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The Spanish Super Cup is heading to Turkey for the first time, with Istanbul selected as the surprise host for the 2027 edition.
The move provides a temporary alternative to Saudi Arabia, which cannot host the competition next year because of a major clash in the football calendar.
Why is the Spanish Super Cup being held in Istanbul?
The 2027 Spanish Super Cup will take place in Istanbul between the 2nd and 7th of February, with the Ataturk Olympic Stadium selected by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after seven proposals from different parts of the world were considered.
The decision comes because Saudi Arabia, which has hosted the competition in recent years, will stage the AFC Asian Cup in 2027.
The tournament's schedule clashes with the Spanish Super Cup, forcing the RFEF to find a temporary alternative.
The federation worked alongside SELA, the company involved in organising the Super Cup since its move to Saudi Arabia, during the selection process.
Saudi Arabia is expected to regain hosting duties in 2028, meaning Istanbul's involvement should be limited to next year's tournament.
The move also continues the RFEF's strategy of taking the competition overseas.
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The Spanish Super Cup is broadcast in more than 150 countries, and provides significant revenue for Spanish football, with the federation saying money generated is distributed among almost 1,000 clubs across the men's and women's game.
The home of second-tier side Fatih Karagumruk and the Turkish national team is also a fitting venue given its history.
The 2005 Champions League final saw Liverpool famously recover from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan on penalties, while Manchester City defeated Inter Milan there in the 2023 final to win the competition for the first time.
Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad will contest the 2027 tournament, with the four-team format consisting of two semi-finals and a final.
FGG says: Istanbul is a perfectly good temporary solution
The move makes sense given Saudi Arabia's scheduling conflict, while Ataturk Olympic Stadium – a potential venue for Euro 2032 – gives the Super Cup a genuinely iconic venue.
It is certainly different from the usual Saudi destination, but taking the competition to a stadium with such Champions League history should give the 2027 edition plenty of appeal.