Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid could be played in the US in December

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid could be played in the US in December

La Liga is in talks with FIFA, UEFA and the Spanish FA to move the December 22 clash between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid from Barcelona’s temporary Olympic Stadium to Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, per the Daily Mail.

La Liga president Javier Tebas, who sees the United States market as a crucial growth opportunity, has been pushing for domestic games to be played in North America.

Barcelona are enthusiastic about the potential payday, which is unsurprising considering their well-documented financial issues.

They recently played a friendly against Real Madrid in a packed New Jersey stadium, demonstrating the strong US demand for Spanish football.

However, hosting games overseas will not be straightforward. La Liga already attempted a similar move in 2019 but faced opposition from the Spanish FA and FIFA regulations.

With a change in leadership at the Spanish FA, La Liga may have found more receptive ears.

FIFA’s stance remains a question mark. They are not massive fans of staging domestic games abroad.

The potential financial windfall for Barcelona and Atletico will likely cause friction with other La Liga clubs as they may consider this an unfair competitive advantage.

The prospect of La Liga playing a domestic fixture in the United States has generated major buzz. While the idea might seem audacious, it could serve as a blueprint for the Premier League.

Several Premier League clubs – Aston Villa, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Fulham and Newcastle United – played summer friendlies in the US just two summers ago.

Those matches drew large crowds and significant media attention, showing the appetite for top-tier English football in the United States.

Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United also filled out massive stadiums while touring the US over previous summers.

A regular-season fixture could capitalise on this enthusiasm, potentially creating a new revenue stream for Premier League clubs.

There are challenges to overcome. The logistical complexities of transporting teams and fans across the Atlantic are significant.

The potential disruption to the domestic schedule would need careful consideration.

However, the rewards could be substantial. A US-based fixture could increase the league’s global reach, attract new sponsors and boost merchandise sales. It’s a risk, but one that could pay off handsomely.