• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

LaLiga Might Finally Get Its U.S. Regular-Season Game

  • LaLiga has faced legal hurdles to getting a game in the U.S. since 2018.
  • A December match in Miami is currently being considered.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Spain’s top soccer league has been trying and failing to play a regular-season match in the U.S. for years. It could finally happen in December.

A Dec. 22 match between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid might be moved to Miami, according to multiple reports

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross heads the promoter Relevent Sports, which has been working with LaLiga to bring a game to The 305 since at least 2018.

There have been plenty of roadblocks along the way, including cancellations of games scheduled for 2018 and 2019; Relevent eventually filed a lawsuit against FIFA and U.S. Soccer. Earlier this year, LaLiga and Relevent settled with FIFA, with the global body agreeing to review its rules around playing games abroad. Spain’s national federation, RFEF, has also opposed U.S. games in the past, but that was when it was led by former president Luis Rubiales, who has been connected to a number of scandals including a nonconsensual kiss on the Women’s World Cup stage and a potential corruption and money laundering scheme tied to Saudi Arabia.

If the match is going to Miami, some creativity will be required. The Dolphins are scheduled to host the 49ers on Dec. 22 with a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. (Both Barca and Atlético have about two weeks off after the Dec. 22 fixture, so it’s possible the game could simply be moved to another date. The Niners matchup is the Dolphins’ only home game scheduled after Dec. 8.)

Barcelona and Atlético were each tied to one of those games in 2018 and 2019. Once the clubs sign on, the move also needs approval from the Spanish federation, U.S. Soccer, Concacaf, and UEFA.

It’s not quite as simple as the NFL’s ever-expanding world tour. The Jacksonville Jaguars have taken the lead by playing in London every year and are looking to extend that deal. Commissioner Roger Goodell wants to increase the number of international games from five to 16 per year, and the league is interested in a potential international-media-rights package worth more than $1 billion. The NBA has also played a large number of regular-season games abroad, most recently with an annual game in Paris. In November, the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards will play in Mexico City, another favorite of the league.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) takes to the court on Jan. 22, 2025, ahead a game against the Purdue Boilermakers.

Unrivaled Makes NIL Splash During WNBA All-Star Weekend

The 3-on-3 women’s basketball league signed 14 college players to NIL deals.
Jul 13, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announces the pick for the Athletics pick during the MLB Draft at The Coca-Cola Roxy.

Manfred Says MLB Had Wrong Approach to Creators Like Jomboy

“You gotta go where people are going,” the commissioner said.
(NCL_OSU_11_SUGAR_LAURON 04JAN11) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) slips around the Arkansas Razorbacks defense during first half of the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, January 4, 2011.

Terrelle Pryor’s Case for NIL Backpay Dismissed in Court

Pryor played seven years in the NFL after leaving OSU amid a scandal.

Featured Today

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
July 17, 2025

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.

Golf’s Prize Money Boom Is Slowing Down

There is no purse increase at The Open Championship.
Feb 7, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Calais Campbell (middle) receives the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award from executive director Lloyd Howell (left) and president) JC Tretter (right) at the NFLPA Press Conference at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center prior to Super Bowl LVIII.
July 18, 2025

What Comes Next After NFLPA Chief’s Sudden Resignation?

Howell quit on his own accord; he was not forced out.
July 18, 2025

WNBA Stars Say Zero Progress Made at CBA Meeting

The WNBA and its union had their first in-person meeting Thursday.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 18, 2025

New NFLPA Head Will Face Multibillion-Dollar Decisions

The next NFLPA leader will wrestle with a series of pressing issues.
Lloyd Howell
July 18, 2025

Scandal-Ridden NFLPA Chief Lloyd Howell Quits

The union executive director stepped down late Thursday night.
July 17, 2025

Unrivaled Founder Says Growing League Has ‘No Conflict’ With WNBA

Alex Bazzell co-founded Unrivaled with Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
exclusive
July 17, 2025

WNBA, Union Make Little Progress on CBA at All-Star Meeting

Over 40 players showed up for labor negotiations with the league.