UEFA Gives Reluctant Approval for Milan, Barcelona to Host Domestic Matches Abroad

UEFA’s Executive Committee has reluctantly approved exceptions that will allow AC Milan and Barcelona to host domestic league matches on foreign soil this season. The decision marks a rare departure from long-held principles safeguarding national league borders.

Barcelona’s La Liga fixture versus Villarreal will now be staged in Miami this December, while Milan’s Serie A match against Como is scheduled for Perth, Australia in February. The relocation for Milan’s game is driven by the unavailability of San Siro, which is booked for the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

While UEFA reaffirmed its opposition in principle to shifting domestic games abroad—citing risks to competition integrity and disenfranchisement of loyal fans—it acknowledged regulatory ambiguities under FIFA rules that allowed the exceptions. The governing body emphasized these approvals are one-off and should not be treated as a precedent.

In defiance of concerns, La Liga has long eyed international expansion—taking cues from U.S. sports leagues—while Serie A sees this as a visibility boost, despite the burden placed on local supporters facing great travel distances. UEFA has pledged to work with FIFA to tighten rules and prevent similar cases in the future.