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Saudi Switch Unlocks a 50x Revenue Boom for Spain's Super Cup

6 January 2026

Saudi Switch Unlocks a 50x Revenue Boom for Spain's Super Cup
Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao featured in the Saudi-hosted edition of the Spanish Super Cup.

Revenue Impact of the Saudi Move

The Spanish Super Cup has seen a remarkable revenue surge since relocating the competition to Saudi Arabia, turning it into a major financial engine for the Spanish Football Federation and the clubs involved.

The 2026 edition kicks off tomorrow in Saudi Arabia and will be broadcast exclusively through the Eight app, the home of the Roshen Saudi League's official coverage.

According to Rafael Lozano, president of the Spanish Football Federation, the tournament's revenue is exploding. He noted that in 2018, held in Morocco, the Super Cup generated roughly $1.17 million, while in the Saudi edition it now surpasses $58.5 million. About half of that goes directly to the participating clubs, with $30.4 million allocated to La Liga's top-tier clubs.

Current revenue streams are estimated at about $31.6 million from sponsorships, $12.9 million from television rights, $11.7 million from services, and around $3.5 million earmarked for travel and lodging costs. These figures illustrate the tournament's growth and its rising international appeal.

And a note on distribution: the federation and clubs share the bounty, while the Saudi-hosted event is expected to boost the appeal of Spanish football worldwide.

Punchline 1: If the Super Cup pays the rent, the players should start paying the mortgage.

Punchline 2: Money talks, but this deal took a longer flight than most players—straight to Riyadh’s inbox.

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Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Spanish Super Cup move to Saudi Arabia?

To leverage a new revenue model and sponsorship opportunities that significantly boost income for the federation and participating clubs.

What are the main revenue streams?

Sponsorships, television rights, services, and travel-related costs are the primary sources of income.

How is revenue shared among stakeholders?

About half goes to the participating clubs, with the rest allocated to the federation and the leagues.

When and where will the next edition take place?

The 2026 edition is hosted in Saudi Arabia and broadcast through the Eight app.