Features

Supercopa de Espana heads to Saudi Arabia

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced that the next three editions of its Supercopa de España will be held in Saudi Arabia.

From 2020, the Supercopa will be a four-team tournament in a change from its current format, which sees the winners of the previous season’s LaLiga and Copa del Rey compete in a two-legged final.

The host venue for the first Supercopa in Saudi Arabia has not been confirmed but reports have claimed that Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium will stage the competition from January 8-12. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and Valencia have been confirmed as the four teams that will compete in the first edition of the revamped tournament.

The RFEF hopes the deal with Saudi Arabia will support Spain’s plans to bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, adding that the winter date for the Supercopa will aid teams’ pre-season preparations.

Women in Saudi Arabia will be permitted to attend the Supercopa matches unrestricted, the RFEF confirmed. The topic has been in the spotlight recently and last month, female football fans in neighbouring Iran snapped up all 3,500 tickets for the men’s national team game against Cambodia. Iranian women have been banned from entering football stadia for men’s matches for the past 40 years.

The RFEF has also committed to using some of the revenue generated from the deal towards non-professional football in Spain.

The Supercopa becomes the latest major sporting event awarded to Saudi Arabia. Last week it was confirmed that this year’s Supercoppa Italiana will be held in the country, while next month Diriyah will host the heavyweight boxing rematch between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr.

Image: RFEF