- LaLiga match to be played in Miami
- Approval needed from RFEF, FIFA, UEFA
- NFL scheduling pushes fixture to Hard Rock Stadium
Villarreal and Barcelona have accepted that their LaLiga match scheduled for December 20, 2025, will be played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, USA, according to a report from Marca. This would mark the first time a major European league fixture takes place on U.S. soil. Both clubs are already preparing their schedules for this historic overseas game. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) will officially discuss and potentially approve the proposal on August 11, after which UEFA and FIFA permissions will be sought.
The move is part of LaLiga president Javier Tebas’s long-standing ambition to globalize Spanish football and expand its footprint in the lucrative U.S. market. Thanks to recent FIFA regulation changes allowing league matches abroad, the idea has gained momentum despite earlier resistance from the RFEF. The Miami game represents a landmark shift, signaling a new era where geographic boundaries in football are increasingly flexible. However, the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) has voiced concerns, highlighting potential challenges ahead.
According to reports, LaLiga has held preliminary talks to relocate the match originally scheduled at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica to Miami. While the idea of staging a LaLiga fixture abroad is not new, it had faced strong resistance from the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in the past. However, FIFA’s recent approval allowing national league matches to be played outside their home countries has reignited the proposal.
The December 20 fixture is now expected to be played at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, largely due to scheduling conflicts with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, who are set to play at the same venue on December 21. The match will showcase some of LaLiga’s biggest stars, including Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Ronald Araujo, providing U.S. fans a unique opportunity to watch top-level Spanish football live.
If approved, this fixture could set a precedent for other LaLiga games being played abroad, helping the league tap into global markets and increase its fanbase. The league will need to manage scheduling, player welfare, and financial distribution carefully. Reactions from other Spanish clubs and players’ unions will shape future international ventures. Ultimately, the Miami match could become a blueprint for expanding European football’s global reach, strengthening LaLiga’s position as a worldwide brand.
