Why is NO Extra Time in Supercopa Semis & Finals?

The Spanish Supercup (Supercopa de Espana) has transformed from a traditional pre-season curtain-raiser into a high-stakes “Final Four” tournament hosted in Saudi Arabia. As the 2026 Supercopa unfolds in Jeddah, fans are witnessing not just elite Spanish football but also significant regulatory changes shaping the modern game.

A change that the fans need to keep in mind is that the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has officially removed extra time in football match played between 4 teams for this competition, altering how teams approach the Supercopa semi-finals and final.

Why has RFEF removed Extra Time in Football Matches of the Supercopa De Espana

Jeddah city in Saudi Arabia is all set to host the Superopa De Espana from 7th January till 11th January. Participating Spanish teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Club will play single-leg knockout matches to reach the final of the domestic cup but the Spanish association alteration in the rules has grabbed all the attention before the tournament kicks off.

The RFEF has eliminated the extra time in football matches of the 42nd edition of the prestigious domestic cup, aiming to reduce the stress and workload on the players. Additionally, the decision was made after the successful implementation of the rule in regional tournaments like Copa Del Rey and Copa Federacion.

Spotlight on Spanish Giants: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Athletic Club and Atletico Madrid

The 2026 Supercopa lineup reads like a who’s who of Spanish football royalty: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Athletic Club and Atletico Madrid. Each side arrives in Jeddah in a contrasting yet interesting form.

• Barcelona, under Hansi Flick, is at the top of La Liga after an eighth straight win in the form of a 2-0 derby victory over Espanyol.
• Real Madrid, close behind, crushed Real Betis 5-1 in their latest outing, led by a hat-trick from rising star Gonzalo Garcia in Kylian Mbappe’s absence.
• Atletico Madrid remain defensively steely under Diego Simeone, holding Real Sociedad to a 1-1 draw while sitting fourth in the table.

With no extra time in Supercopa fixtures, these giants must adapt to the all-or-nothing format. 90 minutes to decide everything or face the tension of penalties. The regulation amplifies the drama: every attack, substitution and defensive lapse could decide who lifts the first major trophy of the Spanish calendar.