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The 2026–27 La Liga season officially kicks off this weekend, with Alavés taking on Getafe in the opening fixture on Saturday.
Just under three months after Barcelona clinched their 29th league title, the new campaign begins with all clubs on equal footing.
Barça are looking to defend their title and secure three consecutive championships for the first time since Pep Guardiola's iconic squad of 2009–11. Real Madrid, meanwhile, are in pursuit with José Mourinho returning to the dugout leading a revamped side, adding extra intrigue to the rivalry.
However, despite five matches taking place this weekend and seven fixtures in total across La Liga's Matchday 1, neither the defending champions nor last season's runners-up feature in the opening schedule.
Why Barcelona, Real Madrid Aren't Playing This Weekend
Supporters will need to wait another week before Spain's two biggest clubs return to competitive action. Real Madrid are set to make their debut on Saturday, Aug. 22, away at Espanyol's RCDE Stadium, with Barcelona traveling to face Elche the following day.
Los Blancos's La Liga opener is highly anticipated, as it marks Mourinho's first competitive match in his second stint at the club he previously managed from 2010 to 2013. Potential debuts could also be on the cards for the likes of Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Yan Diomande and others.
For Barça, the encounter with Elche could provide an early look at new attacking signings Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi.
So why the delay? The answer lies with the World Cup. Both clubs have been given a postponed start to the domestic season due to their players' extensive participation in the latter rounds of the summer tournament held in North America.
Eight Barcelona players went all the way to the final on July 19 with victorious Spain, while Real Madrid stars Cucurella, Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Jude Bellingham all represented national sides that played eight matches at the tournament.
Atlético Madrid, who also had players involved in both the semifinals and the final, are included in Matchday 1 but are scheduled to play on Wednesday, Aug. 19 against Málaga—giving Diego Simeone's squad a few additional days to prepare.
Barcelona, Real Madrid's Opening La Liga Schedule
Barcelona's first six matches
After facing Elche, Barcelona will welcome Athletic Club for their first home fixture of the season on Aug. 27, followed by matches against Rayo Vallecano (Aug. 31), Valencia (Sept. 6) and Levante (Sept. 13).
Real Madrid's first six matches
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After their trip to Espanyol, Real Madrid's remaining first five La Liga games see them take on Real Sociedad (Aug. 26), newly promoted Málaga (Aug. 30), Real Betis (Sept. 4) and Rayo Vallecano (Sept. 13).