Barcelona vs Villarreal, Milan vs. Como: Why is the overseas league no longer a problem?

Barcelona and Villarreal are about to face off in Miami, and AC Milan and Cuomo will also face off in Perth. These arrangements have sparked heated discussions in football. Some observers are concerned that such events may affect local fans' viewing, undermine competitive fairness or deviate from tradition. But upon closer inspection, these games actually reflect the actual needs and evolutionary trends of football development, rather than threatening fans or the integrity of the competition. UEFA has clearly defined these events as "special cases", emphasizing that domestic leagues should still be played in the local area in principle. At the same time, the current FIFA constitution does not explicitly prohibit the hosting of leagues overseas. This means that in certain circumstances, clubs can apply for special permits, and UEFA's role is primarily to ensure the rationality of these applications. This is not a policy shift, but a prudent adaptation to the modern football environment. The backgrounds of the two overseas matches are different. Milan chose Perth for logistical reasons: San Siro Stadium will host the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, causing the team to lose their home court. Approval of overseas schedules ensures that the league schedule is not disturbed. Barcelona's Battle in Miami reflects La Liga's long-term internationalization strategy. Over the past decade, La Liga has continued to invest in global promotion, actively reaching the fan group outside Spain through the establishment of overseas offices and partnerships.

Such events also have social significance. Football fans are spread all over the world. Fans in the United States, Australia and other places rarely have the opportunity to experience the top European leagues firsthand. For these fans, the overseas league offers a rare opportunity to experience top football up close. This is not to weaken the experience of local fans, but to expand the charm of football to a wider group.

Even at home, there is a rare situation where the stadium is completely full. Villarreal's average attendance rate at home last year was about 78%, and it is hard to say that the Nou Camp was full without tourists. Watching fluctuations caused by work, health or personal affairs are normal. Against this background, a small number of overseas events have become a supplement rather than a substitute for local experience.

The concerns about competitive fairness are understandable. Away games are already full of challenges, and the team still needs to cope with the fatigue of travel, unfamiliar environments and competitive pressures. Playing a game or two in a neutral position or overseas has not fundamentally changed this dynamic. From a realistic perspective, challenges at the competitive level still exist.

Modern football has been integrated into a broader entertainment ecosystem. Fans now have high-definition broadcasting, streaming media platforms and a variety of casual options. Overseas events provide new ways to participate for fans across the ocean. Under strict management, a small number of overseas competitions will not detract from the value of domestic competitions, but will instead confirm the global attributes of football.

Both leagues have taken pragmatic measures: the schedule fully considers the recovery of players after long-distance flights, and the regulatory mechanism also ensures fairness. These overseas events are limited exceptions and unconventional beginnings.