LaLiga has officially confirmed that the match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal will be played on December 20 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. This significant announcement comes just days after UEFA reluctantly approved proposals from both the Spanish LaLiga and the Italian Serie A to host two league matches abroad this season, despite having initially opposed the idea.
Barcelona Embraces Its International Fan Base
FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta expressed his club`s excitement for the opportunity to connect with fans in the United States. “We`re looking forward to meeting all our fans in the United States again, and we thank LaLiga for the opportunity to get closer to one of the club`s main strategic markets,” Laporta stated in a release. He underscored the club`s global reach and its commitment to international supporters, particularly in a crucial market like the U.S. and a city such as Miami, which boasts a sizable “culé” community. Laporta anticipates a “great spectacle” featuring two top-tier teams.
UEFA`s Opposition and Exceptional Concession
UEFA reiterated its clear opposition to domestic league matches being played outside their home countries, citing extensive concerns raised by fans, other leagues, clubs, players, and European institutions. However, due to the current FIFA regulatory framework being “not clear and detailed enough,” UEFA`s Executive Committee “reluctantly” decided to approve the two requests on an “exceptional basis.”
“League matches should be played on home soil; anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements in competitions,” declared UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. He clarified that this approval is an exceptional decision and “shall not be seen as setting a precedent,” reaffirming UEFA`s dedication to protecting the integrity of national leagues and ensuring football remains rooted in its home environment.
UEFA has pledged to actively contribute to FIFA`s ongoing efforts to establish robust future rules that uphold the integrity of domestic competitions and strengthen the vital bond between clubs, their supporters, and local communities.
Another International Fixture: AC Milan vs. Como in Australia
In addition to the LaLiga fixture, AC Milan is scheduled to play Como on February 6 in Perth, Australia. This match is being relocated because AC Milan`s home stadium, San Siro, will host the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games next year. Both the Barcelona-Villarreal and AC Milan-Como games will mark the first instances of official LaLiga and Serie A matches being played outside their respective home countries.
