U.S. soccer fans could be set to receive an early Christmas present courtesy of La Liga, as plans to stage Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid Stateside are gaining pace.
Rumors have always speculated that a domestic European match could be played in the United States. However, the latest news indicates that it could be closer than many expected.
According to reports, La Liga will stage the fixture between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in Miami around December 22.
It isn’t the first time Javier Tebas has mentioned a potential league match being played in North America. The La Liga president revealed that plans were put into motion in August.
Hard Rock Stadium to Host Spanish Giants
Reports on Wednesday claimed that the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami is the front-runner to host the match, with both clubs keen to press ahead due to the financial benefits.
The match would be Barcelona’s home fixture against Atletico. It’s worth mentioning that the match is already set to take place away from the Catalonian club’s typical home of the Nou Camp. At present, Barcelona are playing in the city’s Olympic Stadium due to renovations.
Tebas has long advocated for playing domestic matches overseas. He has citied the success enjoyed by the NBA and NFL when they stage matches in Europe as a clear indication that the market is there.
International Game Previously Blocked in La Liga
Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid isn’t the first match that La Liga bosses have looked to take overseas. Back in 2019, the Spanish FA blocked moves by La Liga to play first Girona vs. Barcelona and then Villarreal vs. Atletico.
However, there is fresh hope that a deal could be easier to strike now that former chief Luis Rubiales is out of the picture. The disgraced RFEF president resigned from his position following the Jennifer Hermoso scandal at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
FIFA could yet block the move. The soccer governing body has always opposed the idea of domestic league matches being played overseas. The official rules state that ‘official league games must be played within the territory of the respective member association’.
Catalonians Pushing for Barcelona vs. Atletico in U.S.
Along with Atletico, Barcelona is the biggest force pushing for a domestic La Liga match to be played in the U.S. The Catalonian club played a friendly in Dallas last December. They then sold out the MetLife Stadium in a pre-season fixture against Real Madrid in the summer.
Their reason for wanting a match in the U.S. couldn’t be clearer. Money, not the adoring American public, is at the heart of their ambition.
Barcelona have an estimated debt of nearly $2.5 billion. Furthermore, they are reportedly losing over $50 million per season due to playing away from the Spotify Camp Nou.
The club are expected to move back into their historic stadium at the start of 2025. However, the capacity will be capped at 60,000 until the summer of 2026.
Before any match in the U.S., Barcelona’s attention this weekend will be on the first El Clasico of the season against Real Madrid.
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