Spanish league edges closer to staging Villarreal vs. Barcelona regular-season match in the US

The Spanish league is moving closer to hosting a regular-season match in the United States.

On Monday, the Spanish soccer federation approved a proposal for the La Liga game between Villarreal and Barcelona to be held in Miami on December 20.

Next, the federation will seek approval from UEFA and FIFA to finalize the plan. The match, scheduled for the 17th round, is set to take place at Hard Rock Stadium.

The league first explored playing a game in the U.S. in 2018, but faced backlash from players, fans, and clubs, leading to the idea being shelved. Subsequent attempts also failed to materialize.

Hosting matches abroad aligns with La Liga’s strategy to expand its global reach and promote Spanish soccer internationally. The league has a long-term partnership with Relevent Sports, a sports and entertainment group linked to Stephen Ross, who owns Hard Rock Stadium, the Miami Dolphins, the Miami Grand Prix, and the Miami Open tennis tournament.

Source: Agency