La Liga president Javier Tebas has acknowledged the possibility of the upcoming Barcelona-Real Madrid clásico being played outside Spain if both clubs agree, due to uncertainties surrounding Barcelona’s home venue.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has opened the door to the possibility of the upcoming Barcelona-Real Madrid clásico being played outside Spain, provided that both clubs agree to the move.
With the highly anticipated clash scheduled for the weekend of May 10-11, uncertainty remains over its venue due to the ongoing renovation of Camp Nou, which has forced Barcelona to play their home matches at Montjuïc’s Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys this season. However, as the club’s temporary arrangement at the stadium is set to expire on April 30, speculation has arisen over whether an alternative location might be required for the fixture.
Tebas addressed the matter before attending the Madrid Sports Press Association gala, explaining that, as of now, no official communication has been made regarding a change of venue. “We have not been informed about the clásico being unable to take place at Barcelona’s home ground. This has been discussed outside of Spain, but we have no official confirmation. If there is a force majeure issue due to the renovation work, as has happened on other occasions, it would be something to evaluate,” Tebas said. He further emphasized that any decision regarding a change in venue would require Real Madrid’s approval, stating, “They would need Real Madrid’s authorization, and that would have to be studied.”
The possibility of staging El Clásico outside Spain would be unprecedented in La Liga’s modern history, and such a move would undoubtedly generate strong reactions from both fans and football authorities. While major European leagues have previously explored the idea of playing domestic league fixtures abroad most notably in the case of La Liga’s unsuccessful attempt to move a 2018 Barcelona-Girona match to Miami such proposals have consistently faced resistance from fans, clubs, and governing bodies like FIFA and UEFA. However, if Barcelona is unable to secure an extension to use Montjuïc beyond April 30, the need for an alternative solution could reopen discussions about international venues.
Barcelona has been engaged in discussions with Barcelona Serveis Municipals, the entity responsible for managing the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, in an effort to extend their right to use the venue until the end of the season. The stadium, which has hosted Barcelona’s home matches throughout the 2023-24 campaign, was originally secured as a temporary home while Camp Nou undergoes an extensive €1.5 billion redevelopment project, expected to be completed by 2025. However, with no final agreement in place for an extension beyond April, Barcelona could be left scrambling for alternatives.
Despite the logistical complications, playing the clásico abroad could also present financial opportunities for La Liga and both clubs, as such a fixture would attract global interest. Markets such as the United States and the Middle East have long been rumored as potential hosts for high-profile European matches, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid enjoying vast international followings. However, the prospect of moving the match away from Spain would likely provoke strong opposition from supporters, many of whom view such proposals as a betrayal of the league’s traditional identity.
Beyond the clásico discussion, Tebas also weighed in on Barcelona’s controversial attempt to register Dani Olmo, an issue that has sparked further tensions between the club and La Liga’s governing body. Barcelona was granted a temporary injunction by Spain’s Higher Sports Council, which allowed the player’s registration despite the club’s ongoing struggles to comply with La Liga’s financial regulations. Tebas made it clear that La Liga opposes the decision, stating, “We are against his registration, and we are appealing to prevent the player from being officially registered.” His comments reflect the league’s firm stance on financial fair play, an issue that has frequently put La Liga at odds with Barcelona in recent seasons.
Tebas also took the opportunity to address another critical issue in Spanish football: the fight against hate crimes and racism in stadiums. In recent years, incidents of racist abuse directed at players most notably Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior have put La Liga under increased scrutiny regarding its ability to tackle discrimination effectively. Tebas reiterated his commitment to eradicating hate crimes from football and urged the Spanish government to grant La Liga greater authority to implement stronger measures. “We need more power to eliminate these acts completely. The current system does not allow us to act as quickly and decisively as we would like,” he said, emphasizing the importance of stricter regulations and enforcement to ensure a safer environment for players.
As the situation surrounding the clásico’s venue remains unresolved, all eyes will be on Barcelona’s negotiations with local authorities in the coming weeks. If no agreement is reached for Montjuïc’s continued use, the debate over moving the match abroad could gain further traction, igniting controversy over the commercial interests versus the traditional integrity of Spain’s most iconic football rivalry. Meanwhile, Tebas and La Liga continue to navigate multiple legal and regulatory challenges, from Barcelona’s financial situation to the broader fight against discrimination in Spanish football.
