La Liga have previously attempted to host games outside of Spain, and they will attempt to do so again. The latest is that one of La Liga’s showpiece fixtures could be taken to the United States of America this season.
Previously, Barcelona against Girona was mooted as a potential match abroad in Miami, Florida, and now Relevo report that the Barcelona clash with Atletico Madrid on Matchday 18 is a candidate to take place at the Hard Rock Stadium. A Villarreal-Atletico match was also suggested, but was denied after the RFEF took legal action to suspend their move.
🇳🇴🥹 Alexander Sørloth: “I told my agent and my family before coming to Spain that I hoped to score enough goals to have the opportunity to play for Atlético Madrid. When they came knocking, I didn't think twice. I always wanted to come to Madrid and play at the Metropolitano.” pic.twitter.com/si9s9TWX2Y
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) August 15, 2024
Both Barcelona and Atletico are interested in the clash for the financial gain, in this case Barcelona would not only help their ailing accounts, but also sacrifice their final match at Montjuic before returning to the renovated Camp Nou. Atletico Madrid, who recently appointed La Liga’s General Director Oscar Mayo as their own.
The tie is scheduled to take place between the 18th of December and the 20th, while the clash in Miami could be organised for any of the same dates. It is the final La Liga matchday before the winter break. La Liga are also working on other potential destinations in case this one falls through, and are keen to involve both clubs in a friendly tournament in Abu Dhabi at the beginning of 2025. Both Presidents, Joan Laporta and Enrique Cerezo, have given La Liga President Javier Tebas the green light.
The matter is a long way from settled though. Tebas is yet to formally propose the matter to the Royal Spanish Football Federation, or the Spanish Player’s Association (AFE). They have broached the friendly tournament with the AFE, as they try to make the calendar work, with the Round of 32 in the Copa del Rey due to take place from the 5th of January 2025, and La Liga returning on the 10th of January.
La Liga is trying to move the Barcelona – Atlético Madrid game of matchday 18, scheduled for December 20-22, to the United States. @AlfredoMatillaG
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 15, 2024
La Liga and Tebas have returned to the offensive due in part to the change in leadership at the RFEF , with Luis Rubiales previously moving to block previous efforts, with the support of AFE President David Aganzo. Currently Pedro Rocha is in charge of the RFEF, but he is facing a possible suspension and elections in September. Relations with Aganzo have improved of late. Meanwhile FIFA were also previously an obstacle, but have now agreed to change their rules to allow domestic competitions to be disputed elsewhere.
Sooner or later, it looks as if Tebas and La Liga will succeed in tearing Spanish football away from Spanish fans in similar fashion to the RFEF with the Spanish Supercup. Clubs and the league stand to benefit financially, as do fans abroad, but it is not yet clear how fans will be compensated for the loss of their competition and a home game. Previous attempts have included travel and accommodation for a few thousand fans, but clearly this does little for the ten-fold more that have season tickets. It will also alter the competitive balance of La Liga.
