LaLiga 2026-27 Season Kicks Off Without Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético

The LaLiga 2026-27 season begins Saturday with seven clubs granted extra rest following the FIFA World Cup semifinals.

The 2026-27 season of LaLiga officially begins this Saturday, though defending champions Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético Madrid will not participate in the opening weekend. Seven Spanish clubs reached the FIFA World Cup semifinals, triggering an agreement between the Spanish Players' Union (AFE) and LaLiga to grant these teams extended preparation time. Consequently, Barcelona’s opener against Athletic Club and Real Madrid’s fixture with Real Sociedad have been rescheduled. While Celta Vigo’s Borja Iglesias played only two minutes as a substitute in Spain’s 1-0 round-of-16 victory over Portugal, their match against Osasuna was also postponed due to a fungus outbreak on their stadium pitch.

Atlético Madrid will host Málaga at the Metropolitano on Wednesday to begin their campaign. Real Madrid travels to Espanyol on August 22 for their first match, followed by the rescheduled Real Sociedad game on August 26. Barcelona starts their season at Elche on August 23 before hosting Athletic Club at Camp Nou on August 27. During this delay, Real Madrid scheduled a friendly at Schalke this Sunday, while Barcelona will visit Basel and host Al Ahly in the Gamper Trophy match. These shifts mean global stars Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé will not feature in the league's inaugural weekend.

Top Four Contenders and Tactical Shifts

Villarreal enters the new campaign after finishing third last season, three points ahead of Atlético Madrid. The Yellow Submarine replaced manager Marcelino with Iñigo Pérez, the former Rayo Vallecano coach, though goalkeeper Luiz Júnior remains a point of concern for the squad. Real Betis has bolstered their roster by signing left-back Fran García to play alongside Pablo Fornals and Isco. Celta Vigo, featuring academy graduates and new signing Aleix Febas, also aims to challenge the established hierarchy.

Valencia looks to improve on a 12th-place finish from last season, despite coach Carlos Corberán receiving whistles from supporters during a recent preseason loss to Newcastle United. Sevilla, who have finished 12th, 14th, 17th, and 13th over the last four years, signed Scottish striker Robbie Ure from IK Sirius for €6 million. According to Opta Supercomputer projections, Sevilla is the third favorite for relegation, alongside Elche and Deportivo La Coruña.

Stadium Crisis and Coaching Debuts

Rayo Vallecano enters the season without a permanent home as the regional government deemed the Vallecas stadium unfit for health and safety standards. The club will play their first home game against Alavés next Thursday at Leganés’ Butarque stadium. New manager Beñat San José takes over a squad that saw fullback Pep Chavarría depart for Chelsea and Nobel Mendy move to Hull City. Rayo begins their season away at Sevilla this Saturday.

Real Sociedad manager Pellegrino Matarazzo begins his first full season after leading the club to a Copa del Rey title against Atlético Madrid last April. Despite a trophy win, La Real failed to win any of their final eight games last season. The squad features Mikel Oyarzabal, Ander Barrenetxea, Takefusa Kubo, and Gonçalo Guedes, but has seen minimal activity in the summer transfer window.

Historic Returns and Veteran Signings

Málaga returns to the top flight after winning the second division playoffs following a fourth-place finish. Manager Juan Funes leads a squad featuring young talents Chupete and David Larrubia. Deportivo La Coruña also returns after a nine-season absence, ensuring all nine previous LaLiga winners are in the top division simultaneously. Depor signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who previously scored 13 goals in 24 games for Barcelona in 2022, from Marseille. The Galician side also features former Arsenal youth player Charlie Patino and star Yeremay Hernández under coach Antonio Hidalgo.