The FC Barcelona delegation arrived in Jeddah, the "Bride of the Red Sea," to prepare for the Spanish Super Cup, which Saudi Arabia continues to host with resounding success, as part of the ongoing strategic partnership between the Spanish and Saudi Arabian Football Federations. The Catalan team arrived amidst significant media and public attention, and was greeted by a high-level official delegation at King Abdulaziz International Airport, reflecting the renowned Saudi hospitality and the warm welcome extended to major international clubs.
Fiery clashes await Spanish football fans
The highly anticipated edition of the tournament is set to kick off on January 7th, with Barcelona beginning their title defense against Athletic Bilbao in the first semi-final at the Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah. The Blaugrana will be looking to confirm their dominance and advance to the final. Meanwhile, on the other side of the bracket, the world's attention will be focused on the exciting Madrid derby on Thursday evening, January 8th, as Real Madrid clash with their fierce rivals, Atlético Madrid, at 10:00 PM Mecca time, in a highly anticipated match where a draw is not an option.
Saudi Arabia is a global destination for sports
Hosting this tournament is part of the Kingdom's ambitious "Vision 2030" strategy, which aims to transform Saudi Arabia into a leading global destination for major sporting events. The Spanish Super Cup is no longer just a football match; it has become a sporting and tourism festival attracting visitors from around the world, thus enhancing the Kingdom's standing on the international sporting map. Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has successfully hosted major events such as Formula 1, world boxing championships, and the Italian Super Cup, demonstrating the readiness of its infrastructure and national workforce to organize even the most complex tournaments.
History of the Spanish Super Cup under its new format
The Spanish Super Cup has undergone a radical transformation since its relocation to Saudi Arabia. Its format has changed from a single match or a two-legged tie between the league and cup champions to a four-team "Final Four" format, significantly increasing the intensity of the competition and the tournament's marketing value. This new system has allowed Saudi and Arab fans the opportunity to watch El Clásico and the Madrid derby more frequently and in stadiums close to home, generating unprecedented public interest in the competition.
Road to the final
The tournament will conclude with the final match on January 11 at the same stadium, where the champion of the new edition will be determined. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation had previously announced that the Kingdom would continue to host the tournament until 2026, with the participation of La Liga giants: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and Athletic Bilbao. It is worth noting that Barcelona enters this tournament with high morale as the defending champions of the previous edition (2025), which was also held in Saudi Arabia, where they defeated their arch-rivals Real Madrid. This places added pressure on them to retain the coveted trophy.
