The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has endorsed a joint request from Barcelona and Villarreal to stage their upcoming LaLiga fixture in Miami, marking a significant step toward hosting the first-ever Spanish top-flight match overseas.
The Matchday 17 clash, originally set for Villarreal’s Estadio de La Cerámica on the weekend of December 20, 2025, could now take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, pending further approvals.
In a statement on Monday, the RFEF confirmed it had reviewed and accepted the proposal from both clubs, and will now forward the request to UEFA for consideration, before seeking FIFA’s final authorisation in line with international match regulations.
Hosting a competitive LaLiga game in the United States has long been a goal for league president Javier Tebas, who expressed his ambition to make it happen during the 2025/26 season. A previous attempt in 2019 to hold a Barcelona vs Girona fixture in Miami was blocked by the RFEF, UEFA, and FIFA. However, recent changes in leadership and legal settlements with U.S. partners Relevent Sports have opened the door for renewed efforts.
If approved, the move will require sign-offs from the RFEF, US Soccer Federation, UEFA, CONCACAF, and FIFA. The precedent for such arrangements exists, with the Spanish Super Cup having been staged in Saudi Arabia multiple times since 2020, and Italy’s Serie A set to host an AC Milan vs Como match in Australia next year.
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