Will Barcelona and Villarreal Make History with the First La Liga Match in the U.S.?
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Synopsis
Exciting news in Spanish football! The RFEF has approved a groundbreaking match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF to be held in Miami in December 2025. This historical event marks the first La Liga match ever played in the United States. Will this change the landscape of football in America? Read on to find out more.
Key Takeaways
- RFEF approved the first La Liga match outside Spain.
- Match scheduled for December 20, 2025.
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami.
- Requires UEFA and FIFA approvals.
- Javier Tebas aims to expand La Liga's global presence.
Madrid, Aug 11 (NationPress) The landscape of Spanish football could be transformed as the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has granted approval for FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF to conduct their December 2025–26 La Liga match in Miami — a significant milestone nearly ten years in the making.
The RFEF board has officially sanctioned the clash on matchday 17 to take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 20, 2025. This would represent the inaugural instance in La Liga’s history of an official league match being held outside Spain.
“During its meeting on August 11, 2025, the RFEF Board of Directors received a request from Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona to stage their match on matchday 17 of the first division in the United States,” the federation articulated in a statement. “... the Royal Spanish Football Federation will relay the request to UEFA to initiate the process for subsequent authorization by FIFA for the match to occur at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 20, 2025 ...”
Despite the RFEF’s endorsement being a major step forward, the proposal must navigate two final challenges — obtaining UEFA’s approval before securing FIFA’s authorization — to materialize.
La Liga President Javier Tebas has long been chasing his “American dream,” influenced by the NFL and NBA’s approach of hosting official games internationally to broaden their global reach. His initial attempt surfaced in the 2018–19 season with a proposed Girona-Barcelona match in the U.S., which ultimately did not come to fruition.
A Villarreal-Atletico fixture planned for the 2019–20 season also fell apart, leading to court proceedings after the RFEF, then under Luis Rubiales, denied authorization. The courts ruled in favor of the federation. Another close call occurred last season when a Barcelona-Atletico match was nearly held in the U.S. before La Liga decided to recalibrate the project.
Point of View
I observe this potential La Liga match in Miami as a significant step towards globalizing Spanish football. The ambition shown by La Liga President Javier Tebas reflects a desire to enhance the league's reach and popularity, mirroring successful strategies employed by American sports leagues. However, the necessary approvals from UEFA and FIFA remain critical for this vision to become reality.
NationPress
19/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the historic La Liga match take place?
The match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF is scheduled for December 20, 2025.
Where will the match be held?
The match will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
What approvals are needed for the match to happen?
The proposal requires approval from UEFA and FIFA after the RFEF's endorsement.
Why is this match significant?
This will be the first official La Liga match played outside of Spain, marking a historic moment for the league.
Who is behind the push for this match?
La Liga President Javier Tebas has been advocating for international matches to broaden the league's global appeal.
