La Liga's president, Javier Tebas, has lauded Hong Kong as an ideal location to host a Spanish football match. This statement comes amidst ongoing discussions and controversies surrounding the prospect of playing regular-season league games overseas.
Tebas's vision aligns with La Liga's broader internationalization strategy, which includes initiatives to grow the league's brand and connect with fans across the globe. He has emphasized the importance of the Asian market and the league's commitment to expanding its presence in the region. As part of this strategy, La Liga has already established offices in China and India and explored opportunities to stage events and games in Asia.
In 2016, Tebas visited Now TV studios in Hong Kong, highlighting the importance of the Asian market, stating that, "It's a very broad and interesting one. It's important that we exploit it to its full". He also mentioned La Liga is working hard to organize events and games in Asia, more specifically in China.
One potential avenue for bringing Spanish football to Hong Kong could be through exhibition matches featuring La Liga legends. In December 2024, Hong Kong Stadium hosted a match between former Real Madrid and Barcelona stars, drawing a crowd of enthusiastic fans. The game featured iconic players such as Iker Casillas, Roberto Carlos, Thierry Henry, and Xavi Hernández. Such events can generate excitement and interest in La Liga, paving the way for more significant ventures.
However, the idea of playing regular-season La Liga matches in Hong Kong or other international locations faces significant obstacles. FIFA regulations currently prohibit league matches from being played in foreign territories. In 2018, FIFA blocked a La Liga match between Barcelona and Girona from being played in Miami.
Despite these challenges, FIFA has recently indicated a willingness to consider changes to its policy regarding overseas games. This shift in stance comes after a lawsuit challenging the existing rules. While any potential changes would require careful consideration and approval from various governing bodies, including UEFA and the US Soccer Federation, it signals a potential pathway for La Liga to realize its international ambitions.
The notion of staging La Liga matches abroad has faced opposition from supporters' groups, who argue that it undermines the integrity of the competition and inconveniences local fans. Tebas has countered these concerns by asserting that overseas fans "have a right to see the matches". He also stated Barcelona and Villarreal are set to play a pioneering regular-season fixture in Miami in December, but that is dependent on Uefa, Fifa and US Soccer all giving their seals of approval.
Beyond exhibition games, La Liga has sought to engage fans in Hong Kong through cultural events. In 2022, La Liga participated in the "Spanish Cultural Fair" at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education. The event aimed to promote Spanish culture, tourism, crafts, and sports, attracting over a thousand visitors.
While the prospect of seeing a regular-season La Liga match in Hong Kong remains uncertain, Javier Tebas's remarks underscore the league's ambition to expand its global footprint and bring the excitement of Spanish football to new audiences.
