Spanish League Moves Closer to Historic Match in the U.S.

The Spanish league is on the brink of advancing its plans to host its first regular-season soccer match in the United States. Recently, the Spanish soccer federation greenlit a request for a game between Villarreal and Barcelona to take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 20. Next, the federation will seek endorsement from UEFA and FIFA, the sport's governing bodies.

This move comes years after an initial attempt to organize a match in the United States in 2018, which involved Barcelona and Girona. That plan faced criticism from various stakeholders, including players, fans, and clubs, preventing it from moving forward. The league has since been determined to expand its reach and enhance its brand presence globally through events held abroad.

The desire to play matches in the U.S. follows a long-term partnership formed with Relevent Sports, a sports and entertainment group associated with several high-profile events and locations, including Hard Rock Stadium. Recently, FIFA has been reassessing its traditional stance against domestic league games being held in foreign countries, possibly paving the way for such events in the future.

However, the proposal has not been universally welcomed. Various fan organizations in Spain and the national players association have voiced their concerns over relocating the match over such a significant distance. Conversely, it has become common for American professional sports leagues to host games in regions like Europe, Asia, and South America, thereby enhancing their brand visibility and engaging with a wider audience. In a previous endeavor, the Spanish league even offered compensation to Girona supporters when attempting to shift a match against Barcelona overseas in 2018.