Real Madrid and UEFA reach agreement to end European Super League project

UEFA, Real Madrid, and the European Football Clubs (EFC) have announced a preliminary agreement to transform European club football, effectively ending the European Super League (ESL) initiative. The deal was reached between presidents Aleksander Čeferin, Florentino Pérez, and Nasser Al-Khelaifi after three months of negotiations. This development follows the official withdrawal of Barcelona on February 7, 2026, which had left Real Madrid as the project's sole remaining supporter. Once the agreement is finalized, all pending legal actions will be dismissed, including a 4.5 billion euro lawsuit filed by Real Madrid and the promoter A22 against UEFA. The parties intend to establish a new framework for European competitions based on mutual consent and the principle of sporting merit. The agreement also emphasizes long-term club sustainability and the enhancement of fan experiences through the use of technology. This resolution concludes a six-year period of legal conflict and organizational estrangement within European football. The transition to the new competition framework will proceed under a unified agreement between all stakeholders.