The Supercopa de España is played in Saudi Arabia mainly because of a long- term, high‑value hosting deal that brings major revenue and global exposure to Spanish football.

Big Picture: Follow the Money

The key reason is financial.

  • The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia under which the Saudi government pays around €30 million per edition to host the Supercopa, with deals reported or extended up to 2029.
  • This cash is framed as “much‑needed” money for Spanish football, especially for clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid that have faced serious financial problems in recent years.

In short, the Supercopa moved because it turned a modest domestic trophy into a lucrative international product.

How the Saudi Deal Works

Since 2019–20, the format and location have both changed.

  • The Supercopa expanded from a two‑leg tie (league champion vs Copa del Rey winner) to a four‑team mini‑tournament with two semifinals and a final.
  • Saudi Arabia hosts almost every edition in Jeddah at King Abdullah Sports City (also branded with sponsor names like Alinma Bank Stadium), with only the 2021 edition moved back to Spain due to COVID‑19.

Reports describe an initial three‑year contract starting in 2019, later extended by about ten years, with discussions about going beyond 2029 as well.

Why Saudi Arabia Wants It

Saudi Arabia is using events like the Supercopa as part of a broader sportswashing and diversification strategy.

  • Hosting the Supercopa fits into plans to boost tourism and move the economy away from pure oil dependence through big sporting and entertainment events.
  • The country is aggressively positioning itself in football by attracting big‑name players to the Saudi Pro League and bidding for major tournaments, so bringing in clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona aligns with that push.

For Saudi Arabia, the Supercopa is a global marketing campaign disguised as a football tournament.

Criticism and Fan Backlash

The move has been heavily criticized by players, fans, and human‑rights observers.

  • Athletic Bilbao’s Raúl García called the decision “complete nonsense,” saying fans were “forgotten” and that modern football is “all about making money and finding sponsors.”
  • Supporters complain that what used to be a local Spanish event has been turned into a “shameless money grab” and “un‑glorified friendly,” with some joking it should just be renamed the “Saudi Super Cup.”
  • Human‑rights concerns are frequent, with criticism of Saudi Arabia’s record on freedom of expression and women’s rights, making the choice of host feel morally uncomfortable for many.

There is also frustration that only a few thousand Spanish fans can realistically travel, compared to tens of thousands who would attend if it stayed in Spain.

Official Justifications vs Fan View

Officially, the RFEF emphasizes:

  • Additional revenue for clubs and grassroots football.
  • Increased global visibility for La Liga and its teams by staging the tournament in a growing football market.

Many fans, pundits, and forum users boil that down to a single word: money.

From a fan‑discussion POV, the common answer to “why is the Supercopa played in Saudi Arabia?” is:
Because the federation sold it for a big paycheck, and Saudi Arabia wants the prestige.

Bottom line: the Supercopa is in Saudi Arabia because the hosting fees and global branding are too profitable for Spanish football authorities to turn down, even if it means upsetting traditional fans and raising ethical questions.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.