El Clasico Alert: La Liga Unveils When Real Madrid and Barcelona Will Clash in Their Epic 2025-26 Showdown
The scene is prepared for this season's inaugural El Clásico: Real Madrid will welcome Barcelona on Sunday, October 26.
La Liga announced the date four weeks prior to Spanish football's most significant encounter. Barcelona and Real Madrid's concluding October match will pit them against each other at the Santiago Bernabéu.
For Xabi Alonso's team, this fixture comes four days following Los Blancos' Champions League meeting with Juventus on Wednesday, October 22. The reigning Spanish titleholders, who face Olympiacos on Tuesday, October 21, enjoy the advantage of an additional day's recovery.
El Clásico is scheduled to commence at 4:15 p.m. local time. The encounter occurs during Spain's daylight saving time transition, meaning it will begin at 3:15 p.m. in the UK and 11:15 a.m. ET / 8:15 a.m. PT.
Real Madrid Seeking Retribution
Although both teams will mark this match prominently on their schedules, Real Madrid are the ones craving vindication. The Spanish powerhouse fell short in all four Clásicos during the previous campaign, suffering defeats to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, Copa del Rey final, and twice in La Liga competition.
Los Blancos appear transformed under Alonso's guidance, however. Real Madrid have secured seven victories in seven contests during 2025–26, placing them alone atop La Liga standings.
With a strengthened defensive line and Kylian Mbappé emerging as an early contender for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, Alonso's team will aim to finally end their losing run against their greatest adversaries.
Barcelona Eager to Continue Victory Run
Barcelona, conversely, seeks to maintain last season's momentum into 2025–26. During Hansi Flick's inaugural season, the Catalans became only the second Barcelona squad in club history to defeat Real Madrid four times within a single campaign.
Whether these two Spanish powerhouses will meet four times again remains uncertain, but they are assured of clashing at least twice in La Liga competition.
Flick's squad netted 16 goals against Los Blancos in 2024–25, with four coming at the Santiago Bernabéu. Should Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha find their mark once more, the Catalans will fancy their chances of achieving five consecutive victories over Real Madrid.