The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has officially approved hosting the La Liga match between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami, USA, for Matchday 17 of the 2025/26 season.
In an official statement on its website, the RFEF announced: "The Spanish Football Federation will send a request to UEFA and FIFA to obtain the necessary authorization to host the match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, in accordance with FIFA’s international match regulations and the executive rules adopted by the RFEF."
The statement added: "After reviewing and verifying the submitted documents, and with the approval of the Board of Directors, the RFEF will request UEFA to initiate the process of securing final authorization from FIFA for the match, scheduled for December 20, 2025."
This move comes as part of La Liga's ongoing efforts to promote Spanish football abroad by staging matches outside of Spain. If the necessary approvals are granted, this could mark the first La Liga match in history to be played outside Spanish territory.
The match is initially set to take place at Villarreal’s home ground, Estadio de la Cerámica, on December 20, 2025. However, with the new proposal, it could be relocated to Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
Last season, Barcelona clinched the La Liga title with two matches to spare, and this fixture could become a landmark event for both clubs and Spanish football’s global outreach.