LaLiga has officially cancelled plans to host the Villarreal vs Barcelona match in Miami this December, ending months of debate over whether a Spanish league fixture should be played outside Europe. The match, originally set for December 20 at the Hard Rock Stadium, was intended to count towards Matchday 17 of the season.

The decision came after discussions between LaLiga and its U.S. partner, Relevent Sports, which decided to withdraw due to “uncertainty generated in Spain in recent weeks.” It marks the fourth failed attempt by the league to take an official game abroad.

Mounting Opposition Proved Too Strong

Although the proposal had the green light from the Spanish Football Federation, it faced growing backlash across the football community. Real Madrid led the opposition, calling the plan “a violation of the competitive balance” of the league.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick and midfielder Frenkie de Jong also criticised the idea, saying that the long-distance travel before the winter break was “unfair for the competition.” Meanwhile, protests organised by the Spanish Footballers’ Association saw players across the country pause matches for 15 seconds to demand greater transparency from LaLiga.

Financial Gains and Lost Opportunity

For LaLiga, the Miami match represented a major commercial opportunity. Both clubs were reportedly set to receive between five and six million euros, and Villarreal had offered to fly season-ticket holders to Florida for free. The league described the game as “a historic opportunity” to grow Spanish football’s global profile, particularly in the U.S. market.

However, growing resistance from clubs, players, and even UEFA made it increasingly difficult to proceed. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin and Spain’s sports minister Pilar Alegría both expressed that domestic competitions should remain in their home countries.

A Blow to LaLiga’s Expansion Plans

LaLiga president Javier Tebas had defended the Miami plan as essential for the league’s future growth, arguing that “it’s just one match out of 380.” But after Relevent Sports pulled out, LaLiga confirmed that the project was no longer viable.

In a statement, the league expressed its “deep regret” that a plan designed to strengthen Spanish football’s international reach had to be cancelled, warning that it limits clubs’ ability to compete financially with other major leagues.

For now, the idea of a LaLiga match abroad is once again shelved, but Tebas has made it clear that the ambition to take Spanish football global has not disappeared.

Main image: X/@VillarrealCF