Barcelona to play in US: Girona to ‘host’ Barca in the United States

Barcelona to play in US: Girona is set to host Barcelona in the first ever La Liga game at the United States.

Girona is set to make history, as the Catalan side will become the first ever Spanish team to host a La Liga game in the United States. This match will be played in the wake of a partnership between La Liga and US-based company, ‘Relevent’, which includes a plan to play at least one La Liga match in USA/Canada.

According to Sport, Girona will play their home game against Barcelona in the United States on January 27. The match will be played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, which serves as the home ground for MLS football side Miami Dolphins.

Sport also reports that approximately 1500 free flights will be arranged for the season ticket holders to Miami. A possibility of an overnight stay in Florida is also underway. The league has reportedly made provisions for those who don’t want to travel to the United States.

5,000 free tickets for the away leg against Barcelona will be arranged for Girona’s season-ticket holders who don’t wish to travel. If they chose to neither travel to the US or Barcelona, they will be refunded around 40% of their cost of season tickets.

Sport also reports that Girona could make around €4 million from their game at the United States of America.

“It’s a 15-year deal but we want to start building the brand now, and the best way for the American people to realise that La Liga is probably the best football league in the world in terms of quality soccer is with a regular season match,” Charlie Stillitano, the executive chairman of Relevent earlier said.

La Liga’s international development director Oscar Mayo termed the partnership with Relevant as a major milestone in the league’s international expansion strategy.