Real Madrid, Barcelona La Liga Openers Delayed After World Cup
Real Madrid and Barcelona will begin their 2026/27 La Liga campaigns later than originally scheduled after the league adjusted the opening fixtures to allow players involved in the FIFA World Cup adequate recovery time.
Real Madrid, under the returning Jose Mourinho, were initially set to host Real Sociedad on the opening weekend.
However, the match has been rescheduled to August 26, meaning Mourinho's first league game back in charge will now be an away trip to Espanyol on August 22.
Defending champions Barcelona have also seen their schedule altered.
Their home opener against Athletic Bilbao has been moved to August 27, with Hansi Flick's side instead beginning the season away to Elche on August 23.
La Liga said the changes were made because several players from both clubs are still involved in the latter stages of the FIFA World Cup, including the semi-finals, leaving them with limited time to recover before the new domestic season.
Despite having players still at the World Cup, Atletico Madrid's opening fixture against Malaga remains scheduled for August 19.
The 2026/27 La Liga season will officially get underway on August 15, with Alaves hosting Getafe, while Sevilla welcome Rayo Vallecano on the opening day.
Real Madrid, under the returning Jose Mourinho, were initially set to host Real Sociedad on the opening weekend.
However, the match has been rescheduled to August 26, meaning Mourinho's first league game back in charge will now be an away trip to Espanyol on August 22.
Defending champions Barcelona have also seen their schedule altered.
Their home opener against Athletic Bilbao has been moved to August 27, with Hansi Flick's side instead beginning the season away to Elche on August 23.
La Liga said the changes were made because several players from both clubs are still involved in the latter stages of the FIFA World Cup, including the semi-finals, leaving them with limited time to recover before the new domestic season.
Despite having players still at the World Cup, Atletico Madrid's opening fixture against Malaga remains scheduled for August 19.
The 2026/27 La Liga season will officially get underway on August 15, with Alaves hosting Getafe, while Sevilla welcome Rayo Vallecano on the opening day.
