In a revised Super Cup being examined by UEFA, American teams could be invited to compete against Champions League winners.
It is thought that serious talks are underway to replace the present Super Cup with a four-team season-opening event.
This would include the current Champions League and Europa League winners, as well as the winners of the future Europa Conference League competition.
The United States is the main destination under consideration, and one alternative would be to incorporate the host country’s champions – in this example, the winners of Major League Soccer – as the fourth team in the competition.
UEFA’s new English-language US broadcast rights deal for its men’s European club competitions offers a 150% increase over its previous arrangement, with additional money expected from the sale of Spanish-language rights.
It is thought that no meaningful discussions have taken place at this time concerning playing Champions League matches – either group-stage games, knockout matches, or the final – outside of Europe.
However, the idea of a new opening event to replace the Super Cup in 2024 is gaining traction as a way to increase revenue, not just for competing teams but for European football as a whole, by attracting a new audience, with a focus on attracting more families and female fans.
According to sources, all means for accomplishing this will be investigated, including incorporating the matches into a weekend festival or having pop performers play before or during games.
They point out that other sports, such as the NFL playing regular-season games in London, have done it successfully.
Further discussions are planned at the European Club Association’s General Assembly in Istanbul on Thursday and Friday, with the group eager to develop an innovative culture.
Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula One, has been invited to talk at the event about how the sport is attempting to recruit new fans and broaden interest.
In the context of rising interest rates throughout the continent, ECA chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi is poised to send a warning to clubs about unsafe debt levels.
Further discussions will take underway regarding a new financial distribution plan for the redesigned European tournaments after 2024.
