Madrid / Miami, October 9, 2025
In a move that could reshape the future of European football, Spain’s top division — La Liga — is preparing to stage its first-ever official league match in the United States, sparking fierce debate across the football world.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and UEFA have given provisional approval for the December 21 match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal to be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, instead of Villarreal’s home ground, Estadio de la Cerámica. The final green light now rests with FIFA, which will decide in the coming weeks whether the match can go ahead.
If approved, it would mark the first European league fixture ever played on American soil, part of La Liga President Javier Tebas’s long-running effort to globalize Spanish football and compete financially with the Premier League.
“It’s not enough to show your matches on TV,” Tebas said earlier this year. “An official match in the U.S. will strengthen our position in the North American market. We must innovate or we will be left behind.”
Barcelona President Joan Laporta has publicly supported the plan, calling it “an honor” and a “strategic step” to promote La Liga globally. Villarreal’s management also approved the move, saying it is “for the good of football.”
According to Spanish outlet RAC1, both clubs could earn between €5 million and €6 million ($5.8–$7 million) from the Miami game, with Villarreal compensated for losing home ticket revenue.
Fan Backlash and Institutional Opposition
Despite the financial upside, the proposal has provoked strong backlash from fans, clubs, and football bodies.
The Spanish Football Members and Supporters Federation (FASFE), along with major Barcelona and Villarreal fan groups, condemned the plan as an “attack on the essence of football.”
“Football is a cultural and social phenomenon, not just an entertainment product,” their joint statement read. “To remove matches from the communities that built these clubs is shameful.”
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin also expressed “clear opposition,” warning that such games “disenfranchise loyal match-going fans” and risk “distorting competition.” Although UEFA reluctantly approved the match, it emphasized that the decision was exceptional and not a precedent.
The Spanish Players’ Association (AFE) has also voiced discontent, citing health, travel, and fairness concerns.
Getafe goalkeeper David Soria criticized the decision:
“Taking a 24-hour trip for a league game doesn’t make sense. Villarreal is losing a home match — that affects the competition.”
Even Real Madrid issued an official statement rejecting the proposal, arguing it violates “the essential principle of territorial reciprocity” that ensures fairness in home-and-away competitions.
Support and Globalization Push
Not all reactions have been negative. Some Villarreal supporters see the match as a unique opportunity to showcase their club on a global stage.
“It’s a Spanish football festival in Miami,” said Borja Jiménez, president of the fan group L’Os Groc. “We hope to make Americans fall in love with Villarreal.”
To ease the backlash, Villarreal has offered free airfare and tickets to Miami for season ticket holders and 20% discounts for those who choose not to attend.
The Bigger Picture
The proposed match in Miami mirrors similar moves by the Italian Serie A, which recently approved a league fixture between AC Milan and Como to be played in Australia in 2026. Both plans signal a growing trend of “globalized domestic football”, as leagues chase new audiences and revenues.
However, critics argue that the shift prioritizes commerce over community, marking a cultural turning point in world football.
Whether FIFA allows the game to go forward will determine not just where Barcelona and Villarreal play — but how far modern football is willing to go in its pursuit of global reach.