Home SPORTS UEFA Approves La Liga and Serie A Matches in US and Australia Despite Fan Protests

UEFA Approves La Liga and Serie A Matches in US and Australia Despite Fan Protests

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Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)
UEFA reluctantly approves Barcelona vs Villarreal and AC Milan vs Como matches abroad



UEFA reluctantly approves La Liga and Serie A matches in the US and Australia, despite widespread fan protests and concerns about the sport's integrity.


“Our commitment is clear: to protect the integrity of national leagues and ensure that football remains anchored in its home environment...”


A historic decision has been made in European football. UEFA has reluctantly given the green light for two major matches to take place outside of their traditional territories. AC Milan will face Como in Perth, Australia, while Barcelona will take on Villarreal in Miami. Despite fan protests and concerns about the implications, UEFA's hands were tied due to a lack of clear regulations from FIFA.


The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) approved the relocation of two domestic league matches to locations outside their respective countries, citing the lack of clarity in FIFA's regulatory framework. Barcelona and Villarreal will play their La Liga match in Miami, Florida, while AC Milan and Como will face off in Perth, Australia, on February 8, 2026, to avoid a clash with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony at Milan's San Siro stadium.


UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin emphasized that this decision is exceptional and shouldn't set a precedent for future matches.


“While it is regrettable to have to let these two games go ahead, this decision is exceptional and shall not be seen as setting a precedent,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement


UEFA emphasized its opposition to organizing domestic league matches outside their home countries, stressing that “league matches should be played on home soil; anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements in competitions.” However, due to the ambiguity in FIFA's framework, UEFA reluctantly approved the matches as “exceptional cases” that shouldn't set a precedent.


The decision has sparked controversy among European supporters groups, who argue that such moves are “absurd, unaffordable, and environmentally irresponsible.” UEFA's president, Aleksander Ceferin, acknowledged these concerns, stating that the decision was “reluctantly taken” and shouldn't be seen as a precedent. He emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of national leagues and preserving the bond between clubs and their home fans.


UEFA plans to collaborate with FIFA to establish clearer regulations, ensuring that domestic competitions maintain their integrity and connection with local fans. Ceferin reiterated that “our commitment is clear: to protect the integrity of national leagues and ensure that football remains anchored in its home environment.”


In its statement, UEFA said that it had “reiterated its clear opposition to domestic league matches being played outside their home country.”


But despite “the widespread lack of support that had already been raised by fans, other leagues, clubs, players and European institutions,” UEFA said that it had found no clear regulatory framework in FIFA's statutes that would allow it to oppose the moves.


“The UEFA Executive Committee has reluctantly taken the decision to approve, on an exceptional basis, the two requests referred to it,” European football's governing body said in its statement.




The concept of relocating European football matches to other continents may seem revolutionary, but it's a strategy that's been employed by other sports leagues for years. The National Football League (NFL), for instance, has been hosting games in London since 2007 and has expanded to other international locations, including Mexico and Germany. In recent years, the NFL has added new markets, including Sao Paulo, Dublin, and Madrid, with Melbourne set to host a game in 2026.


This international outreach has been a successful strategy for the NFL, allowing the league to tap into new fan bases and promote American football globally. The NFL's experience could serve as a model for European football leagues looking to expand their reach and revenue streams. However, the approach also raises questions about the impact on local fans and the potential dilution of the sport's traditional identity.


As European football leagues consider international matches, they would do well to study the NFL's approach and weigh the potential benefits against the potential drawbacks. By doing so, they can make informed decisions about how to balance their desire for growth and revenue with the needs and expectations of their loyal fan base.


The NBA has a history of hosting regular-season games internationally, starting with games in Japan in 1990 and Europe in 2013. Over the next three seasons, the league has scheduled six games in prominent European cities:

This expansion into Europe reflects the NBA's growing popularity in the region. The games will not only showcase top-tier basketball but also include community outreach programs, such as youth clinics and fan experiences, to engage local fans and promote the sport.


In rugby union, the French Top 14 club competition took its 2016 final to Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium, while Ireland and New Zealand played an international match in Chicago that same year - with Ireland claiming their first ever victory over the All Blacks.


The Rugby Championship finale between Argentina and South Africa took an unconventional turn, with the match being played at Twickenham Stadium in London instead of Argentina. Despite being technically designated as Argentina's home game, the Argentine Rugby Union opted to host the contest in London, over 7,000 miles away from Buenos Aires. This decision was driven primarily by financial considerations, capitalizing on Twickenham's substantially larger capacity and potentially higher ticket prices.



Financial Implications

The match promises substantial financial benefits, with a near-capacity crowd expected at Twickenham Stadium.

Revenue generated will assist the Rugby Football Union (RFU) while providing Argentina with a profitable outing.

International rugby matches in European markets consistently yield 30-50% higher revenue compared to similar events in South America.


Global Reach and Growth

The decision to host the game in London reflects rugby's global evolution, as more major fixtures move beyond traditional borders.

It highlights both nations' ambitions — Argentina's continued rise as a rugby powerhouse, and South Africa's mission to grow their influence on and off the field.

Playing in major international cities like London helps teams connect with their diaspora and strengthen their commercial footprint abroad.


The Match

  • South Africa secured a 29-27 win over Argentina, claiming back-to-back Rugby Championship titles.
  • The match saw intense competition, with the Springboks overcoming an early yellow card and halftime deficit behind tries from Cobus Reinach and Malcolm Marx.



La Liga's long-standing bid to host games in the United States has finally gained momentum. FIFA, football's world governing body, has shifted its stance on relocating domestic league matches abroad, paving the way for UEFA to grant La Liga and Serie A permission to play matches in the US and Australia. This decision comes after FIFA launched a working group in May to revise its rules on “out-of-territory” matches, sparking controversy among fans and clubs.


On Monday, Lega Calcio Serie A thanked “UEFA for recognising the exceptional nature of this initiative.”


“It should also be emphasised that this is only one match out of 380 in the league: an extraordinary event, not a structural change to the schedule,” a Serie A statement said.


“I hope that approval from FIFA and the Australian Football Federation will complete the authorisation process," added Serie A president Ezio Simonelli.


“For us, a contingency linked to the unavailability of the San Siro Stadium has been transformed into an opportunity to please the many Italian football fans, who will have the chance to follow the match live in Perth, and also for the two teams and Italian football to increase their international visibility and fan base.”


Major Developments:

  • La Liga's US Game: Villarreal vs Barcelona will be played in Miami, Florida, at the Hard Rock Stadium in December.
  • Serie A's Australian Game: AC Milan will face Como in Perth, Western Australia, on February 8, 2026.
  • UEFA's Stance: UEFA has expressed its opposition to the move, citing concerns about the integrity of domestic competitions and the bond between clubs and their home fans.


Fan Reaction and Potential Implications

The decision has been met with opposition from fan groups, including the Football Supporters' Association (FSA) and Football Supporters Europe (FSE). They argue that hosting domestic league matches abroad would erode the sport's tradition and integrity. UEFA's president, Aleksander Ceferin, emphasized that league matches should be played on home soil, but the regulatory gaps at the global level left no choice but to approve the requests.



What's Next?

FIFA's working group will continue to review its rules and regulations, potentially paving the way for more domestic league matches to be played abroad. However, the Premier League has stated that hosting matches outside the UK is not on the table for now.






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