Why Was Villarreal vs. Barcelona Canceled in Miami?

The recent La Liga match between Barcelona and Villarreal, initially scheduled for 20 December in Miami, has been cancelled due to organisational challenges and a lack of clarity regarding financial arrangements. This match would have marked a historic moment as it was set to be the first regular-season match of a European top-flight league held in the United States, a move that has faced significant backlash and raised concerns within the Spanish football community.

Last updated: 20 October 2023 (BST)

What’s happening now

La Liga has officially cancelled the planned fixture between Villarreal and Barcelona, which was set to take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The league expressed regret over the decision, citing insufficient time to properly organise the match and growing uncertainty in Spain regarding the event. This cancellation represents a significant setback for La Liga’s ambitions to increase its international profile and explore new revenue streams through global expansion.

Key takeaways

• The La Liga match between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami on 20 December has been cancelled.
• The Spanish football federation (RFEF) had previously approved the match, sparking controversy and player protests.
• Promoters cited "insufficient time" and "uncertainty in Spain" as reasons for cancellation.
• Spanish football expert Guillem Balague suggests financial confusion contributed to the decision.
• This match would have marked the first regular-season European top-flight league game in the US.

Timeline: how we got here

The timeline of events leading to the cancellation of the match includes several key dates and decisions:

• August 2023: The RFEF approved plans to move the Villarreal vs. Barcelona match to Miami.
• 20 October 2023: La Liga officially cancels the match, citing insufficient time and uncertainty.

What’s new vs what’s known

New today/this week

The most recent development is the confirmation of the match's cancellation. La Liga expressed disappointment, emphasising that this setback hinders its plans for international growth and revenue generation. The league's statement reflects a commitment to finding alternative opportunities for global expansion in the future.

What was already established

Prior to the cancellation, there was significant discontent among players regarding the move to Miami, with protests occurring during La Liga matches. Coaches, including Barcelona's Hansi Flick, voiced concerns about the implications for their teams. Financial disagreements and uncertainties also emerged, particularly around how Villarreal would be compensated for participating in the match.

Impact for the UK

Consumers and households

The cancellation does not directly impact UK consumers or households. However, it may affect fans who had planned to travel to Miami for the match, as well as those interested in the potential for greater international exposure of La Liga.

Businesses and jobs

The cancellation of the match could have implications for businesses involved in the promotion and organisation of international sporting events. Additionally, any planned economic boost for local businesses in Miami due to the influx of fans and tourists has been lost, impacting jobs related to hospitality and tourism.

Policy and regulation

The RFEF and La Liga's decisions highlight ongoing tensions within Spanish football regarding international expansion. This incident may prompt further discussions about regulations governing the location of matches and the financial arrangements associated with them, potentially leading to future policy changes.

Numbers that matter

• 1: This match would have been the first regular-season European top-flight league match held in the US.
• 5,000: Villarreal reportedly anticipated that around 5,000 fans would travel to Miami for the match.
• 4: The Spanish Super Cup has been held in Saudi Arabia in four of the past five seasons, showcasing La Liga's attempts at international expansion.

Definitions and jargon buster

• RFEF: Real Federación Española de Fútbol, the governing body for football in Spain.
• La Liga: The top professional football division in Spain.
• Hard Rock Stadium: A multi-purpose stadium located in Miami, Florida, which was set to host the match.

How to think about the next steps

Near term (0–4 weeks)

In the immediate future, fans and stakeholders will be monitoring La Liga’s next moves regarding international matches. The league may consider alternative locations or events to pursue its global ambitions.

Medium term (1–6 months)

Over the next few months, La Liga may re-evaluate its approach to international fixtures, assessing the financial viability and logistical support for future matches outside of Spain. Observers will be keen to see if any new partnerships or agreements are forged.

Signals to watch

• Announcements regarding future international fixtures or events by La Liga.
• Statements from clubs regarding their willingness to participate in matches abroad.
• Financial reports from La Liga related to international revenues and partnerships.

Practical guidance

Do

• Stay informed about La Liga’s decisions regarding international matches.
• Follow updates from clubs regarding their financial and logistical arrangements for any future events.

Don’t

• Dismiss the importance of international exposure for leagues like La Liga.
• Assume that the cancellation signals a permanent end to international matches for Spanish football.

Checklist

• Monitor La Liga’s official announcements regarding future international plans.
• Consider the implications of international matches on local economies.
• Stay updated on the financial health of clubs involved in such fixtures.
• Engage with fan communities to gauge reactions and sentiments regarding global matches.

Risks, caveats, and uncertainties

This cancellation highlights the challenges of organising sporting events internationally, particularly concerning financial agreements and logistical support. There remains uncertainty regarding La Liga’s long-term strategy for global expansion and whether future attempts will face similar challenges. Stakeholders should approach upcoming developments with cautious optimism, recognising the complexities involved.

Bottom line

The cancellation of the Villarreal vs. Barcelona match in Miami signifies a setback for La Liga’s international ambitions. As the league seeks to enhance its global presence, it must address the underlying financial and organisational issues that contributed to this decision. Future efforts will likely require clearer financial arrangements and better communication among involved parties.

FAQs

Why was the La Liga match in Miami cancelled?

The match was cancelled due to "insufficient time" to organise the event and growing uncertainty regarding financial arrangements, as stated by La Liga and its promoters.

What impact does this cancellation have on La Liga's international plans?

This cancellation represents a significant setback for La Liga's goals of expanding its global footprint and generating new revenue through international fixtures.

Will there be future La Liga matches held outside Spain?

While this match was cancelled, La Liga’s president has expressed a desire to pursue international fixtures in the future, indicating that this may not be the end of similar initiatives.