La Liga president Javier Tebas has finalized the venue for the Barcelona-Villarreal clash, marking a historic shift for Spanish football.
The Spanish league has long sought to emulate the NFL and NBA by staging matches abroad, aiming to boost its international appeal and revenue.
However, resistance from domestic stakeholders, including the Royal Spanish Football Federation and players’ unions, has posed challenges.
With UEFA recently addressing the issue, LaLiga’s latest move signals a historic shift.
However, it faces logistical hurdles and lingering dissent from clubs like Real Madrid, which argue that it undermines competitive integrity.
Speaking to ESPN’s Fernando Palomo at the World Soccer Summit, LaLiga president Javier Tebas confirmed that the Barcelona vs Villarreal match, originally set for December 20 at Estadio de la Cerámica, will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
This follows UEFA’s reluctant approval of LaLiga’s request, alongside an Italian proposal for AC Milan vs Como in Perth, Australia.
The decision, per ESPN, awaits final nods from U.S. Soccer and Concacaf, with FIFA uninvolved.
If approved, it will mark the first time a top-five European league game is played abroad, a milestone LaLiga has pursued since 2017.
UEFA, while approving the requests, opposes domestic games abroad, citing vague FIFA regulations and the need to protect club-fan bonds.
Real Madrid and Spain’s Players’ Association argue it distorts competition, with potential escalations to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Logistically, a clash looms: Hard Rock Stadium hosts an NFL game on December 21, complicating preparations, though sources say reconfiguration is feasible.
The RFEF, after years of resistance, approved the Miami plan in January, but opposition persists.
Tebas’ vision aligns with LaLiga’s global strategy, leveraging Barcelona’s star power to captivate U.S. audiences.
However, fan backlash and logistical complexities could test this bold experiment.
As U.S. Soccer and Concacaf deliberate, the December 20 fixture stands as a potential game-changer, redefining how European football engages its global fanbase while navigating tradition and commerce.
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