Will Barcelona vs Villarreal La Liga Match Be Played in Miami?

The Spanish football is pushing for a historic La Liga fixture change, with plans to move Barcelona’s Matchday 17 clash against Villarreal in December 2025 from Spain to Miami. The league game, which would normally be played at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Cerámica, is being lined up for Hard Rock Stadium, home of MLS side Inter Miami. La Liga president Javier Tebas and Barcelona’s board are backing the move as part of an effort to boost the league’s profile in the United States. If it goes ahead, it would be the first official La Liga match ever staged outside Spain, adding a unique chapter to the league’s history.

Villarreal vs Barcelona La Liga Match Could Cross The Atlantic

The idea of taking a La Liga match to the U.S. isn’t exactly new; it’s been floating around for years as part of the league’s push to win over a global audience. Back in 2018, there were even serious talks of Girona facing FC Barcelona on American turf, but that plan was shelved after football authorities pushed back. This time, though, the Barcelona vs Villarreal clash feels different. Both clubs are on board, La Liga’s leadership is backing it, and Miami is looking like the ideal stage to bring Spanish football’s flair to U.S. fans. For American supporters, it’s a rare chance to watch La Liga live without crossing the Atlantic and for the league, it could be a landmark moment in its international growth, paving the way for more games abroad in the years ahead.

RFEF Decision on The La Liga Fixture Change

On August 11, 2025, the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF) gave the plan its initial approval by agreeing to forward La Liga’s request to UEFA, thereby kicking off the approval process. UEFA’s verdict is expected by November 30, at least 21 days before the scheduled kick-off. After that, CONCACAF and the United States Soccer Federation will need to be informed, with FIFA also notified (though their direct sign-off isn’t required if all other steps are followed). It’s a bold move that has the potential to reshape how Spanish football reaches its global audience. Fans in the U.S. could witness stars like Robert Lewandowski or Gerard Moreno battling it out live, rather than through a TV screen in the middle of the night. For La Liga, it’s not just about a single match. And for supporters in Miami, it’s a once in a lifetime chance to feel the passion, drama, and intensity of a real La Liga showdown without crossing the Atlantic. The countdown has already begun, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Should all the boxes be ticked, the fixture will make Spanish football history as the first top-flight La Liga game to be played on U.S. soil.