LaLiga's Pursuit of a Regular-Season Game in the United States

LaLiga president Javier Tebas has reaffirmed his commitment to staging a regular-season soccer match in the United States, despite previous setbacks. The initiative aims to replicate the success of American sports leagues like the NFL and NBA, which have successfully hosted games abroad. Tebas expressed optimism about the potential for LaLiga to engage with a broader audience, stating, "We are going to try again. I'm not sure when. We have to bring it up at the right time."

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The initial plan to host a LaLiga match in the U.S. involved a game between FC Barcelona and Villarreal at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 20, 2019. However, this plan was scrapped due to significant opposition from various stakeholders, including clubs, players, and fans, who argued that playing a match overseas could compromise the fairness of the competition. Tebas countered this concern, asserting that "one match out of 380 in a season" would not cause damage to the league's integrity.

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Despite receiving approval from UEFA and the Spanish soccer federation for the 2019 match, LaLiga faced considerable pushback, including a player protest. The game promoter, Relevent, ultimately postponed the event, citing insufficient time to execute such a large-scale event properly. Tebas emphasized the need for European soccer to embrace global opportunities, stating, "Instead, the United States, which opens the doors for us to go, we close them here in Europe."

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Tebas believes that hosting a match in the U.S. would not only promote LaLiga but also enhance its financial prospects through increased global broadcast rights. He noted that major European leagues have benefited from international fan engagement, which has led to lucrative television deals. "We celebrate Halloween, which we never celebrated 20 years ago," he remarked, highlighting the cultural exchange facilitated by international sports events.

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In his remarks at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit, Tebas underscored the importance of adapting to the evolving landscape of global sports. He pointed out that U.S. leagues have successfully cultivated international fanbases, suggesting that LaLiga should follow suit to remain competitive.

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While LaLiga's ambitions are clear, the feasibility of staging a match in the U.S. remains uncertain. The previous attempt in 2019 was hindered by FIFA's policy emphasizing that official league matches must be played within the territory of the respective member association. Additionally, the ongoing situation regarding Manchester City's alleged financial breaches has created further uncertainty within the league, as noted by Tebas, who stated, "When you have this type of situation, you're generating uncertainty and that's damaging for an institution's image."

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• “We are going to try again. I'm not sure when. We have to bring it up at the right time,” — Javier Tebas, President of LaLiga

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• “We are talking about one match out of 380 in a season.” — Javier Tebas, President of LaLiga

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• “When you have this type of situation, you're generating uncertainty and that's damaging for an institution's image," Tebas said.” — Javier Tebas, President of LaLiga

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