La Liga Announces Historic Barcelona Game in Miami

On Wednesday the Spanish top division confirmed that Barcelona will play Villarreal in Miami on December 20 marking the first occasion a European league match will be held outside the continent.

Earlier in the week UEFA the European football regulatory authority expressed disapproval of staging matches internationally though they permitted such events under exceptional circumstances including a Serie A fixture in Australia between AC Milan and Como in February.

Javier Tebas president of La Liga described the match as a landmark moment that propels La Liga and Spanish football to a new global frontier according to an official statement.

While acknowledging the concerns this decision might raise it is vital to remember this represents only one game among the 380 matches in the full season.

The fixture was initially scheduled at Villarreal's home ground but will now be hosted at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.

Villarreal has committed to implementing compensation arrangements for season ticket holders following the match relocation.

La Liga stated that Villarreal season ticket holders will receive complimentary travel to the event while those choosing not to attend in Miami will be given a 30 per cent reduction on their season ticket as a token of appreciation for their loyalty.

In September 18 supporter groups from both clubs declared their total opposition to holding the fixture outside Spain.

La Liga has sought to stage international matches since 2017 however the Spanish Football Federation RFEF has regularly objected despite organising the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Real Madrid Barcelona's primary rivals have also criticised the decision to move a La Liga match overseas.

In August they argued that hosting the game in Miami would disrupt the league's competitive equilibrium and create an inappropriate benchmark.