LALIGA has announced that the Matchday 17 fixture of LALIGA EA SPORTS between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona will take place on 20th December 2025 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida (USA)
LALIGA has announced that the Matchday 17 fixture of LALIGA EA SPORTS between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona will take place on 20th December 2025 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida (USA).
“With this match, we are taking a historic step that projects LALIGA and Spanish football into a new dimension. We understand and respect the concerns that this decision may generate, but it is important to put it into context: it is just one match out of the 380 that make up the season. LALIGA represents millions of fans around the world, including many who follow their teams with passion and also deserve the chance to see them live at least once. This match is precisely about bringing our football closer to that global fanbase without diminishing our commitment to those who enjoy it every week in stadiums across Spain,” explained Javier Tebas, President of LALIGA.
“For Villarreal CF, this is a historic opportunity to continue growing and gain visibility in such an important country as the United States. This initiative will allow us to reach fans from other parts of the world and continue expanding the brand of both the club and LALIGA. We are aware that our season-ticket holders will be affected by this match being played abroad, and that is why we will implement important measures to compensate them. We are confident it will be a great experience,” said Villarreal CF President Fernando Roig.
“We are really looking forward to meeting all our fans in the United States again and we would like to thank LALIGA for the opportunity to connect with one of the club’s main strategic markets. We have been visiting the country for many years and have always felt the passion that FC Barcelona inspires. As a global club with millions of supporters around the world, this opportunity strengthens our commitment to international fans, especially in such a key market as the United States. An official match in a city like Miami, with a large Barça community, will undoubtedly be a great spectacle with two teams competing at the highest level,” stated FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta.
This decision is the result of years of dialogue and coordination among all the parties involved, and responds to the request made by the participating clubs, with the backing of LALIGA. The objective is to drive international growth, expand the global fanbase and strengthen LALIGA’s value as one of the best leagues in the world, while fully preserving its integrity. It will also allow the millions of fans that LALIGA has in the United States to experience the thrill of an official match in person, while maintaining the competition’s roots in Spain.
This milestone reinforces the image of Spanish football as a global pioneer and benchmark, while also recognising the growing interest in football in the United States, set against the backdrop of the 2026 World Cup, to be hosted jointly by the USA, Mexico and Canada.
LALIGA reiterates its commitment to supporters in Spain: the match will be broadcast live through official operators, with additional content to enhance the viewing experience. Moreover, compensation measures have been planned for the home club’s season-ticket holders. Villarreal CF season-ticket holders will be able to travel to the match free of charge, while those who choose not to travel to Miami will receive a 30% discount on their season ticket as part of the compensation measures designed to reward their loyalty and support. In the weeks leading up to the match, activation events will be held in the United States for fans to discover and enjoy the full LALIGA experience beyond the match itself.
The staging of this fixture is part of the long-term strategy promoted by LALIGA North America, which has consolidated the Spanish competition’s presence across the continent. Through grassroots programmes, academies, sponsor activations and its strategic partnership with ESPN, LALIGA has strengthened its connection with North American fans and made this vision a reality.
The Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, a regular venue for major sporting and cultural events, will host this historic encounter, with a capacity of over 65,000 spectators.
