LaLiga’s Miami Match Canceled Amid Backlash
LaLiga’s decision to cancel the scheduled match between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami follows significant opposition from both players and clubs, as outlined by Samuel Marsden. The move has raised questions about the viability of hosting major football events in the United States.
Among the discussions in the football world is whether the UEFA Champions League final might soon take place outside Europe, potentially in the U.S. or the Middle East. Recently, Juan Emilio Roa, the commercial director of South America’s CONMEBOL, mentioned that talks regarding hosting the Copa Libertadores outside South America have been underway, largely focused on leveraging commercial opportunities.
Despite the allure and economic benefits of hosting the Champions League final, UEFA noted that Munich remains the only city to have submitted a bid for the 2028 final. Meanwhile, London and Barcelona are competing for the hosting rights for the 2029 final.
Barcelona has not welcomed the Champions League final since they hosted it in 1999, when Manchester United triumphed over Bayern Munich at Camp Nou, a venue which has since undergone extensive renovations. This year’s final was held at Munich’s Allianz Arena between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, while London’s Wembley Stadium hosted the 2024 final.
Due to Milan’s failure to assure UEFA that the San Siro stadium would be fit for hosting, the city was stripped of its hosting rights for 2027. As a result, Atlético Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium was announced as the new location for the 2027 final, having previously hosted it in 2019.
As the possibility of a Champions League final in the U.S. looms, speculations arise about possible matchups, like Real Madrid facing Liverpool in New York or Bayern Munich against PSG in Chicago. Sports executive Charlie Stillitano emphasized that such an event would likely be a resounding success.
While UEFA president Aleksandar Ceferin expressed a desire to keep European league games in their home countries, he also acknowledged that the U.S. presents lucrative opportunities for the Champions League final in the future, despite the recent cancellation of Barcelona’s match in Miami.
In other news, AC Milan is set to play a Serie A match against Como in Perth, Australia, next February. Ceferin has indicated that while he has reservations about hosting league games elsewhere, a Champions League final in the U.S. is a possibility.
However, UEFA faces challenges in finding suitable host cities and venues. The criteria for hosting the final necessitate stadiums with a minimum capacity of 65,000, ample hotel rooms, and robust local infrastructure. As it stands, options such as Wembley, the rebuilt Camp Nou, Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu, and the Metropolitano meet these strict requirements.
The upcoming 2026 final will take place in Budapest at the Puskás Aréna, but sources warn that the city may struggle to accommodate the influx of fans. UEFA has limited options for future finals, as cities like Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kyiv, and Rome face challenges due to ongoing issues or lack of proper infrastructure.
While previous hosts like Vienna, Amsterdam, and Glasgow are no longer viable, cities like Berlin could emerge as contenders if they submit bids. Stillitano reflects on past experiences that show hosting the final in the U.S. could greatly enhance fan experience due to better accessibility.
Ultimately, UEFA must navigate whether to continue limiting host cities to a select few or embrace the global appeal of taking the Champions League final beyond Europe.
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