Miami Hosting of Barcelona vs Villarreal Match Cancelled

La Liga abandons plan to host Barcelona vs Villarreal in Miami

Miami hosting of Barcelona vs Villarreal match cancelled due to opposition from Spanish clubs and players.

“Forgoing these types of opportunities hinders the generation of new revenue...”

LaLiga's ambitious plan to host Barcelona's clash with Villarreal in Miami has been scrapped due to “uncertainty generated in Spain in recent weeks.” The match, scheduled for December 20, would have marked a historic milestone as the first European league fixture to be played abroad.

The cancellation comes after the promoter, Relevent, informed LaLiga of their decision to postpone the planned match, citing insufficient time to properly execute the event and the irresponsibility of selling tickets without a confirmed match in place. “Given the current uncertainty in Spain, there is insufficient time to properly execute an event of this scale. It would also be irresponsible to begin selling tickets without a confirmed match in place.”

LaLiga deeply regrets the cancellation, stating that the project "represented a historic and unparalleled opportunity for the internationalization of Spanish football.” LaLiga's statement continued, "Holding an official match outside our borders would have been a decisive step in the global expansion of our competition, strengthening the international presence of the clubs, the positioning of the players, and the brand of Spanish football in a strategic market like the United States.”

LaLiga expressed disappointment, emphasizing that initiatives like this are essential for Spanish football's sustainability and growth in an increasingly competitive global landscape. “Forgoing these types of opportunities hinders the generation of new revenue, limits clubs’ ability to invest and compete, and diminishes the international reach of the entire Spanish football ecosystem.”

Ticket sales for the match at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium were set to go live on Tuesday but were delayed before the plan was ultimately scrapped. The game will now take place at Villarreal's home ground, Estadio de la Cerámica, as scheduled.

The proposal to host the match in the US had faced opposition from UEFA, who generally disapprove of games being played outside their traditional territories. However, they had given their approval for this match, as well as a Serie A game between AC Milan and Como in Australia, on an exceptional basis.

🚨 NOTA INFORMATIVA.

LALIGA informa de la cancelación del Partido Oficial en Miami, una oportunidad histórica para la internacionalización del fútbol español. Seguiremos trabajando por una competición global, moderna y competitiva.https://t.co/DpsR4PnXLf

— LALIGA Corporativo (@LaLigaCorp) October 21, 2025

The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) recently staged a protest against the plan, with players from every team observing a 15-second delay at the start of each league match. Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid also voiced their disapproval, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois expressing concerns that the move would compromise the competition's integrity.

Real Madrid's captain, Dani Carvajal, weighed in on the issue, telling LaLiga president Javier Tebas that hosting a match abroad would tarnish the competition. LaLiga has been exploring the possibility of hosting matches outside Spain for several years, driven by a desire to expand the league's global reach and appeal.