Barcelona vs Villarreal LaLiga game in Miami edges closer with RFEF approval
Spanish Football Steps into the American Arena: LaLiga's Historic Miami Match
In a groundbreaking move, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has given the green light for Barcelona and Villarreal to play their December LaLiga match in Miami, marking the first official La Liga game to be held outside Spain. The historic match is scheduled for December 20, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, subject to further approvals from UEFA and FIFA.
This decision marks a significant step towards the global expansion of Spanish football, a dream long held by LaLiga President Javier Tebas. The move to Miami is nearly a decade in the making, with Tebas' first attempt to organize a LaLiga match abroad being in the 2018-2019 season with a proposed Girona-Barcelona match in the U.S., which did not materialize.
The matchday 17 game is the one being considered for this transatlantic move, and if finalized, it will be the inaugural official La Liga match played abroad. This approval ends years of attempts by La Liga to stage competitive league matches in the United States, an effort that was halted in the past due to regulatory barriers and internal conflicts.
One such conflict led to the sacking of Luis Rubiales, former president of the RFEF, in 2023. The incident that led to his dismissal was a public kiss on the mouth celebrating Spain's women's World Cup victory in Sydney. The courts sided with the Spanish Federation, then under Rubiales, but the incident left a lasting impact on his tenure.
The proposed Villarreal-Barca match is part of LaLiga's long-term strategy to establish themselves in other markets, emulating the NFL and NBA. Another potential match, Barcelona-Atletico, came close to happening last season but was halted at the last minute by LaLiga for better project structuring.
The match is scheduled to take place at Hard Rock Stadium, a venue familiar with hosting major sporting events. If approved, it will deliver Spanish football's long-awaited American adventure, providing a unique opportunity for fans in the U.S. to witness the thrilling action of LaLiga firsthand.
This news is a testament to LaLiga's commitment to expanding its global reach and bringing the excitement of Spanish football to new audiences around the world. The decision to play a match in Miami is a significant milestone in La Liga's history and a promising sign of things to come in the future.
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