UEFA has officially authorized La Liga and Serie A to hold league fixtures outside their traditional territories, a move the European football authority described as both “unfortunate” and “highly exceptional.”
This unprecedented approval permits Barcelona to host their La Liga match against Villarreal in Miami, Florida, while AC Milan will play their Serie A game versus Como in Perth, Australia. These events mark the first occasions where top-tier European domestic league matches will take place beyond their national borders.
The decision followed separate appeals from the Spanish and Italian football federations, which UEFA’s Executive Committee in Tirana accepted with considerable hesitation. UEFA’s official release reaffirmed its strong disapproval of relocating domestic league games internationally but acknowledged that ambiguities in FIFA’s current regulations left them with limited options.
“UEFA remains firmly against the idea of domestic league matches being played outside their home countries,” the statement declared. “After extensive discussions involving fans, leagues, clubs, players, and European institutions, it was evident that the majority opposed this initiative. Nevertheless, due to the lack of clear and comprehensive FIFA guidelines, the UEFA Executive Committee has reluctantly granted exceptional approval for these two requests. UEFA will actively participate in FIFA’s ongoing efforts to establish regulations that preserve the integrity of domestic competitions and maintain the vital connection between clubs, their supporters, and local communities.”
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin also voiced his disappointment in a separate statement, emphasizing that this approval should not be interpreted as a precedent. “League fixtures belong on home soil; moving them elsewhere disenfranchises dedicated fans and risks distorting competition fairness,” Čeferin remarked. “While it is regrettable to permit these two matches, this decision is an exception and must not be viewed as a standard. Our priority remains to protect the authenticity of national leagues and ensure football stays rooted in its local environment.”
The Barcelona versus Villarreal game in Miami is slated for January 2026, with the Milan versus Como match in Australia planned for February 2026. UEFA reiterated its opposition to the concept and pledged to push for new regulations that would prevent future domestic league games from being held abroad.
Reports indicate that FIFA will have the ultimate authority, as it finalizes updated rules on this issue. UEFA representatives are collaborating closely with FIFA’s working group to ensure forthcoming policies explicitly forbid the relocation of domestic fixtures outside their home nations.
The announcement has ignited strong opposition from fan organizations and European officials alike. Glenn Micallef, the European Union’s Sport Commissioner, condemned the idea last month, stating that hosting domestic league matches abroad “is not innovation, but a betrayal.” Meanwhile, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) criticized UEFA’s hesitant approval despite its stated disapproval.
In their statement, FSE declared: “We stand united with fans in Spain and Italy in opposing these harmful proposals. Alongside our members in these countries, we are exploring every avenue to challenge these plans. By forcing these matches overseas, La Liga and Serie A risk damaging their heritage and long-term viability, inflicting lasting harm on European football and beyond. It is imperative to establish a robust regulatory framework that safeguards domestic competitions. We remain committed to collaborating with UEFA, European institutions, and all stakeholders to amplify supporters’ voices and protect the future of football in Europe.”
Despite the backlash, UEFA officials stressed that the exceptional clearance was a procedural necessity rather than an endorsement, reaffirming their dedication to preserving the tradition and integrity of European domestic football.
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