Four teams travel to Saudi Arabia to compete for the 2024 Super Cup. Barcelona and Osasuna will meet in one of the semi-finals, and Madrid teams Atletico and Real will face off in the second. The winners then meet on January 14 to decide who will come back to Spain with the trophy.
Semifinal Showdowns – Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid & Barcelona vs. Osasuna
On January 10, Real Madrid face their crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid. For Real it is the chance to knock out their bitter rivals in Carlo Ancelotti’s final season, while for Diego Simeone’s men it is the chance to get one over on their bitter rivals, as Liga’s second and third top teams meet.
The following day on January 11. Barcelona will be the favourites against Osasuna, with the Basque side perhaps looking to take advantage of the Catalans’ recent struggles under Xavi Hernandez. A win here could help the Camp Nou legend stay in his post.
Al-Awwal Park Stadium – The Host Venue
Al-Awwal Park will likely be one of the stadiums chosen to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup if, as expected, Saudi Arabia goes ahead with the event. At 25,000 it might be on the smaller side compared to the biggest in world football, but it boasts significance beyond mere size.
As the home venue of Al-Nassr, it is the current setting for many of Cristiano Ronaldo’s exploits in club football, as well as his teammates Aymeric Laporte and Sadio Mane, and other colleagues. As the host venue for two WWE Crown Jewel extravaganza, it is more than capable of putting on a huge, entertaining showstopper.
Saudi Arabia has been host for four of the five years – the only interruption being 2020/21 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s all part of a strategy to turn the Kingdom into a sporting destination that takes in boxing world title fights ,the WWE, Tyson Fury’s clash with Francis Ngannou, and ultimately the 2023 FIFA World Cup
Grand Finale in Riyad – Jan. 14 Final
The final offers the first chance of the season for Spanish clubs to lift some silverware. The two finalists meet on January 14.
Of course, that is only available to four clubs, and the winners will have to emerge from their semi-finals intact to stand a chance.
Whichever two sides meet in the final will have the weight of expectation from their fans, the supporters in Al-Awwal Park, and also their club directors upon them. This could help any of the four sides launch their assault on La Liga in the remaining games of 2023/24.
Repeat Destination – Riyadh as the Host
This will be the fourth time in five years that the Saudis have hosted the four-team event, but the first time the KSU Stadium (also known as Al-Awwal Park) has played host..
Supercopa de Espana Format – A Unique Blend of Excellence
For most of the last 40 years, the competition had been contested between the winners of the Copa del Rey and the Liga champions, but changes were made in the last few years.
Since the end of the 2019/20 season, the reigning Liga and Copa del Rey champions, and the runners-up of both tournaments, have played a semi-final each before facing off in the final.
While the tournament started in 1982, between 1940 and 1953 a similar tournament took place, and it is one of the most prestigious domestic trophies up for grabs in Spain.
Socios.com and Spanish Super Cup – Enhancing Fan Experience
Socios.com gives FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid fans the chance to earn Fan Tokens and use Fan Rewards to win the chance to gain exclusive access to their teams. Fan Tokens have allowed fans to get behind-the-scenes access to their sides, meet club legends from, check into matches and choose not just their favourite players, but use polls to pick things like team kits and merchandise.
