Following UEFA`s reluctant approval of proposals from the Spanish LaLiga and Italian Serie A to host league matches internationally, LaLiga has officially confirmed that Barcelona will face Villarreal on December 20 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. This marks a significant step for European domestic football, bringing top-tier league action to an international audience.
We`re excited to reconnect with our fans in the United States and appreciate LaLiga`s initiative to bring us closer to a key strategic market. Having visited the country for years, we`ve always felt the passion FC Barcelona inspires.
Laporta further added that, as a global club with millions of supporters worldwide, this opportunity strengthens their dedication to international fans, particularly in a crucial market like the U.S. He anticipates an official match in a city like Miami, home to a significant `culé` community, will be a spectacular event showcasing two top-tier teams.
Separately, AC Milan is slated to play Como in Perth, Australia, in February, awaiting final confirmation from Serie A. This match also forms part of the newly approved international fixtures.
UEFA`s Stance on International Fixtures
UEFA had previously voiced strong opposition to domestic league games being held outside their respective countries. After extensive consultations with various stakeholders, which confirmed broad disapproval from fans, other leagues, clubs, players, and European institutions, UEFA released a statement addressing the issue:
However, given that the relevant FIFA regulatory framework — currently under review — is not clear and detailed enough, the UEFA Executive Committee has reluctantly taken the decision to approve, on an exceptional basis, the two requests referred to it.
UEFA committed to actively contributing to ongoing work led by FIFA to establish clearer rules. The goal is to ensure that future regulations uphold the integrity of domestic competitions and the close bond between clubs, their supporters, and local communities. Additionally, all UEFA national associations confirmed their commitment to engage with UEFA before submitting any future requests, aiming to collectively safeguard the wider interests of European football.
League matches should be played on home soil, anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements in competitions.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin reiterated this stance, acknowledging the widespread concerns confirmed by their consultations. He emphasized that while it is regrettable to allow these two games to proceed, this decision is exceptional and should not be seen as setting a precedent. UEFA`s clear commitment remains to protect the integrity of national leagues and ensure that football remains anchored in its home environment.
The AC Milan vs. Como fixture on February 6 in Perth is necessitated by San Siro hosting the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Meanwhile, Barcelona`s match against Villarreal in Miami, scheduled for December (the exact date will be confirmed later), will collectively mark the first time LaLiga and Serie A games are officially played outside their home countries.
