Barcelona vs Atletico Set for Historic Miami Clash

Barcelona plans to play their upcoming La Liga fixture against Atletico Madrid in December in Miami, potentially making it the first La Liga match in the United States. La Liga officials remain hopeful that FIFA, football’s world governing body will approve the move. Scheduled for December 22, the match comes just before La Liga’s winter break. La Liga president Javier Tebas actively pushes for international fixtures as part of his vision to expand the league’s global presence by staging games outside Spain.

In 2019, Barcelona sought to play against Girona in Miami, but Spain’s football association and players’ union blocked the idea. Both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona will compete in the Spanish Super Cup in January 2024, hosted in Saudi Arabia. Although La Liga continues to pursue international expansion, FIFA’s approval remains crucial.

In April 2023, FIFA dropped a legal challenge from match promoter Relevent, who aimed to bring overseas league matches to the U.S. The following month, FIFA set up a working group to assess the impact of holding domestic league matches abroad. Though sources highlight that organizers still need to finalize details, La Liga remains confident about securing approval for the Miami match.

In contrast, the Premier League has stated it has no plans to host games overseas. By staging this match abroad, La Liga looks to strengthen its global fanbase and tap into international markets. If approved, the Barcelona-Atletico game will represent a landmark in La Liga’s efforts to globalize its brand.