LaLiga has made official what had been rumored for weeks: the Matchday 17 clash of the 2025-2026 season between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona will be played on December 20 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, United States.

It will be the first official Spanish league match ever held outside Spain, a move that, according to the organization, aims to bring Spanish football closer to a global audience and strengthen the league’s international profile.

“With this match, we are taking a historic step that projects LaLiga and Spanish football into a new dimension,” the statement read. “We understand the concerns this decision may raise, but it is just one match out of the 380 that make up the season.”

Tebas, Laporta, and Roig Celebrate the Global Leap

LaLiga president Javier Tebas explained that the match in Miami seeks to “bring Spanish football closer to international fans without diminishing the experience for those who attend games in Spain.”

Meanwhile, Villarreal president Fernando Roig hailed the event as a unique opportunity for the club:

“It’s a historic moment that will allow us to keep growing and give visibility to our brand in such an important country as the United States. We understand this affects our season ticket holders, so we’ll implement measures to compensate them.”

From the Barcelona camp, president Joan Laporta celebrated the chance to reconnect with the club’s massive fanbase in North America:

“We’re excited to reconnect with our fans in the United States. As a global club, this match in Miami reinforces our commitment to our international supporters.”

A Historic Match with Special Measures for Fans

LaLiga confirmed that Villarreal season ticket holders will be able to travel for free to the game or, if they choose not to attend, will receive a 30% discount on their season pass. Additionally, in the weeks leading up to the match, the league will organize events and fan activations across several U.S. cities to promote Spanish football culture.

The Hard Rock Stadium, with a capacity of over 65,000 spectators, will host the highly anticipated clash between two clubs with contrasting styles but a shared goal: to represent LaLiga in one of the world’s most powerful markets.

With this bold move, Spain’s top division aims to cement its international expansion and attract new audiences in a key territory, proving that Spanish football no longer has borders.