The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has, with considerable hesitation, granted permission for two high-profile league matches – one from Italy’s Serie A and another from Spain’s La Liga – to be played outside their respective home countries. This rare concession comes after requests from clubs including Italy’s AC Milan and Spain’s Barcelona, both seeking to host official fixtures on foreign soil.
The first of these exceptional encounters will see Barcelona take on Villarreal in a La Liga fixture scheduled for late December in Miami, United States. Following this, AC Milan is set to face Como in an Italian Serie A match in early February 2026, which will be held in Perth, Australia.
AC Milan’s proposal to play outside their iconic San Siro stadium and Italy stems from a unique logistical challenge. Both the stadiums in Milan and Como are slated for preparations to host the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games on February 6, 2026. La Liga, on the other hand, has harbored ambitions for over a decade to expand its global reach by playing matches abroad. This strategy is seen as a powerful marketing tool, mirroring the successful international exposure enjoyed by major American sports leagues such as the NBA and NFL.
Despite these specific circumstances, UEFA maintains a firm stance against the general principle of domestic league matches being held overseas. The governing body affirmed that its Executive Committee’s decision to permit these two regional league fixtures abroad was made with notable reluctance. UEFA also indicated that proposals submitted to the international football federation (FIFA) for similar overseas matches are currently under scrutiny due to a perceived lack of clarity and detailed information. Furthermore, UEFA explicitly stated its intention to continue opposing any future requests of this nature.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin underscored this strong opposition, asserting that league matches should strictly remain within their home countries. He articulated concerns that playing abroad could potentially disrupt the integrity of the competition, diminish fan loyalty, and ultimately damage the traditional matchday atmosphere. Ceferin conveyed his viewpoint, stating, “League matches should only be played domestically. Anything else represents a detachment that makes loyal fans lose out and harms the original match environment. While we regretfully allowed these two matches to be organized abroad, this decision is an exception, and other teams should not follow this example. Our primary objective is to protect each national football league and ensure that football thrives in its proper environment within their respective leagues.”
In contrast to UEFA’s cautious stance, Serie A has warmly welcomed the decision. The Italian league views this approval as a valuable opportunity for its clubs, particularly given the Olympic preparations affecting AC Milan and Como’s home grounds. Serie A President Ezio Simonelli highlighted the potential benefits, describing AC Milan’s and Como’s overseas fixture as a significant step towards raising the international profile of Italian football and expanding its global fanbase.
