LaLiga’s proposal to stage the upcoming Villarreal vs. FC Barcelona fixture in Miami on the weekend of December 20 has sparked strong debate in Spain. While several clubs and the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) have voiced opposition, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has already approved the idea and submitted the request to UEFA.
A Plan That Divides Opinions
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has expressed his dissatisfaction with the possibility of holding a domestic league game abroad. He argued that supporters should not have to travel outside their country to watch a fixture that belongs to their league.
UEFA Executive Committee to Discuss in Tirana
According to MARCA, UEFA will make a decision within the coming week. The matter will be discussed at the UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Tirana, Albania, on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
The main agenda for the session includes the allocation of host venues for the 2027 European finals, but the RFEF’s request to stage Villarreal vs. Barcelona in Miami will also be formally considered.
Hard Rock Stadium as the Possible Venue
Although Ceferin opposes the move, he acknowledged that UEFA has limited authority to block it, as FIFA recently endorsed similar cross-border arrangements.
If approved, LaLiga president Javier Tebas could succeed on his third attempt to take a league game outside Spain, with Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium as the likely venue.
