Hard Rock Stadium reportedly set to host La Liga fixture

Spanish football’s organising body La Liga is reportedly planning to host an official Spanish league game at the Hard Rock Stadium, home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. 

The news, which comes courtesy of Spanish digital newspaper El Confidencial, has revealed that the proposed fixture would see Villarreal take on Atletico Madrid on 8 December. 

The reported plans to host a fixture in the US follows on from the partnership between La Liga and Relevant Sports in which it was announced that at least one official Spanish league match per season would be played abroad.

FC Barcelona were initially set to feature in the first La Liga match on US soil in January 2019 when they were scheduled to take on Girona in Miami. However, following an apparent lack of consensus among stakeholders, Initial plans were ultimately scrapped and the fixture took place on Spanish soil.   

It is reported that the clubs and La Liga already have an agreement in place, however it is understood that approval is still required from the relevant bodies which includes UEFA, the United States Soccer Federation and the Spanish Football Federation. 

Speaking to Spanish radio show El Transistor, Villarreal’s president Fernando Roig stated: “I hope this time it comes to fruition. We’re starting to see if Villarreal-Atleti can be played in Miami. Both us and Atleti have agreed to play in Miami, but I would like this to be a consensual agreement from everyone. I would like there to be a consensual agreement because I think that taking LaLiga abroad would be good for everyone.”

It is understood that La Liga is set to make a formal application to the Spanish FA in October and if successful the fixture will mark the first time that a La Liga match will take place outside of Spain.

The report also states that Villarreal will refund its fans should the fixture it not take place at it’s home stadium, the Estadio de la Ceramica, whilst also adding that vice president Jose Manuel Llaneza has already met with La Liga officials to discuss potential details and arrangements.