The 2026 UEFA Super Cup will be the 51st edition of European football’s prestigious annual showdown between champions, contested on 12 August 2026 at Red Bull Arena (Stadion Salzburg) in Salzburg, Austria.
The competition will feature the winners of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League and the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League, competing for continental supremacy in a single-match format.
This represents the first UEFA Super Cup to be held in Austria and marks a historic occasion for Austrian football.
Paris Saint-Germain are the current title holders, having defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 on penalties in the 2025 UEFA Super Cup at Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy.
The match ended 2-2 after regular time, making the 2025 edition only the second Super Cup decided by penalties since its move to a single-match format in 1998.
2026 UEFA Super Cup Tournament Format & Rules
Match Structure
The UEFA Super Cup operates under a straightforward single-match format:
- Duration: 90 minutes of regular playing time (two 45-minute halves)
- Venue: Neutral stadium selected by UEFA Executive Committee
- Participants: Champions League winner (designated as “home” team administratively) vs. Europa League winner
Extra Time & Penalties
If the score remains level after 90 minutes:
- Two 15-minute periods of extra time are played
- If teams remain tied after extra time, a penalty shoot-out determines the winner
- Teams may name up to 12 substitutes, with a maximum of 5 substitutions during the match (across 3 substitution opportunities)
Team Requirements
Each club must:
- Field their strongest possible squad
- Arrive at the venue the evening before the match
- Observe UEFA safety and security regulations
- Play 18 players on the match sheet (11 starters, 7 substitutes)
Venue: Red Bull Arena, Salzburg
Stadium Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Stadium Name | Red Bull Arena / Stadion Salzburg |
| Location | Salzburg, Wals-Siezenheim, Austria |
| Capacity | 30,071 (for European matches) |
| Home Club | FC Red Bull Salzburg |
| Opened | 2003 |
| UEFA Designation | Category 4 Stadium |
| Previous UEFA Events | 3 group stage matches at UEFA Euro 2008 |
Significance
- Historic First: First UEFA Super Cup ever held in Austria
- Regional Importance: First major European final in Salzburg
- Broader Context: Seventh major European club final held in Austria (previous six were in Vienna: four European Cup/Champions League finals in 1964, 1987, 1990, 1995; one Cup Winners’ Cup final in 1970; one UEFA Cup first leg in 1994)
- Local Pride: UEFA recognized FC Salzburg’s consistent professional hosting of European matches and the venue’s reliability
Accessibility & Infrastructure
Salzburg’s central European location (near Munich, Germany, approximately 2 hours by car) offers excellent accessibility for supporters from across the continent. The city’s established UEFA Euro 2008 infrastructure ensures world-class organizational capabilities.
Match Date & Timing
- When: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
- Kick-off Time: To be confirmed (typically 20:00 or 21:00 CET for UEFA Super Cup matches)
The match takes place at the beginning of the 2026-27 domestic season across Europe, serving as a traditional season opener for continental club football.
