In a groundbreaking development that could reshape the global football calendar, Relevent Sports and the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) have reached a settlement that officially ends a years-long legal battle and removes the last legal hurdle preventing foreign domestic leagues from staging official matches in the United States.

The case, which began in 2018, centered around Relevent’s attempt to bring a La Liga match between Barcelona and Girona to Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. The proposal was blocked by FIFA regulations prohibiting league matches from being played outside their home countries, triggering a legal challenge from Relevent. The company, founded by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, argued that FIFA and USSF were violating antitrust laws by restricting such games.

While FIFA settled with Relevent in 2024, the lawsuit against USSF continued until now. The recent agreement signals the end of legal opposition and opens the door for clubs from Europe’s top domestic leagues to explore playing official, competitive matches on American soil.

Danny Sillman, CEO of Relevent Sports, hailed the settlement as a pivotal step for the growth of the game in the U.S. “With this resolution, we look forward to working with leagues, clubs, and governing bodies to bring global football to American fans in new and exciting ways,” he said. The move is particularly timely, coming just over a year before the United States co-hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Though the legal barriers have now been removed, the actual hosting of European league matches in the U.S. still hinges on other factors. Leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and Bundesliga along with their clubs and supporter bases must approve any plans to move official fixtures abroad. The settlement does not guarantee games will be played in the U.S., but it makes the once-unthinkable possibility a very real option.

This decision could spark debate across the footballing world. Traditionalists may object to taking home matches away from local fans, while others will see the move as a logical step in football’s ongoing globalization particularly with the U.S. market booming in terms of broadcasting, merchandising, and fan engagement.

For American soccer fans, this settlement represents a potential golden ticket: the chance to see meaningful league matches featuring elite European clubs without crossing the Atlantic. For the sport as a whole, it could mark the beginning of a new chapter in how and where football is consumed and commercialized.

As of now, no European league has confirmed plans to stage a match in the U.S., but with the legal groundwork cleared, such announcements may just be a matter of time.