La Liga's plan to hold a league match between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami has been cancelled due to "uncertainty" within Spain. The game, initially scheduled for December 20, 2025, at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, would have marked the first time a La Liga match was held outside of Spain.
La Liga announced the cancellation after discussions with Relevent, the promoter of the Miami match. Relevent cited "insufficient time to properly execute an event of this scale" given the "current uncertainty in Spain". La Liga followed up with its own statement expressing deep regret that the project, which it considered a "historic and unparalleled opportunity for the international expansion of Spanish soccer," would not proceed.
The decision comes after significant criticism and opposition to the idea of playing a La Liga match in the United States. While La Liga stated that all relevant bodies had ratified the decision, the plan still faced considerable hurdles. Real Madrid, in particular, lodged two complaints with Spain's Sports Ministry, arguing that the decision was made without consulting the participating clubs. They contended that holding the match in Miami would violate the principle of territorial reciprocity inherent in the home-and-away league format.
Adding to the controversy, the Spanish Footballers Association (AFE) staged protests during recent games, expressing concerns about the league's lack of transparency, dialogue, and coherence regarding the Miami match. Players symbolically protested by refusing to move for the first 15 seconds of games.
La Liga views staging matches abroad as a crucial strategy for boosting revenue and expanding its global reach, especially in an increasingly competitive landscape dominated by the English Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. The organization believes that initiatives like the Miami match are essential for ensuring the sustainability and growth of Spanish soccer, enabling clubs to invest and compete effectively. Despite the setback, La Liga has stated its commitment to bringing Spanish football to a global audience.
