Paris Saint-Germain supremo Nasser Al-Khelafi has dropped a hint over extravagant plans to jazz up the Champions League - including a plot to make the showpiece event's final 'bigger than the Super Bowl '.
The future of Europe's premier competition has been subject to rampant speculation over the past 18 months following the collapse of the ill-conceived European Super League. And although those plans have been scrapped - for now - there's still a chance that major changes could be made to the most prestigious club competition in the world.
In 2024, the tournament will expand slightly; jumping from 32 teams to 36. And there could be more sweeping changes on the way if Al-Khelafi's latest comments are anything to go by. The PSG chief has evolved into one of European football's most powerful men after both shunning and openly condemning the clamour for a breakaway league.
Since then, the 48-year-old has taken on a new role as chair of the European Clubs’ Association (ECA) and is bidding to tweak the format of the current competition's rather than seeking to rip everything up.
But it remains to be seen how his latest declaration of intent will go down, after he told The Athletic about a number of ideas he has for the Champions League to eclipse the NFL's showpiece event, which is famous for its money-spinning half-time show; including an opening ceremony.
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He said: “The final should be bigger. I can’t understand how the Super Bowl can feel bigger than the Champions League final. The Super Bowl, and the US generally, have this mindset, creativity and entertainment. That’s what I have suggested, to have an opening ceremony to the Champions League, to have one match on the opening night where the winners take on a big team — maybe it is not a good idea, but at least let’s challenge the status quo. Each match needs to be an event and entertainment.”
While Al-Khelaifi's aspirations to eclipse the Super Bowl may seem ambitious, it should be noted that the Champions League's global audience far exceeds the viewing figures that the NFL currently attracts.
But further comments from PSG executive underlines his desire to completely transform the competition's current format into something far more grand in a bid to drive revenues.
As well as revamping the Champions League 'experience', Al-Khalaifi has also has plans for a reinvention of UEFA Super Cup. One concept which is set to be discussed - although it's not clear if it's Al Khelaifi's own, personal idea - is a four-team mini-tournament pitting the four finalists of the Champions League and the Europa League against eachother.
But there could be other new formats on the horizon in Europe, as he added: "We’re also thinking with UEFA about event formats and experiences. Take the Champions League — by far the best club competition, but how do we make each match an event?
"My suggestion is to have a creative and entertainment department as part of the new joint venture between UEFA and ECA. How do we make the group stages compelling? The time difference is a problem for the US and Asia. So how can we work on this for international rights which have huge potential? We are thinking about all kinds of things — new venues, new markets, new formats.”
