On Tuesday evening, La Liga released the schedule for the upcoming 2026/27 season. Defending champions FC Barcelona, led by head coach Hansi Flick, will face Athletic Bilbao in their opening match.
The event to announce the new schedule in Spain’s top flight took place Tuesday evening at the Plaza de Colón in central Madrid. For now, only the matchdays have been set; the exact kickoff times and specific dates will be announced later.
It is clear that the Clásico will take place on Matchdays 10 and 35. First up is the away match against reigning champions Barcelona, with the return leg taking place at the Santiago Bernabéu. For Real’s returning coach José Mourinho—who moved from Benfica Lisbon to the Spanish capital and is tasked with restoring the Royals to their former glory—these will, of course, be two special matches. “The Special One” experienced the intensity of these rivalries firsthand during his time with the Blancos between 2010 and 2013, when he was still going head-to-head with his longtime rival Pep Guardiola.
On Matchday 1 of La Liga, FC Barcelona will host Athletic Bilbao as they begin their title defense. Their fiercest competitor in the title race—Madrid—kicks off the season with a home game against Real Sociedad. Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid also starts with a home game—against newly promoted Málaga.
The other two promoted teams will also begin the new season in Spain’s top flight in front of their home crowds. Deportiva A Coruna, now competing under a new name, hosts FC Elche. Racing Santander faces FC Villarreal to kick off the season.
Madrid Derby Coming Up Early
Of course, derbies are always eagerly anticipated in Spain. The Madrid derby will take place as early as Matchday 7, with Atlético hosting rival Real at the Metropolitano. The return match will be held on Matchday 30 at the Bernabéu. Fans will have to wait a little longer for the Barcelona derby; on Matchday 18, Hansi Flick and his team will visit Espanyol. That match, on Matchday 32, will then take place at Camp Nou.
