When does La Liga season start? Kickoff times for opening weekend of 2026/27 Spanish league
The 2026/27 La Liga season is set to begin on August 15, though the opening schedule has been staggered due to player participation in the World Cup. Major clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona have had their initial matches rescheduled to late August.
Why it matters
The scheduling adjustments reflect the significant impact of international tournament commitments on domestic professional sports leagues.
When does La Liga season start? Kickoff times for opening weekend of 2026/27 Spanish league originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Barcelona and Real Madrid are ready to do battle for La Liga glory once again.
Barca stormed to glory under Hansi Flick last term as Madrid's season fell apart following Xabi Alonso's mid-season departure.
Madrid president Florentino Perez has turned to old ally Jose Mourinho, who is back at the Santiago Bernabeu for a second spell in charge.
Some things never seem to change, though, and Diego Simeone is back for his 15th full season in charge of Atletico Madrid .
Here's all you need to know about when a league with some of the biggest stars in the world – not to mention a host of Spain's World Cup-winning heroes – returns for 2026/27.
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