The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Sports›Football›UEFA Super Cup
Sports • Football

UEFA Super Cup

The UEFA Super Cup is an annual one-off football match organised by UEFA between the winners of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The UEFA Super Cup is an annual one-off football match organised by UEFA between the winners of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. First officially played in 1973, it serves as a curtain-raiser to the European club season and is decided by a penalty shoot-out if level after normal time.

History

The UEFA Super Cup began as an idea to determine the best club side in Europe, credited to Dutch journalist Anton Witkamp of De Telegraaf. UEFA's first officially recognised edition is the 1973 final, while the first sanctioned matches were played in January 1974.

Format

The competition is a single match between the reigning UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League winners. UEFA stages it at a neutral venue, and penalties are used if the match is tied after normal time.

Winners and records

Real Madrid have won the trophy more often than any other club, with six titles. UEFA statistics also show that European Cup/Champions League holders have won the majority of editions.

Venue and role in the season

The Super Cup has become an annual season-opener for UEFA club competitions. In modern form, it is part of UEFA's August events that mark the start of the European club football season.

Key facts

  • The match is contested by the winners of UEFA's top two club competitions, the Champions League and the Europa League.
  • The competition was created in 1971 by Dutch journalist Anton Witkamp.
  • UEFA officially recognises the first edition as the 1973 final, with the first UEFA-sanctioned matches played in January 1974.
  • Since 1998, the Super Cup has generally been played as a single match at a neutral venue.
  • Real Madrid are the most successful club in the competition with six titles.

Frequently asked questions

What is the UEFA Super Cup?
It is an annual football match between the winners of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
When was it first played?
UEFA officially recognises the first edition as the 1973 final, with the first UEFA-sanctioned matches played in January 1974.
How is the winner decided?
It is a single match; if the score is level after normal time, the title is decided by a penalty shoot-out.
Which club has won it most often?
Real Madrid, with six titles.
Is it always played at the same stadium?
No. It is played at a neutral venue chosen by UEFA.

References

  1. UEFA — https://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/history/
    Supports: Official history, first UEFA-sanctioned matches, origin of the competition
  2. UEFA — https://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/news/0250-0c50f14137c9-6f76019cc486-1000--uefa-super-cup-format-and-venues/
    Supports: Current format, one-off fixture, neutral venue, penalty shoot-out rule
  3. UEFA — https://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/news/0250-0c5116ce3025-fa215963bb70-1000--uefa-super-cup-records-and-statistics/
    Supports: Records and statistics, including Champions League holders' wins
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Super_Cup
    Supports: Organiser, founded date, region, team count, current champions, most titles