Overview
- The approved games are Villarreal vs. Barcelona on December 20, 2025 in Miami and AC Milan vs. Como on February 6, 2026 in Perth.
- UEFA said stakeholder consultations confirmed widespread opposition from fans, leagues, clubs, players and European institutions to relocating domestic matches.
- President Aleksander Ceferin stressed the decision protects league integrity and should not be treated as a precedent.
- UEFA pointed to a regulatory gap as FIFA’s working group has not yet published criteria for authorizing domestic games outside their home countries.
- Football Supporters Europe urged LaLiga and Serie A to withdraw the plans, the European Parliament is considering a resolution urging safeguards, and DFL chief Hans-Joachim Watzke reiterated that Bundesliga fixtures will not be played abroad, as player criticism in Italy prompted a rebuke from Serie A’s leadership.