Villarreal’s La Liga clash with Barcelona in December could become the first European league fixture staged outside Europe, after Spain’s football federation (RFEF) approved plans to move the game to the United States.
The proposal, backed by both clubs, would see the Matchday 17 fixture moved from Villarreal’s Estadio de la Cerámica to Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on 20 December 2025
Hard Rock Stadium is a venue set to host seven matches at the 2026 World Cup. The RFEF will now seek authorisation from UEFA and FIFA.
Supporters’ groups from both clubs, joined by the Spanish Football Supporters’ Federation (FASFE), have condemned the move as “madness” and threatened legal action to block it.
FIFA currently prohibits domestic league matches abroad, though it has formed a working group to review the rule.
Previous attempts to stage La Liga games in Miami, including Barcelona vs. Girona in 2019 and Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid last year, were abandoned amid opposition and logistical hurdles.
Similar ideas are emerging in different countries in Europe, with AC Milan exploring plans to play a Serie A fixture against Como in Perth, Australia, next February.
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