Trending 
Barcelona will take on Villarreal in Miami on 20 December, marking the first time a La Liga fixture — or any European league match — will be played outside the continent, the Spanish top flight confirmed on Wednesday.
The landmark decision comes just days after UEFA, Europe’s football governing body, announced it opposed the idea of domestic league matches being held overseas. However, the organisation agreed to make an exception for this game, as well as a Serie A clash between AC Milan and Como scheduled for February in Australia.
“With this match, we take a historic step that projects La Liga and Spanish football into a new dimension,” said La Liga president Javier Tebas in a statement. “We understand and respect the concerns this decision may generate, but it’s important to put it into context — it’s one match out of the 380 that make up the season.”
Originally set to take place at Villarreal’s home ground, the fixture will instead be held at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium in Florida. In response to fans’ frustration, Villarreal has promised to compensate season ticket holders. “Villarreal season ticket holders will be able to travel for free to the match, and those who choose not to travel to Miami will receive a 30 percent discount on their season ticket,” La Liga said.
The move has drawn criticism from supporters and rival clubs alike. In September, 18 fan groups representing both Barcelona and Villarreal voiced their “complete opposition” to the plan to stage the match abroad.
La Liga has sought to expand its international presence since 2017, previously attempting to stage fixtures overseas, though such efforts were consistently blocked by Spain’s football federation (RFEF). The decision comes despite the RFEF itself holding the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Barcelona’s fierce rivals Real Madrid also condemned the plan, arguing in August that taking a league game abroad would “alter the competitive balance” and set an “unacceptable precedent.”
