LaLiga 2026/2027 kicks off August 15, first major European league to start

LaLiga has unveiled the schedule for its 2026-2027 season, which will kick off on August 15, making it the first major European league to commence its campaign. The announcement, made at Plaza de Colón in Madrid, a site often associated with national fervor, sets the stage for a season that must accommodate the 2026 World Cup.

Newly promoted teams Racing de Santander, Deportivo de A Coruña, and Málaga will face Villarreal, Elche, and Atlético de Madrid, respectively, in their opening matches. Other notable fixtures for the first matchday include Alavés vs. Getafe, Celta de Vigo vs. Osasuna, Espanyol vs. Levante, Barcelona vs. Athletic, Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad, Sevilla vs. Rayo Vallecano, and Valencia vs. Real Betis.

The highly anticipated "Clásico" between Barcelona and Real Madrid is scheduled for October 25 (Matchday 10) at Camp Nou, with the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu on May 9 (Matchday 35). The Madrid derby between Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid will first take place at the Metropolitano on September 20 (Matchday 7), followed by a match at the Santiago Bernabéu on April 4 (Matchday 30).

Other significant derby matches include the Barcelona vs. Espanyol fixture, with the first encounter on January 3 (Matchday 18) at RCDE Stadium and the return on April 18 (Matchday 32) at Camp Nou. The Valencian derby between Levante and Valencia is set for January 3 (Matchday 18) and March 7 (Matchday 27). The Seville derby sees Sevilla host Real Betis on November 22 (Matchday 13), with the return at Betis's home on February 7 (Matchday 23). The Basque derby between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao will be played on November 1 (Matchday 11) at San Mamés and on May 2 (Matchday 34) at Anoeta. The Galician derby, "O noso Derbi," returns with Deportivo de A Coruña facing Celta de Vigo on January 3 (Matchday 18) and April 18 (Matchday 32).

The final matchday, scheduled for May 9, features Athletic Bilbao vs. Rayo Vallecano, Real Betis vs. Atlético de Madrid, Elche vs. Racing de Santander, Espanyol vs. Alavés, Getafe vs. Barcelona, Levante vs. Celta de Vigo, Málaga vs. Sevilla, Osasuna vs. Valencia, Real Madrid vs. Deportivo de A Coruña, and Real Sociedad vs. Villarreal.