UEFA has agreed, albeit reluctantly, to permit the La Liga fixture between Barcelona and Villarreal to be held in Miami this December, marking a controversial departure from tradition.
The decision also extends to Italy, with AC Milan’s Serie A clash against Como approved for Perth, Australia, in February.
In making the announcement, UEFA emphasised its persistent opposition to domestic league games played outside their home countries. Still, the governing body said it felt compelled by regulatory uncertainty at FIFA’s level and the need to respond to formal requests.
“League matches should be played on home soil; anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements in competitions,” UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said. “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.”
The approval comes after extensive consultation and amid concerns that the existing FIFA regulatory framework lacks sufficient clarity to automatically reject such requests.
Reactions to the move were swift. Fan bodies and several clubs voiced strong objections, warning that shifting fixtures overseas could damage league integrity, alienate local supporters, and create unfair advantages for certain clubs.
Real Madrid, in particular, has opposed the Miami plan, arguing that the decision was made without proper consultation and threatens competitive balance.
UEFA, however, insisted that these approvals be seen as one-off exceptions. It pledged to work closely with FIFA and national associations to strengthen future regulations, ensuring domestic competitions remain anchored in their local environments.
The Barcelona vs Villarreal match is currently scheduled for late December 2025 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, contingent on further permissions from governing bodies.
