The wait for Spanish soccer is almost over. The 2026/27 LaLiga season officially begins on Saturday, August 15, when Deportivo Alavés hosts Getafe CF at 7:00 p.m. local time. It will be the first match of a campaign that runs through May 30, 2027 and once again brings together FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid and the rest of Spain’s top-flight clubs.

An unusual opening matchday

The original calendar placed Matchday 1 across the weekend of August 14, 15 and 16, but the final scheduling is more complicated because of the summer’s international calendar. LaLiga confirmed that the first round will actually stretch from August 15 through August 27.

Alavés-Getafe will officially open the season, followed later on August 15 by Sevilla FC against Rayo Vallecano.

The most notable delayed fixture belongs to defending champion FC Barcelona, which will begin its title defense against Athletic Club on Thursday, August 27. The extended schedule reflects adjustments for teams significantly affected by players participating in the latter stages of the 2026 World Cup.

Barcelona begins as defending champion

Barcelona enters 2026/27 carrying the title after winning LaLiga the previous season. Its opening matchup against Athletic Club immediately provides one of the standout fixtures of Matchday 1.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, begins a new era with a familiar face on the bench. José Mourinho has returned to the club for a second spell, signing through 2029 after leaving Benfica. The Portuguese coach previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, and his comeback is one of the major storylines of the new LaLiga season.

Atlético de Madrid will also begin with significant expectations and opens against newly promoted Málaga CF.

Three historic clubs return to LaLiga

The new season also brings three promoted sides into Spain’s top division. RC Deportivo, Real Racing Club and Málaga CF return to LaLiga for 2026/27.

Deportivo begins at home against Elche CF, Racing hosts Villarreal CF, and Málaga receives an immediate test with a visit to Atlético de Madrid. Their return adds several traditional soccer markets back to the championship and gives the opening weekend another layer of interest.

When does the season end?

LaLiga is scheduled to conclude with Matchday 38 on May 30, 2027. Between August and May, the championship will again feature 38 rounds and the usual battles for the title, European qualification and survival.

For now, the key date is August 15. After a summer dominated by international soccer, Alavés and Getafe will put the ball back in play and officially launch another LaLiga season.

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