Explained | Why Champions League is the biggest club competition despite rise of European Super League
EXPLAINED: Why Champions League is the biggest club competition despite rise of European Super League
The Champions League Round of 16 is all set to take centrestage as top clubs prepare for the final push for glory in Europe’s top club competition. While the eyes of the clubs are on the prize asset, the bosses at UEFA (European football’s governing body) are fighting to keep the integrity of the competition alive. The European Super League (ESL) could emerge as a major player with top clubs set to join the breakaway league from UEFA. However, can the ESL surpass the legacy of the Champions League (previously the European Cup) as the tussle between UEFA and ESL intensifies?
Champions League’s importance
Starting in the 1955-56 season with the name of the European Cup, the Champions League has been the apex competition of football for more than 60 years. While the competition carries equal weightage as the AFC Champions League (Asia) winner and the Copa Libertadores (South Africa), the European version of the club competition ranks highest as some of the finest players and teams have played in the competition.
Since its inception in the 1955-56 season, big-name players have competed in the competition with fierce rivalry between clubs being a highlight. The quality of competition is often better than other continental competitions which have attracted a big fan base. The big fan base has attracted big-money TV deals which have resulted in high financial capital flow in the competition.
European Super League concept
The ESL is a make-away European league concept consisting of a cluster of top continental clubs which included the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona along with the ‘big six’ Premier League sides. The cluster also included the likes of Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan before the plan was scrapped amid big protests by fans. Upon criticism, 10 of the 12 clubs pulled out of the European Super League while UEFA decided to levy hefty fines on them. Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona though did not back out and are still part of the plan.
)
Student union leaders call off hunger strike at Jantar Mantar after civil society appeal, but protest continues
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters with most runs in India vs Zimbabwe T20Is
)
Kaylee Hottle was unconscious: Shocking details from first responders revealed after teen star's death
)
'Not permitted ...': IIT Roorkee issues gag order as students' protest intensifies
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
World's top 7 most liveable cities in 2026 — Check where India and Pakistan stand
)
Trump announces 200% tariff on generic drugs: Here's what it means for 'Pharmacy of the World' India
)
'Criticising him after two or three matches isn't justified': Sikandar Raza backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
)
3.5-million-year-old mystery creature found in Japan is a 'giant' never seen before
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (July 20-26, 2026): Musafir Cafe, Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya, 72 Hours- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
'George Soros playbook': Understanding the foreign funding network around Sonam Wangchuk
)
'What is wrong...': Anna Hazare breaks silence on Sonam Wangchuk's protest, makes an appeal to Centre
)
'Is that a back-up Trump?' Mysterious look-alike standing behind Donald Trump baffles netizens
)
JP Nadda, Jitendra Singh meet Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital: Report
)
Is Pentagon hiding missile shortage from Trump? US officials raise alarm over Iran war readiness
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA World Cup 2026 team of the tournament: The best XI that ruled football’s biggest stage
)
'We acted immediately...': Indian PM Modi breaks silence on paper leaks as NEET protest, calls for Education Minister's resignation grows
)
‘He's the architect of the genocide against Palestinians’: Mamdani repeats Netanyahu will be arrested if he visits US
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
)
Sonam Wangchuk's connection with George Soros and Ford Foundation explained!
)
‘Centre had no interest in having a debate’: LoP Rahul Gandhi demands resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, Amit Shah
)
Donald Trump heading for a tough midterm elections as approval ratings fall
)
Salman Khan breaks silence on health concerns after viral Mumbai appearance
)
US-Iran war cost hits $37.5 billion as Hegseth seeks $67 billion more for Pentagon
)
'This should not happen in a democracy': Shashi Tharoor slams detention of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi after protest outside PM Modi's residence
)
FIFA 2026 | 'I am truly sorry': Argentina's Enzo Fernandez, who get red card in final, reacts to loss
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22’s cockpit glass is thicker than a standard fighter jet
)
FBI arrests alleged $547mn medicare fraud fugitive after 3-year global manhunt
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
2026 FIFA World Cup awards: Full list of Golden Boot, Golden Ball, Golden Glove and every major winner
)
'Guru is the...': Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shares message on education amid calls for his resignation
)
UP BTech gold medalist dies by suicide after failing in nearly 50 govt job attempts, leaves note for father
Withdrawal of English clubs was seen as a major setback as they could have attracted big-money TV deals which could have helped the ESL grow financially. Currently, TV deals in England are sold for more than $5 billion for a period ranging between four to seven years. The figure is comparatively low for other leagues.
Why Champions League remains a big player?
Anticipating a breakaway league was on its way and more teams wanting to qualify and earn hefty sums from the competition, UEFA from the 2024-25 season will increase the pool of teams from 32 to 36. This will give clubs better opportunity to qualify or participate in the Champions League. Considering the rich history of the competition fans, players and the majority of the clubs want to participate in the competition.
Financially the competition attracts the second-biggest TV and commercial deal in football after the English Premier League. Comparing this to the ESL, it will be hard for them to attract big-money deals as top English clubs are unlikely to play in the competition.
Heritage of competition
In its almost 70-year history, winning the Champions League is often considered the biggest achievement for players who are unlikely to win the World Cup. It is often the parameter of success for African and small nation players to get their names in the history books. Players like Ryan Giggs, Gareth Bale, Yaya Toure and Luka Modric are often considered the greatest of their generations, but they are unlikely to win the World Cup with the national side due to limited resources, it is the Champions League that bails them out.
ALSO READ |IPL 2024: DC coach Ricky Ponting 'not quite sure yet' about Rishabh Pant's role in upcoming season
Interestingly, Ballon d’Or winners like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have also seen their legacy forged by the winner’s medal in the Champions League as they are yet to win the FIFA World Cup.
Another factor contributing to the legacy of the competition is the format, since the 2003-04 season only the best teams have made it through to the later rounds of the competitions. Unlike the FA Cup and the League Cup, the Champions League knockout stage is played over two legs, ensuring only the best and deserved teams have lifted the trophy.
ESL’s dull format
ESL’s format on the other side has divided opinions with teams and fans disliking the divisional structure of the competition. As announced in December, 64 teams will be part of the ESL and will be divided into three categories. These categories are Gold (top division), Silver (second division) and Blue (third division). The Gold and Silver Leagues will see the inclusion of 16 teams each while Blue League will have 32 teams.
