Spain federation approves plan to move Villarreal v Barcelona to Miami

La Liga Takes Aim at US Market with Potential Barcelona-Villarreal Showdown in Miami

Barcelona and Villarreal could become the first European soccer teams to clash on American soil, with La Liga pushing for a historic match in Miami this season.

Green Light from Spain, Now Awaiting International Approval

The Spanish federation (RFEF) has given its blessing to La Liga's ambitious plan, which would see one of the scheduled Barcelona-Villarreal games moved from Villarreal’s Estadio de la Cerámica to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 21st. However, the proposal still requires approval from FIFA, UEFA, US Soccer, and Concacaf.

A Scheduling Conflict & Stephen Ross' Influence

The chosen date for the match coincides with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals vs. Miami Dolphins game at Hard Rock Stadium. This suggests a potential schedule shift for the La Liga fixture. The proposal comes on the heels of Relevent Sports, founded and owned by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, dropping its lawsuit against FIFA and US Soccer after initially seeking to hold a La Liga match in Miami in 2018.

Relevent's Legal Battle & New Partnership with UEFA

The initial legal challenge stemmed from US Soccer’s refusal to sanction the event due to a FIFA rule prohibiting domestic league games from taking place outside their home territory. Relevent argued that this policy violated US antitrust law. The lawsuit was ultimately settled, allowing FIFA to revisit its rule and paving the way for potential future international matches.

Relevent has since secured a lucrative six-season deal with UEFA as the global marketing and sales partner for club competitions like the Champions League, further strengthening their position in the world of soccer.