It does seem inevitable that more European clubs will follow suit if Barcelona and Atletico Madrid successfully pull off a match in the US. While Celtic may be watching with interest, I understand your hesitation. The tradition and fan culture of clubs like Celtic are deeply rooted in local support, and a move like this could feel like prioritizing commercial interests over the loyal fanbase. Playing abroad may offer financial benefits, but it risks diluting the authentic matchday experience. Would you ever support Celtic playing a competitive fixture abroad, or is it a firm “no” for you?

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid could potentially face off in Miami this season, as speculation mounts around La Liga’s plans to stage a fixture in the USA. According to reports from ‘El País,’ La Liga is exploring the idea of moving their Matchday 18 clash, originally set for December 21 or 22, to Miami. If this happens, it would mark a bold step in expanding the league’s international presence, following previous efforts to host matches abroad.

If FIFA, UEFA, and the Spanish FA give their approval, the much-anticipated La Liga showdown between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid could take place in Miami just before Christmas. The match, slated for December 21 or 22, would bring one of Spain’s biggest fixtures to a global stage, making Miami the host of this major pre-Christmas clash. It could mark a significant shift in European football’s reach, especially if successful.

You’re right, the success of this potential Barcelona-Atletico Madrid fixture in Miami could open the floodgates for other clubs, including Celtic, to explore similar opportunities. With the commercial appeal of European clubs abroad, particularly in the US, it’s likely that Michael Nicholson and the Celtic Board will be monitoring the situation closely. If it proves to be lucrative, Celtic could seriously consider hosting a match in the US, especially given their interest in boosting revenue streams. However, this could spark mixed reactions among fans who value the local traditions. Would you support such a move if Celtic followed suit?

I completely understand your stance. Friendlies abroad can be a fun way to grow the club’s brand and engage international fans, but taking a competitive league match to another continent crosses a line. The integrity of domestic competitions, not to mention the loyalty of local supporters, is at stake. It’s hard to justify taking a crucial league fixture away from the fans who have supported the club for generations. The idea of playing such a match abroad might benefit the club financially, but it risks alienating the core fanbase.

That’s a key issue—what about the ordinary season ticket holders who are the backbone of the club’s support? Moving a competitive fixture abroad could feel like a betrayal, especially to those who invest year after year in their season tickets. Fans shouldn’t be expected to hop on a plane to the US just to watch their team play a game they’ve already paid to see at home. For most supporters, it would be unrealistic, and many would be priced out of the experience. It raises serious questions about who the club is prioritizing: loyal local fans or overseas revenue streams. Do you think the club would risk alienating its core fanbase in pursuit of these opportunities?

You raise a valid point. It’s not just season ticket holders who would be impacted—there are also countless non-season ticket holders who spend all season chasing matchday tickets, often in limited supply. The idea that these loyal fans could miss out on seeing their team in favor of curious spectators abroad, or those with the means to attend a match in the US, does feel unfair. Even though there are genuine Celtic supporters globally, it still seems wrong to prioritize an international audience at the expense of the club’s most devoted followers. It undermines the local matchday experience and the strong connection between the club and its community.

That’s a crucial concern. If a Glasgow Derby were to be moved abroad, it’s almost certain that TV companies and overseas promoters would push for it, given the global appeal of the fixture. This could hand a financial windfall to Celtic’s rivals, and being complicit in helping them make money from such a high-stakes game wouldn’t sit well with most fans. The Glasgow Derby is more than just a match—it’s an integral part of the local football culture, and moving it abroad would strip it of that significance. It’s understandable why this would be a big “no” for you, and many others would likely agree.

Absolutely, even our rivals’ supporters would be outraged at the prospect of a Glasgow Derby being moved abroad, especially given the intensity and local pride that surrounds it. Their frustrations would only escalate, given the current discontent many of them already feel. On the other hand, for clubs like St Johnstone, whose owner has ties to the US and may see the commercial benefits of such a move, the appeal is clearer. Clubs that struggle to fill their own stadiums might see this as a golden opportunity to cash in and reach a wider audience, but for Celtic or any club with a passionate local following, it feels like a betrayal of the fans who make the atmosphere what it is.