La Liga has officially cancelled its plan to stage the upcoming Villarreal vs Barcelona fixture in Miami, citing growing uncertainty and domestic opposition within Spain. The match, originally scheduled for December 20 at Hard Rock Stadium, would have marked the first time a European league game was played outside the continent.
In a statement released Tuesday, La Liga attributed the decision to its event promoter, who withdrew from organizing the match due to “uncertainty generated in Spain in recent weeks.” The league expressed deep regret over the cancellation, describing the initiative as a “historic and unparalleled opportunity” to expand Spanish football’s global reach.
The move had previously received reluctant approval from UEFA, despite concerns over its compatibility with FIFA statutes. However, backlash intensified over the weekend when players across La Liga staged coordinated protests, standing still for the first 15 seconds of their matches. The Spanish Footballers’ Association criticized the league’s handling of the proposal, citing a lack of transparency and dialogue.
Tickets for the Miami match were set to go on sale this week, but La Liga delayed the presale, initially attributing the postponement to technical issues. The cancellation now confirms that the match will not take place abroad, dealing a setback to La Liga’s broader ambitions for international expansion.
The league has not announced alternative arrangements for the fixture, which is expected to be held in Spain as originally planned.
