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A tournament which is often criticised for off-pitch reasons has become a barometer by which to measure Spain's big two at midseason
The Supercopa, traditionally a two-legged match in August between Spain's league champions and Copa del Rey winners, was expanded in late 2019 to a four-team mini-tournament held each January in Saudi Arabia. This move has drawn significant criticism due to human rights concerns in Saudi Arabia and the inconvenience for fans and players. Athletic Club captain Inaki Williams notably called the arrangement "s**t." The €40 million-a-year deal between the Spanish football federation (RFEF) and the Saudi government was brokered by former Barcelona player Gerard Pique, whose company received a substantial commission. Despite ongoing judicial investigations into potential corruption related to this agreement and concerns from politicians and supporter associations, the current RFEF president Rafael Louzan supports the format, citing the significant financial contribution it provides. The RFEF is reportedly considering an alternative Middle East location for 2027 due to scheduling conflicts.
For Barcelona, the Supercopa serves as a crucial mid-season performance indicator, often predicting their eventual success in La Liga. In five of the past six seasons, the Supercopa winner has gone on to become La Liga champions. For instance, Barcelona's 3-1 victory over Real Madrid in the 2023 final preceded their league title win, while a 4-1 defeat in the 2024 final coincided with former manager Xavi's final season. This year, under Hansi Flick, Barcelona views the tournament as an opportunity to build momentum and address areas needing improvement, especially with a potential 'Clasico' final against Real Madrid, where they would seek to avenge a prior 2-1 league loss. A Supercopa triumph could provide a significant morale boost for the club at all levels.
This year, the Supercopa is considered more critical than ever for Real Madrid, with the future of new head coach Xabi Alonso potentially depending on the team's performance. A defeat, whether in the semi-final against city rivals Atletico Madrid or in a potential final against Barcelona, would intensify scrutiny on Alonso. The updated four-team format and its staging in Saudi Arabia have elevated the tournament's significance, offering increased financial stakes and opportunities for brand growth, which appeals to Madrid's hierarchy. On a sporting level, the mid-season timing and demanding opponents mean results carry more weight than the traditional pre-season format, making it a key moment for coaches and players to prove their capabilities.
Atletico Madrid and Athletic Club are the other two teams competing in the 2026 Supercopa, having finished third and fourth in La Liga respectively. Atletico has been a frequent participant in the Saudi Arabia-based Supercopas, though without significant success, their best being a penalty shootout loss in the 2020 final. A trophy win this year would be timely for Atletico, especially with a potential sale of club shares to an American asset management company, and would be Diego Simeone's first trophy since the 2020-21 La Liga title. Athletic Club notably won the 2021 edition against Barcelona, but players like Inaki Williams continue to criticize the tournament's location due to fan inconvenience and the Spanish federation's prize money distribution, which allegedly favors Real Madrid and Barcelona based on "brand weight." Concerns about the safety and experience of female fans in Saudi Arabia have also been raised.