MADRID / MIAMI — Spain’s football federation has approved a request to move Villarreal’s home La Liga match against Barcelona to Miami, Florida, bringing the league closer to staging a regular-season game in the United States.
The proposed match would take place at Hard Rock Stadium, home of Inter Miami and former Barcelona star Lionel Messi, on December 20. The federation now must seek approval from UEFA and FIFA before the game can be confirmed.
La Liga first explored playing a regular-season match in the U.S. in 2018, but plans were abandoned amid criticism from clubs, players, and fans. Subsequent attempts to stage games abroad also failed.
The move is part of La Liga’s broader strategy to promote football internationally and expand its brand. The league maintains a long-term partnership with Relevent Sports, the sports and entertainment company behind Hard Rock Stadium, the Miami Dolphins, the Miami Grand Prix, and the Miami Open tennis tournament.
While FIFA is reviewing policies that traditionally prohibit domestic league games from being played abroad, fans may push back against moving home matches thousands of miles away. US professional sports leagues, however, routinely stage games overseas to grow their international presence.
