Javier Tebas admitted that it was already an open secret. “Apart from a small formal issue, it’s already over,” the La Liga president said at the Sports Summit USA 2025 in Miami. “On Saturday, December 20th, in Miami, an official La Liga match will be played between Villarreal and Barcelona, and I can say that it will be a game with a lot of points on the line.”
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“It will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium, not at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica,” Tebas confirmed. After the green light was given by UEFA, it was only a matter of time before La Liga set the dates and stadiums for the matches.
Regarding complaints from MLS, which has allowed La Liga matches to be held in the US territory, Tebas said: “We are not afraid of opponents from other leagues coming to Spain to play matches, or of the Premier League.”
He reflected on the benefits of this meeting for Miami: “We will be in Miami four to five weeks before the sporting event, and then we will be promoting La Liga’s activities, such as the Disabled League and clubs with ambassadors…We will be visiting different cities in the United States to further increase our profile.”
Villarreal’s statement
“La Liga reiterates its commitment to its Spanish fans. Matches will be broadcast live through official operators and will include additional content to enrich the experience. In addition, compensation measures are also in place for season ticket holders of local clubs. Villarreal season ticket holders will be able to attend the match for free, and those who decide not to travel to Miami will benefit from a 30% discount on the price of their season ticket, as part of measures aimed at compensating support and loyalty. In the weeks leading up to the match, activation events will be held in the United States to allow fans to explore and enjoy the entire La Liga ecosystem beyond the match itself. ”