Qualified Teams & Potential Participants
As of January 21, 2026, the finalists will be determined by the outcomes of the 2025-26 finals:
| Competition | Final Date | Venue | Winner (TBD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champions League Final | 30 May 2026 | Puskás Aréna, Budapest | — |
| Europa League Final | 20 May 2026 | Beşiktaş Park, Istanbul | — |
Current League Phase Leaders (Potential Favourites)
Champions League:
- Real Madrid (leading offensive record; 6 Champions League titles)
- Arsenal (strong defensive performances)
- Manchester City (defending semi-finalist legacy)
Europa League:
- Aston Villa (23.3% predicted probability of winning)
- AS Roma (13.0% predicted probability)
- Lyon (11.4% predicted probability)
- Nottingham Forest (10.2% predicted probability)
Historical Context & Records
Most Successful Clubs in UEFA Super Cup History
| Club | Wins | Runners-up | Key Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 6 | 3 | 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2024 |
| Barcelona | 5 | 4 | 1992, 1997, 2009, 2011, 2015 |
| AC Milan | 5 | 2 | 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007 |
| Liverpool | 4 | 2 | 1977, 2001, 2005, 2019 |
| Atlético Madrid | 3 | 0 | 2010, 2012, 2018 |
| Chelsea | 2 | 3 | 1998, 2021 |
| Bayern Munich | 2 | 3 | 2013, 2020 |
National Performance
- Spain: 17 wins (Real Madrid 6, Barcelona 5, Atlético 3, Valencia 2, Sevilla 1)
- England: 10 wins (Liverpool 4, Chelsea 2, Manchester United 1, Manchester City 1, Aston Villa 1)
- Italy: 9 wins (AC Milan 5, Juventus 2, others)
Notable Individual Records
Most UEFA Super Cup Wins (Players)
| Player | Wins | Appearances | Club(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dani Carvajal | 5 | 6 | Real Madrid |
| Luka Modrić | 5 | 6 | Real Madrid |
| Dani Alves | 4 | 5 | Sevilla, Barcelona |
| Karim Benzema | 4 | 5 | Real Madrid |
| Toni Kroos | 4 | 5 | Bayern Munich, Real Madrid |
| Paolo Maldini | 4 | 5 | AC Milan |
Coaching Records
| Coach | Wins | Notable Clubs |
|---|---|---|
| Carlo Ancelotti | 5 | AC Milan (2003, 2007), Real Madrid (2014, 2022, 2024) |
| Josep Guardiola | 4 | Barcelona (2009, 2011), Bayern Munich (2013), Manchester City (2023) |
| Luis Enrique | 3 | Barcelona (2015), Paris Saint-Germain (2025) |
Prize & Significance
Competitive Value
While the UEFA Super Cup carries less prize money than Champions League or Europa League finals, it offers immense prestige as the season’s opening ceremonial match between continental champions. Winners gain:
- Bragging rights as holders of both European titles (shared with their respective competitions)
- UNESCO recognition and global media exposure
- Automatic qualification for the following season’s UEFA Super Cup (if relevant)
- Historical significance in the club’s trophy cabinet
Cultural Importance
The Super Cup serves as a bridge between the previous season’s club competitions and the upcoming domestic campaign, making it a statement of intent for the new season. Teams arriving as champions signal their ambitions for the upcoming league and European competitions.
UEFA Super Cup Venue Rotation
The competition has rotated venues since 1998, reflecting UEFA’s commitment to developing football infrastructure across the continent:
Recent & Upcoming Venues:
- 2023: Stadion Georgios Karaiskakis, Athens, Greece
- 2024: Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw, Poland
- 2025: Stadio Friuli, Udine, Italy
- 2026: Red Bull Arena, Salzburg, Austria
- 2027: (To be announced)
Austrian Football & the Super Cup
Historic Context
Austria’s appointment as host marks a 16-year gap since the last UEFA final in the country. The 2010 UEFA Europa League Final was held at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna, won by Atlético Madrid.
The 2026 Super Cup represents a return to hosting UEFA’s elite club competitions and reflects Salzburg’s rise as a consistent UEFA competition host through FC Red Bull Salzburg’s sustained European presence.
Regional Impact
Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) chairman Josef Pröll expressed pride in hosting: “It is an immense honor and privilege for the UEFA Super Cup 2026 to be hosted in Salzburg… We are dedicated to being exemplary hosts and ensuring our international guests experience an unforgettable football celebration.”
What to Expect from 2026 UEFA Super Cup
The 2026 UEFA Super Cup will deliver a high-octane 90-minute spectacle featuring:
- Star-studded lineups from the Champions League and Europa League winning squads
- Tactical variation, as both finalists will have proven their championships across either an 8-match league phase (Europa League) or the traditional knockout format (Champions League)
- International flavour, showcasing multiple European nationalities competing at the highest club level
- Season-opening narrative, with winning performances setting the tone for the 2026-27 domestic campaigns
The venue in Austria ensures picturesque mountain surroundings, world-class facilities, and an enthusiastic host nation eager to showcase its football infrastructure to a global audience.
