Global Pitch Shift: Barca-Villarreal in Miami and Milan-Como in Perth Signal a New Era for La Liga and Serie A
6 October 2025
Overview
UEFA announced on Monday that it has approved two domestic league matches to be played outside their home countries. The games involve Barcelona against Villarreal in La Liga, to be staged in Miami, United States, in late December 2025, and Milan against Como in Serie A, scheduled for early February 2026 in Perth, Australia.
Milan opted to host its fixture away from San Siro to align with preparations for the Winter Olympics opening ceremony on February 6, 2026, in Milan.
UEFA's statement said the Executive Committee approved the move reluctantly and exceptionally, noting that the FIFA regulatory framework remains under review and lacks full clarity.
The governing body also stressed that it remains opposed in principle to staging domestic league matches outside the host country.
Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA president, argued that league games should be played in the nation where the competition is hosted, warning that taking matches abroad could deprive loyal fans and distort the competitions. He added that while it is unfortunate to approve these two fixtures, the decision is exceptional and should not be seen as a precedent, with a clear commitment to keeping football rooted in its home environment.
In August, the Spanish Football Federation officially approved Barca against Villarreal in the 17th round of La Liga to be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The federation said a formal licensing request would be sent to UEFA and FIFA, and after documents are checked and board approval obtained, it would pursue FIFA licensing to host the match at the Miami venue on December 20, 2025.
La Liga has long pursued cross-border matches as a promotional strategy, following the example of other leagues expanding beyond national borders.
The fixture was originally planned for La Cerámica in Villarreal but was moved to embrace the European winter pause between December 15 and 21, allowing time for travel and acclimatization for players and staff.
Barça nearly pursued a Miami venture last season against Atlético Madrid, but weather conditions in the Valencia region and internal federation issues derailed the project.
Financials are a factor: Barca could receive about €5-6 million, with Villarreal set to obtain a larger amount to offset losses from ticket revenue and other revenue streams.
Spain's players’ union rejected the proposal during a tense meeting, with Tebas absent and calling for full disclosure to players and club leaders.
Tebas has long pushed for international fixtures; previous attempts to move Barca-Atlético to Miami in 2018 and October 2024 were thwarted by a hurricane in Valencia and other administrative hurdles.
If approved, the arrangement would represent a milestone for La Liga and could reshape cross-border promotions in football, though it remains controversial among fans and critics.
Overall, the plan aims to promote La Liga globally while preserving the integrity of domestic competitions and the matchday experience for local supporters.
Punchline 1: If the ball crosses the Atlantic, maybe the fans should too—passport, sunscreen, and a good Wi‑Fi connection to stream the game live from Florida.
Punchline 2: Football is going global, but apparently the travel plans and coffee orders for the executives need their own flight crew.
