​Spanish FA President: Supercopa Headed to Istanbul Due to Asian Cup Clash, Not Security Concerns

According to Reuters, Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Rafael Louzán said on Thursday that the 2027 Spanish Supercopa has been moved to Istanbul primarily because the competition dates clash with the AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, not due to concerns over regional security.

According to information released by the Turkish Football Federation, the 2027 Spanish Supercopa will be held in Istanbul from February 2 to 7. The TFF held a launch event for the tournament on Thursday, attended by Louzán and Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal.

Louzán stated that negotiations to move the tournament out of Saudi Arabia had begun before the recent regional tensions, as organisers were already aware that the Spanish Supercopa dates would overlap with the Asian Cup.

Louzán said in an interview: "It is largely because it overlaps with the Asian Cup." He added that the adjustment had been agreed with Sela, the Saudi sports and entertainment company, and the Saudi government.

Louzán said Real Madrid, Barcelona, Real Sociedad, and Atlético Madrid are all satisfied with the arrangement. He also thanked Beşiktaş, Galatasaray, and Fenerbahçe for providing stadiums and related infrastructure.

Under the RFEF's agreement with Sela, the Spanish Supercopa has been held in Saudi Arabia in recent years.

Louzán said the financial terms for Istanbul hosting this edition will be broadly similar to the existing arrangement, with "some improvements," though he did not disclose the specific amount of the agreement.

He said the RFEF has already begun negotiations with Sela and the Saudi side to extend their agreement beyond 2030.

Louzán said: "This year, cooperation between Turkey and Saudi Arabia has also allowed us to come here."

Source: Reuters