Rumors of LaLiga coming to USA have been circulating for years, but on Wednesday LaLiga president Javier Tebas suggested the idea could become reality.
Speaking with Spanish news outlet Expansion, Tebas said the league WILL play official regular season games abroad with a focus on the United States.
“LaLiga will play official matches abroad,” Tebas said. “I think it could be in the 2025-26 season. The official match in the U.S. will strengthen our position in the North American market which is second for LaLiga after Spain.”
LaLiga coming to USA
La Liga president Javier Tebas has suggested the league will play matches abroad. Most likely in the USA from the 2025-26 season pic.twitter.com/20tPhxMAoK
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 24, 2024
LA LIGA GAMES COMING TO AMERICA?
La Liga "will play official matches abroad", its president Javier Tebas told Spanish newspaper Expansion. That could happen from the 2025/26 season & the US is the most likely destination. ⏳What a time to be an American football fan. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/X0IhdH2GN2
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) April 24, 2024
The USA is truly going to become the biggest hotspot for soccer in the coming years. If LaLiga’s games in the States happen in the 2025-26 season, that would happen right after the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
The first-ever 32-team Club World Cup is being hosted in the USA next summer. LaLiga will have Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid representing Spain in the tournament.
There have been mixed reactions to the news. Fans in Europe and Spain are disgusted with the decision and are calling it a money-grab like the decision to play the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.
BREAKING:
La Liga president Javier Tebas has announced that La Liga will play official league fixtures in the USA from the 2025-26 season…This image couldn’t be any more correct. pic.twitter.com/TOD7VzKDDh
— george (@StokeyyG2) April 24, 2024
American fans have responded in a more positive manner with hopes that a bigger league hosting games in the U.S. could influence Major League Soccer to up its standard.
Maybe big European Leagues bringing competitive games to America will finally force MLS to aggressively improve their product, drastically increase the salary cap, invest even more into the academies, better marketing and community outreach.
Maybe…— Tactical Manager (@ManagerTactical) April 24, 2024
One looming question this writer has is which teams will play in the United States? Obviously, clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid could draw a crowd. I worry about the potential scenario of the fan turnout for a regular season LaLiga game between two sides like Sevilla and Valencia.
A game between those two clubs will likely sell out in Spain no problem, but I worry about a miniscule crowd in the U.S. that could look quite embarrassing.
Tebas hasn’t confirmed which clubs would play abroad yet.
