The possibility of a Spanish La Liga match being played outside Spain took a major step forward on Monday.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced it will submit a request to UEFA and FIFA for this season’s clash between Villarreal and FC Barcelona to take place in Miami, USA.
According to the RFEF, its Board of Directors has approved transmitting the joint request from FC Barcelona and Villarreal FC for their matchday 17 Primera Liga fixture to be staged at the Hard Rock Stadium. This groundbreaking event still requires official approval from UEFA and FIFA before being confirmed.
While the Spanish Supercup has been hosted in Saudi Arabia since 2020—except for a brief COVID-19 hiatus in 2022—this would mark the first time in history that a regular La Liga match is played in a foreign country.
The move has sparked debate among fans and pundits. Critics argue that shifting the venue from Villarreal’s home ground to Miami alters the competitive balance of the Liga season. Instead of facing one of their toughest away fixtures, Barcelona could benefit from a supportive crowd in Miami, where the majority of fans are expected to be backing the Catalan giants.
If approved, this match would not only set a precedent for La Liga but could also open the door for more league fixtures to be played internationally in the future.