Announcements from A22 Sports or major European networks

European Super League Relaunched as 'Unify League' with 96 Clubs, 2026 Launch Target

Dec 17, 2024, 02:19 PM

The European Super League, initially launched in 2021 and widely criticized, has been rebranded as the 'Unify League' by its promoters, A22 Sports. The new proposal, submitted to UEFA and FIFA, aims to create a merit-based European football competition. The Unify League plans to feature 96 clubs across four tiers: Star, Gold, Blue, and Union. The top two tiers will each include 16 clubs, while the lower two tiers will have 32 clubs each. Teams will qualify annually based on their performance in domestic leagues, addressing criticisms of the previous closed-shop format. Matches will be streamed on the Unify Platform for free with advertisements or through a subscription model offering advanced features. The league's organizers claim the format promotes inclusivity and financial sustainability, with a target launch in 2026. The proposal also includes £330 million in solidarity payments and a women's competition with similar structures. A22's initiative seeks to rival UEFA's Champions League, though it faces skepticism from UEFA and other football organizations. The proposal follows a European Court ruling that challenges UEFA's ability to block rival competitions. Real Madrid remains a key supporter of the project.