 96-team, four-tiered league system.
- No guaranteed entries – teams qualify based on domestic performance.
- £330m in solidarity funds and direct-to-fan streaming platform unveiled.
- September 2026 launch goal, pending UEFA and FIFA approval.
- Fans and political bodies remain highly sceptical, with legislation potentially blocking UK clubs from joining.
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