BARCELONA: Barcelona will face Villarreal in Miami in a La Liga match on December 20, the Spanish top flight said Wednesday, making it the first European league fixture to be played abroad.
Earlier this week, European football governing body UEFA said they opposed the idea of games being played overseas but would permit it on an exceptional basis, along with a Serie A match in Australia in February between AC Milan and Como.
“With this match we take a historic step that projects La Liga and Spanish football into a new dimension,” said La Liga president Javier Tebas in a statement.
“We understand and respect the concerns that this decision may generate, but it is important to put it into context — it is a single match out of the 380 that make up the season.”
The game was due to be played at Villarreal’s home stadium but will now take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in the United States, in Florida.
Villarreal will take measures to compensate season ticket holders after the game was moved.
“Villarreal season ticket holders will be able to travel for free to the match, and those who choose not to travel to Miami will enjoy a 30 percent discount on their season ticket price as part of the measures designed to reward their support and loyalty,” said La Liga.
In September a total of 18 fan groups from both teams involved expressed their “complete opposition” to the match taking place abroad.
La Liga have attempted to play matches overseas dating back to 2017 but the Spanish football federation (RFEF) frequently resisted, despite hosting the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia themselves.
Barcelona’s rivals Real Madrid have also expressed their disapproval at the decision to take a La Liga game abroad.
They said in August hosting the game in Miami would “alter the competitive balance” of the league and set an “unacceptable precedent.”
La Liga confirm ‘historic’ Barcelona match in Miami
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La Liga confirm ‘historic’ Barcelona match in Miami
- “With this match we take a historic step that projects La Liga and Spanish football into a new dimension,” said Tebas
- The game was due to be played at Villarreal’s home stadium but will now take place at the Hard Rock Stadium
Oracle Red Bull Racing signs global partnership deal with Damac
- UAE developer’s branding will appear on the RB22 car’s halo and side pods, as well as the driver kit, helmets, and race suits
DUBAI: Oracle Red Bull Racing has signed a global partnership deal with Damac Properties, the largest private real estate developer in the UAE and the Middle East.
The Formula 1 racing team is one of the most successful in motorsport history, with a driver lineup that features four-time world champion Max Verstappen alongside rising talent Isack Hadjar.
Damac Properties branding will appear on the Oracle Red Bull Racing RB22 car’s halo and side pods, as well as the team principle and driver team kit, helmets, and race suits.
Over the years, Damac has partnered with brands that include Roberto Cavalli, Paramount, and Chelsea Football Club.
Speaking about the announcement, Amira Sajwani, managing director of sales and development at Damac Properties, said the developer was proud to partner with Oracle Red Bull Racing.
“Formula 1 represents precision, innovation, and elite performance at the highest level, values that resonate deeply with our brand DNA. I truly believe that no real estate developer in the UAE has built a partnership portfolio as diverse and globally impactful as Damac’s, and this collaboration is a powerful testament to that journey,” Sajwani said.
Laurent Mekies, CEO and team principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, said that the partnership “will open avenues for stronger global engagement and create meaningful impact for both organizations.”
He added: “This partnership reflects our mindset as a business and our vision for the future.”
Ali Sajwani, managing director of operations, finance and hospitality at Damac, said: “Formula 1 has always been a passion of mine, and I deeply understand both the scale and global influence of this industry. At Damac, we are constantly seeking partnerships that are distinctive, powerful, and aligned with our ambition to be a trendsetter in the market.”
The announcement follows Damac’s global partnership with Chelsea Football Club, unveiled in April 2025, with the developer becoming the club’s front-of-jersey sponsor for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. The collaboration also marked the launch of Chelsea Residences by Damac, the world’s first football-branded residential development, located in Dubai.
