The European Super League has been permanently disbanded after Real Madrid, the project’s last surviving member, reached a formal settlement with UEFA to resolve all outstanding legal disputes.
The divisive European Super League (ESL) project has officially collapsed after Real Madrid, the final remaining proponent, reached a landmark agreement with UEFA.
This surprise announcement, made on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, marks the end of a near-five-year civil war in European football.
The club confirmed it has joined the European Football Clubs (EFC) group in a pact focused on “the good of European club football.”
The agreement serves to resolve multi-billion dollar legal disputes that have loomed over the sport since the ESL’s ill-fated launch in 2021.
Real Madrid and promoters A22 had previously sought substantial damages from UEFA, but this settlement signals a full withdrawal from the breakaway project.
In a joint statement, the parties noted: “This agreement in principle will also serve to resolve their legal disputes related to the European Super League.”
The resolution comes just days after Barcelona formally abandoned the project, leaving Florentino Pérez’s side isolated on the international stage.
Moving forward, the collaboration will prioritize sporting merit, financial sustainability, and the use of technology to enhance fan engagement.
UEFA stated that all stakeholders reached the decision after months of discussions aimed at “respecting the principle of sporting merit and emphasizing the long-term sustainability of clubs.”