UEFA opens the door to moving championship matches abroad

For the first time in the history of European football, two domestic championship matches in Spain and Italy will be played outside the continent. UEFA's decision, taken "with reluctance" and "exceptionally", marks a world premiere, but also opens an intense debate about the future of European football and the balance between tradition and commercial interests.

• An unprecedented decision

UEFA's executive committee has approved requests from La Liga and Serie A to relocate two official championship matches. Thus, the Villarreal-Barcelona match will be played on December 20 in Miami (USA), and the AC Milan-Como duel will take place on February 8, 2026 in Perth (Australia). UEFA explained that although the decision goes against its principles regarding the integrity of domestic competitions, FIFA's regulatory framework "is not currently clear enough" to prohibit relocation. "While it is regrettable that these two matches have to be allowed to take place abroad, this decision is exceptional and should not be seen as a precedent,” said UEFA President Aleksander Èeferin.

• Commercial pressure and logistical reasons

The decision comes after years of pressure from La Liga, which has been pursuing the possibility of holding official matches outside Spain for more than a decade, particularly in the American market. The reasons cited are mainly commercial: expanding its fan base, increasing TV rights revenue and strengthening the league's brand outside Europe.

In the case of Serie A, the argument is logistical. The AC Milan-Como match was scheduled to coincide with the opening ceremony of the upcoming Winter Olympics, which would have generated major organizational problems. However, both leagues are taking advantage of the period of legislative uncertainty in which FIFA is reviewing its rules on playing official matches outside national borders.

• Supporter reactions and opposition

The relocation of the matches has sparked strong reactions, especially from supporters' associations. Organised groups in Spain and Italy have condemned the decision, arguing that football "belongs to local communities" and that moving matches "undermines the competitive spirit". "It is a dangerous step. Once we open this door, big clubs will start playing more and more often outside Europe, pursuing only commercial interests," the European Football Supporters Association (FSE) said in a statement. Although UEFA insists that the decision does not set a precedent, sports analysts warn that the moment marks a paradigm shift. As football becomes increasingly globalised, the geographical boundaries of domestic competitions seem increasingly fragile.

The move to the US and Australia is a test for the future of European football - a test between the global market and local loyalty, between commercial spectacle and the identity of the sport.