The Spanish football league begins its new season with highly anticipated matches between top clubs
Madrid, August 15 (KUNA) -- The 2026-2027 La Liga season kicks off in an enthusiastic atmosphere following an exceptional summer that saw Spain crowned World Cup champions at the 2026 tournament. There is renewed anticipation for the title among defending champions Barcelona, runners-up Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid, which is aiming to return to the podium.
La Liga, comprising 20 teams, officially begins today, Saturday, with the 38th and final matchday scheduled for May 30 next year. Each team will play 38 matches, totaling 380 games over the course of the season.
Deportivo Alaves will start the first round by facing Getafe, while Sevilla will play Rayo Vallecano later tonight. The opening round will be completed in stages due to several players being called up to their national teams. Atletico Madrid will play its first match against Malaga next Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will begin its campaign in the domestic competition against Real Sociedad on August 26, while defending champions Barcelona will host Athletic Bilbao the following day.
The "Clasico" will be one of the season's key fixtures. The first meeting between Barcelona and Real Madrid will take place in the 10th round at the Spotify Camp Nou on October 25 next year, while the return leg will be held at the Santiago Bernabeu in the 35th round on May 9 next year. Consequently, the timing of both matches could be decisive in shaping the title race.
The Madrid derby is no less significant for Spanish fans. Atletico Madrid will host neighbors Real Madrid in the 7th round in September, with the return fixture scheduled for the 30th round in early April next year. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will also meet in the 12th round on November 8, with their second encounter set for the 23rd round on February 7 next year.
Matches such as the Andalusian derby between Sevilla and Real Madrid, the Basque derby between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad, the Valencia derby between Valencia and Levante, and the Catalan derby between Barcelona and Espanyol will also attract considerable attention.
Additionally, the Galician derby between Celta Vigo and Deportivo La Coruna returns after the latter’s promotion to the top flight, which also sees two historic clubs, Malaga and Racing Santander, back in La Liga.
This season, La Liga gains special significance following Spain’s World Cup victory, with 24 of the 52 players who featured in the final between Spain and Argentina in the United States belonging to La Liga clubs, reflecting the competition’s strong international presence.
Barcelona begins the season defending its title under coach Hansi Flick, while Real Madrid enters determined to reclaim the crown under the guidance of returning Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho. Atletico, meanwhile, hopes to leverage its long experience under Diego Simeone to mount a genuine challenge for the top spot.
Barcelona secured the 2025-2026 title in the 35th round after a 2-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Clasico, finishing the season with 94 points. Real Madrid finished as runners-up, with Villarreal in third place, while Atletico Madrid remained in contention for European spots, ending the previous campaign in fourth place in the overall standings. (End) H.N.D. / M.A.K.
