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Barcelona are reportedly set to lock horns with Villarreal in a LaLiga match in Miami, United States. The game is planned to take place in December 2025 and would be the first-ever league game to played outside Spain.
As per a report in The Athletic, Villarreal will have their home match against Barca at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, instead of Estadio de la Ceramica in Spain. Since 2018, LaLiga have been trying to host league games in the United States, and the first fixture is close to being finalized.
LaLiga's president, Javier Tebas spoke to media earlier this year and admitted that the plan was in discussion. He wants to capitalize on the league's popularity in the United States, and told Spanish newspaper Expansion:
"I think it could be in the 2025-26 season, but La Liga will play official matches abroad. An official match in the U.S. will strengthen our position in the North American market, which is the second market for La Liga after Spain. ... Other very competitive leagues are coming so we cannot always do the same thing, but we cannot allow them to overtake us."
Barcelona have been open to the idea of playing one of their games outside of Spain, and the club President, Joan Laporta, been public about it. In a conversation with CNN earlier this month when he said:
"For a La Liga [match], I think that will be very interesting. I know that the president of La Liga (Javier Tebas) is really keen on celebrating this official game in the States. We are a club that belongs to La Liga, and we are responsible because we want to commercialize La Liga as best as possible. Again, I'm open and [Barcelona] is at the disposal of La Liga."
Although, La Liga's plans might face some issues as the Villarreal vs Barcelona game is scheduled for the weekend of December 20 and 21. The Miami Dolphins also have an NFL match on December 21 at the Hard Rock Stadium, which could force the Spanish sides to change their schedule.
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