Barcelona and Atletico Madrid could make history by playing their La Liga fixture on December 22 in Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
This would mark the first time a domestic Spanish league game is held on US soil, pending approval from FIFA, UEFA, and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
The move is being driven by La Liga president Javier Tebas, who has long expressed a desire to expand La Liga’s reach in the US. Tebas commented last year, “It’s a mark of respect to the US fans [of La Liga].”
LaLiga trabaja para que el Barcelona-Atlético del 21/22 de diciembre se dispute en Miami. La patronal necesita el consentimiento de la FIFA, la UEFA y la Federación, que bajo el mandato de Luis Rubiales se opuso firmemente. Por Ladislao J. Moñino https://t.co/j08NRKUK6q
— EL PAÍS Deportes (@elpais_deportes) October 21, 2024
Barcelona, facing significant financial challenges, stand to benefit greatly from the proposed match.
Their temporary Montjuic Stadium only holds 45,000 fans, a substantial reduction from the 105,000 capacity of the Spotify Camp Nou, which is under renovation.
The club lost an estimated €50 million last season due to the reduced seating and is keen to boost revenue with this overseas game.
Atletico Madrid also see the financial upside of playing abroad without sacrificing a home fixture. Both clubs are expected to benefit significantly from ticket sales and the American audience.
La Liga had previously attempted to stage matches abroad in 2019, including Girona vs Barcelona and Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid, but those plans were blocked by the RFEF.
However, the post-Rubiales era has generated new optimism, with sources in the US confident the move will be approved. According to Mail Sport, talks are in advanced stages.
The Miami match could also pave the way for other European football ventures in the US, as UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has hinted at holding a Champions League final there in the future.
Barcelona played a friendly in the US last summer, drawing 82,500 fans to the MetLife Stadium, suggesting the Miami fixture could see similar success.
