In a groundbreaking move for European football, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has approved plans to stage a La Liga match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona in the United States, potentially marking the first time a European top-flight league fixture is played abroad. The match, originally scheduled for December 21, 2025, at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Cerámica, is now proposed to take place on December 20, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. This decision, announced on August 11, 2025, has sparked both excitement and controversy, as La Liga seeks to expand its global reach while facing opposition from fans in Spain.
The RFEF’s board of directors met on August 11, 2025, to review a joint request from Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona to relocate their matchday 17 La Liga fixture to the USA. The RFEF confirmed its support, stating, “The Royal Spanish Football Federation will submit the request to UEFA to begin the process for subsequent authorization by FIFA for the match to be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on 20 December 2025.”
Hard Rock Stadium, a 65,000-capacity venue set to host seven matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is a fitting stage for this historic event. La Liga president Javier Tebas has long championed the idea of playing matches abroad to boost the league’s commercial appeal, particularly in North America, where football’s popularity is surging.
FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta echoed this sentiment in a statement on August 2, 2025, saying, “It will be a great honor, participating in this event that will be an official La Liga match” in the USA, emphasizing the club’s readiness to enhance the league’s global image.
This is not La Liga’s first attempt to stage a match in the USA. In 2019, a proposed Barcelona vs. Girona fixture in Miami was abandoned due to opposition from the RFEF and the Spanish players’ union (AFE), who cited concerns over fan accessibility and competitive integrity. Similarly, in 2024, La Liga explored hosting a Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid match in Miami but dropped the plan due to logistical constraints.
However, the landscape has shifted. FIFA’s rules currently prohibit domestic league matches from being played abroad, but a FIFA working group established in 2024 is reviewing this policy, potentially opening the door for such initiatives. The Spanish Super Cup and Italian Super Cup have already been held in countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, setting a precedent for high-profile matches abroad, though regular league fixtures have remained domestic until now.
The RFEF’s approval has not been universally welcomed. The Spanish football supporters’ association (FASFE), alongside fan groups from Barcelona and Villarreal, issued a joint statement on August 11, 2025, expressing “absolute, total, and firm opposition” to the plans. They urged the RFEF and Spain’s national sports council to “stop this madness,” warning of “appropriate legal action” if the match proceeds. The groups argue that moving a league match to the USA prioritizes commercial interests over the loyalty of local fans who regularly attend games at Estadio de la Cerámica and other Spanish venues.
Critics, including commentators at The Mag, have labeled the move “a disgrace,” warning that it could set a precedent for more La Liga matches—and potentially those of other European leagues—to be played abroad.
Sources: BBC Sport, The Mag, Adomonline.com, MyJoyOnline, jang.com.pk, The Athletic, Sky Sports, X posts