La Liga is taking steps to bring one of its marquee fixtures — Barcelona’s away match against Villarreal — to the United States, with the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens emerging as the preferred venue. The league is expected to meet with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Monday to seek initial approval for the move.
The game, currently set for December 21 at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Cerámica, would require clearance from multiple governing bodies, including UEFA, FIFA, the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF), and Concacaf, before a final decision is made. Scheduling may also pose a challenge, as the NFL’s Miami Dolphins are slated to host the Cincinnati Bengals at the same stadium on the same day.
Tebas’ Push for Overseas Fixtures
La Liga president Javier Tebas has long supported staging competitive league matches beyond Spain’s borders. While Real Madrid are reportedly opposed to the idea, the league has been working toward an overseas fixture for years. Efforts began in 2018 with an attempted Barcelona-Girona match in Miami, which fell through after failing to secure the necessary approvals. A similar push to take an Atlético Madrid match to the U.S. in 2019 was also unsuccessful.
The main obstacle had been a directive preventing competitive matches from being played outside their home territory — a stance challenged in court by Relevent Sports, a promotions company backed by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. That legal battle concluded recently with out-of-court settlements, paving the way for leagues to revisit international match plans.
Other Leagues Join the Race
La Liga may be leading the charge, but it’s not alone. Italy’s Serie A is exploring the possibility of staging AC Milan’s clash with Como in Perth, Australia, in February. The fixture would coincide with preparations for the Winter Olympics opening ceremony at Milan’s San Siro, making relocation a logistical solution as well as an opportunity for global expansion.
For the Australian venture to proceed, Serie A would need approvals from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), UEFA, FIFA, Football Federation Australia, and the Asian Football Confederation — mirroring the multi-layered clearance process La Liga faces.
If successful, either of these moves could mark a historic first for European top-flight leagues, potentially opening the door to more competitive fixtures being staged far beyond their traditional home grounds.
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IMAGE: AP
