In April 2021, plans to create a new breakaway competition called the European Super League were brought to light.
However, it was halted due to fans’ uproar, and threats from UEFA to any club that would register into the competition.
This prompted A22 Sports- the organizers behind the tourney, to take the case to the European Court of Justice.
On December 22, 2023, the European Super League won the trial after the ECJ made the verdict that stated UEFA acted against the competition rules.
Here is the new proposed European Super League format:
Bernd Reichart, chief executive of European Super League organizers A22, revealed the new changes rendered on the tournament.
The men’s group stage, dubbed the “league stage,” would feature 64 European clubs grouped into three tiers: Star, Gold, and Blue.
The Star would consist of 16 clubs divided into two teams of eight.
Gold, the second division, would be the same.
Blue, the third league, would consist of 32 clubs divided into four groups of eight.
Every league would play 14 games every season, seven at home and seven away.
The women’s league stage would include 32 European clubs split into two tiers: Star and Gold. Each league, like the men’s, would have 16 clubs divided into two teams of eight.
The top four teams in each group in the Star and Gold league for both the men’s and women’s tournaments advance to the quarterfinals.
In the men’s Blue League, there would also be an eight-team knockout round, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals.
There will be two-leg quarterfinals and semifinals in every knockout stage. The victors of each final would be crowned Star, Gold, or Blue champions, and the finals would take place at a neutral venue.
The teams who place lowest in each of the two groups in the men’s and women’s Star leagues will be demoted to the Gold league.
The two winners in the men’s Gold League would advance to the Star League. The two Gold League groups’ worst teams will be demoted to the Blue League.
The winners of the men’s Blue League would advance to the Gold League. Nevertheless, 20 of the 32 teams will exit the league after their current season, with their replacements determined by how well they do in their home league.
