UEFA Super Cup Unveiled: The Ultimate Showdown's Rich History, Massive Prize Money, and Thrilling Format
Similar to its national counterparts, the UEFA Super Cup has historically struggled to cement its status as a prestigious trophy.
While it's undeniable that both participating clubs must have achieved something monumentally significant to qualify for this annual showpiece, whether the Super Cup itself carries equivalent prestige remains debatable.
Nevertheless, this competition has existed for decades, transforming at the dawn of the 21st century into its current format. The 2025 edition, featuring Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur, who collectively have just one previous appearance, marks the 50th installment, offering rich historical context to explore.
Here's your comprehensive guide to the UEFA Super Cup.
UEFA Super Cup Origins
Dutch journalist Anton Witkamp is primarily credited with establishing this competition in 1971.
Although the European Cup existed, featuring predominantly league champions from throughout Europe, Witkamp sought to create a more demanding test for the dominant Ajax team of that era.
This led to the concept of European Cup victors competing against European Cup Winners' Cup champions. UEFA didn't formally endorse the tournament until 1973, with the inaugural edition, claimed by Ajax, instead backed by Dutch publication De Telegraaf, where Witkamp would eventually serve as sports editor.
The competition was absent in 1974, 1981 and 1985 due to various factors, including fixture conflicts and the European ban on English clubs, but has taken place annually since 1986. It remained a two-match format until 1997, and following the Cup Winners' Cup's abolition, UEFA Cup/Europa League champions have competed since 2000.
UEFA Super Cup Venue Selection Process
During the two-legged era, each competing team hosted one match. After becoming a single fixture, Monaco's Stade Louis II served as the consistent venue from 1998 to 2012.
From 2013 onwards, different host cities and stadiums are chosen annually. Recent locations have included Budapest's Puskás Aréna, Helsinki's Olympic Stadium and Warsaw's Stadion Narodowy. Udinese's home ground, the Stadio Friuli in Serie A, will stage the 2025 edition.
UEFA's executive committee ultimately determines the Super Cup venue, with the organization reviewing applications from interested member associations annually. Candidates who advance through preliminary screening must submit formal proposals before specified deadlines, detailing proposed venues that undergo UEFA inspection.
The executive committee then selects from approved applicants.
UEFA Super Cup Financial Rewards
Both participating teams have already secured substantial earnings through their European campaigns last season, with PSG collecting roughly £21.6 million ($29 million) solely for their Champions League final victory.
Brennan Johnson's decisive contribution earned Tottenham £5 million ($6.73 million) after defeating Manchester United in Bilbao. Additionally, all 2025–26 Champions League participants receive a guaranteed £15.7 million ($20.7 million).
From 2024, Super Cup champions receive £4.3 million ($5.8 million) while runners-up earn £3.5 million ($4.7 million).
UEFA Super Cup's Most Accomplished Teams
Since 1973, 42 different clubs have participated in the UEFA Super Cup, and including Tottenham's 2025 appearance, four teams have made their debuts since 2021.
Predictably, no club has achieved greater success than European powerhouse Real Madrid, who boast six victories and most recently triumphed in 2024. Since 2009, Spanish teams have dominated with 11 victories, including Barcelona's five titles and Atlético Madrid's three triumphs.
AC Milan, Liverpool, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Ajax, Anderlecht, Valencia and Juventus complete the list of multiple winners. Hamburg remains the only team to appear multiple times without victory, while Europa League specialists Sevilla have suffered defeat in six of their seven appearances.