Real Madrid’s recent matches against Al Hilal and Juventus during their international tour underscored a significant absence: an official LaLiga EA Sports commitment in the United States. For the first time, Latin American fans-demonstrably devoted to Spanish football-will not have the possibility to see league action on their home soil, reviving debate around the long-stalled “LaLiga Miami” project.
The ambition to stage official LaLiga matches in North America, notably in Miami, has been a recurring theme for over a decade. Initially proposed in 2018 with a planned game between Girona and Barcelona, the venture faced fierce opposition from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and UEFA, who deemed it a violation of the principle that league games must be played within the host nation’s territory. Despite securing a $300 million investment from Relevant Sports, a marketing firm owned by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, the project was indefinitely suspended.
The core dispute centers on maintaining the integrity of the competition and the sporting calendar. The RFEF and UEFA argued that exporting league matches would devalue the domestic product and disrupt established structures. LaLiga, though, maintains that the initiative is crucial for expanding its global reach and tapping into the lucrative North American market, particularly the significant Hispanic population. The planned games were intended to be fully sanctioned, with teams traveling to the U.S. to play official league fixtures.While Real Madrid’s tour highlights the existing fan base, the absence of a LaLiga commitment in the U.S. represents a lost opportunity for revenue and engagement. The league continues to explore options for increasing its presence in North America, but the “forbidden dream” of LaLiga Miami remains on hold, pending resolution of the jurisdictional conflict with European football authorities. Fans are now invited to share their opinions via AS’s comment sections, newsletters, app, and WhatsApp channel.
