La Liga 2026-27: Barcelona’s next challenge, opening fixtures and live coverage

Barcelona will begin their defence of the La Liga title in the 2026-27 season after winning the Spanish championship for a second successive year and for the 29th time in their history.

Hansi Flick’s side continued their domestic dominance in 2025-26, while Real Madrid, now led by Jose Mourinho, will aim to return to the title race with a stronger campaign.

The new La Liga season is scheduled to start on Saturday, 15 August 2026, and conclude on Sunday, 30 May 2027. Barcelona’s opening fixture is against Athletic Bilbao at Spotify Camp Nou on Thursday, 27 August, while Real Madrid begin away to Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, 26 August.

The opening round also includes Atletico Madrid against Malaga, Valencia against Real Betis and Deportivo La Coruna against Elche.

First-round fixtures

Alaves host Getafe at Mendizorroza on Saturday, 15 August, with kick-off scheduled for 20:30 Saudi Arabia time and 21:30 in the United Arab Emirates. The listed result is 0-3.

Sevilla face Rayo Vallecano at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan later that evening, starting at 22:30 in Saudi Arabia and 23:30 in the UAE. The recorded result is 1-2.

On Sunday, 16 August, Racing de Santander play Villarreal at El Sardinero at 18:00 Saudi time and 19:00 UAE time. Espanyol then meet Levante at Stage Front Stadium at 20:00 and 21:00 respectively, before Celta Vigo host Osasuna at Balaidos at 22:30 and 23:30.

Deportivo La Coruna welcome Elche to Riazor on Monday, 17 August, at 22:00 Saudi time and 23:00 UAE time. Atletico Madrid then play Malaga at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday, 19 August, at the same times.

Valencia host Real Betis at Mestalla on Tuesday, 25 August, with a 22:00 Saudi and 23:00 UAE kick-off. Real Madrid meet Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu the following day, while Barcelona’s match against Athletic Bilbao at Spotify Camp Nou takes place on Thursday, 27 August. Both matches are also scheduled for 22:00 in Saudi Arabia and 23:00 in the UAE.

Second-round fixtures

The second round begins with Rayo Vallecano against Deportivo Alaves at Teresa Rivero on Thursday, 20 August, at 22:00 Saudi time and 23:00 UAE time.

Real Betis play Real Sociedad at La Cartuja on Friday, 21 August, before Athletic Bilbao face Sevilla at San Mames on Saturday, 22 August. That match starts at 18:00 in Saudi Arabia and 19:00 in the UAE.

Valencia host Celta Vigo at Mestalla at 20:30 Saudi time and 21:30 UAE time, while Espanyol meet Real Madrid at Stage Front Stadium at 22:30 and 23:30.

Sunday’s programme features Atletico Madrid against Villarreal at Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Getafe against Racing de Santander at Coliseum, and Elche against Barcelona at Manuel Martinez Valero. The first two begin at 18:00 and 20:30 Saudi time respectively, while the Elche-Barcelona meeting starts at 22:30.

The round concludes on Monday, 24 August, with Osasuna against Levante at El Sadar at 20:30 Saudi time and 21:30 UAE time, followed by Malaga against Deportivo La Coruna at La Rosaleda at 22:30 and 23:30.

Current league table

The supplied standings list Deportivo Alaves top after one match, with three points, three goals scored and none conceded. Sevilla are second with three points and a goal difference of plus one.

Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, Osasuna, Elche, Espanyol, Barcelona, Levante, Malaga, Racing de Santander, Celta Vigo, Deportivo La Coruna, Real Betis, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Valencia and Villarreal are listed with no points after the opening standings update.

Getafe are 19th with one game played, no points and a goal difference of minus three, while Rayo Vallecano are 20th with one defeat and a goal difference of minus one.

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