The match, originally scheduled for Villarreal's home stadium, the Estadi de la Ceramica, will now take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 20th. This change affects Barcelona's matchday 17 away trip to Villarreal.
La Liga's statement on the decision emphasizes the significance of this match, stating, "With this match, we are taking a historic step that projects LaLiga and Spanish football into a new dimension." The statement also acknowledges potential concerns, noting, "We understand the concerns this decision may raise, but it is just one match out of the 380 that make up the season."
Some La Liga clubs have expressed concerns about the move, suggesting that it gives Barcelona an unfair advantage by allowing them to avoid playing in a challenging environment. However, the decision remains in place for the upcoming match.
