European Super League relaunched as 'Unify League' - What is it? How does new format work? When may it take place?

Just over three years have passed since Madrid-based firm A22 Sports Management tried to establish a new 20-team European Super League project, including 15 original members that would be permanently part of competition.

A host of European giants initially signed up to it, including the so-called big-six Premier League clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur).

However, following widespread protests from club supporters and backlash from continental and global governing bodies, the original project completely fell apart within the space of around 72 hours.

A22 Sports Management have remained determined to pursue their dream, though, and felt that UEFA had abused their dominant position in blocking the original competition's formation in 2021, subsequently taking the matter to court.

Last December, the European Court of Justice ruled that old authorisation rules used by UEFA to stamp out the original Super League project were contrary to EU law.

UEFA are now legally obliged to consider other pan-country competitions in Europe, as long as any new proposals are not a closed-league format, and also fit into the current international fixture schedule.

What is the Unify League? - New format explained

Since securing that significant victory in court, A22 Sports Management have worked on fresh plans for a new competition and have announced that they have contacted both UEFA and FIFA to seek official recognition for a new proposal.

The new 'Unify League' would include a whopping 96 European clubs divided across four leagues - Star League (top tier), Gold League (second tier), Blue League (third tier) and Union League (fourth tier).

Both the Star and Gold Leagues would include 16 teams grouped into two pools of eight, while both the Blue and Union Leagues would be comprised of 32 teams grouped into four pools of eight.

Clubs would play each other within their group 14 times in total during the League Phase of the competition, seven games at home and seven games away.

Any clubs that finish inside the top four of their respective groups in the Star and Gold Leagues would qualify for the quarter-finals, while the top two in the Blue and Union Leagues would progress to the last eight.

The latter stages would begin with two-legged home and away quarter-finals, followed by single game semi-finals played at a neutral venue in the same week as the final. The eventual finalists would therefore compete in a total of 18 games.

The winners of the knockout stage will be named the Star, Gold, Blue or Union League champions, while the overall Unify League champion would eventually come from the top-two tiers (Star and Gold Leagues).

When could the Unify League be officially launched? When could it take place?

A22 Sports Management have said that they plan to launch their new competition in 2026 and games would be played between September and April each season, with fixtures to take place in midweek.

What have A22 Sports Management had to say?

A statement from A22 CEO Bernd Reichart read: "A22 is focused on ensuring the sustainable growth and development of football.

"Our extensive engagement with key stakeholders revealed a number of pressing challenges facing the sport including increasing subscription costs for fans, an overloaded player calendar, insufficient investment in women's football, and dissatisfaction with the format and governance of the current pan-European competitions.

Our proposal is designed to directly address these challenges."

A22 have also announced that they plan to set up a new streaming platform offering free-of-charge ad-supported viewing of all Unify League games, as well as "affordable" ad-free premium subscriptions with extra viewing features.

"Now is the time for all stakeholders, including UEFA and FIFA, to bring real innovation that prioritises fan experience and affordability, player welfare and match competitiveness," Reichart added.

"We remain committed to fostering relationships built on mutual respect, transparency, and constructive dialogue. The fans, players, clubs, leagues and other groups that make up the football community deserve nothing less."

Could European clubs swap the Champions League for the Unify League?

Many fans of European clubs are likely to once again protest against this new proposal should it be approved, as they intend to see their teams continue to compete in an established UEFA competition rich in history and prestige.

Football would be nothing without fans and their voices deserved to be heard, but if clubs are to be presented with this new proposal, it may ultimately come down to money.

Clubs will likely weigh up whether there is a bigger prize pot for competing in the Champions League or the proposed Unify League, and decide which competition is more beneficial for them (and hopefully their fans).

At this early stage, there are no immediate indications to suggest that any clubs are intrigued by this new proposal, but it is thought that Real Madrid - who have been avid supporters of a new breakaway Super League for some time - would be interested in signing up.

Written by

Oliver Thomas