RFEF Approves Barcelona, Villarreal LaLiga Match Plans in Miami

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has approved a request for Barcelona and Villarreal to play their December 20 LaLiga match at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, marking a historic first for the Spanish league to hold an official game abroad. This approval is a significant step in LaLiga President Javier Tebas' longstanding ambition to expand the league's presence internationally, particularly in the United States. The proposal now moves to UEFA for authorization, which must be granted by November 30, after which the relevant regional authorities, CONCACAF and the U.S. Soccer Federation, will be notified. FIFA will be informed of the process but does not need to grant formal approval if procedural steps are followed. The move could boost both LaLiga and Barcelona's market in the U.S., where Barcelona has already sought to build a fan base through preseason tours. This initiative follows nearly a decade of attempts to stage official LaLiga matches outside Spain, overcoming previous regulatory and legal hurdles.