FC Barcelona begin the season as defending champions. The Catalans finished the 2025/26 campaign on 94 points to secure their second consecutive league title. Lamine Yamal starred with 16 goals and twelve assists and was subsequently named the league’s player of the season. Real Madrid responded to two years without a title by bringing back a familiar face in the dugout and making a number of high-profile signings. Atlético Madrid have also reshaped their squad significantly.
Why the opening round stretches until the end of August
The new La Liga season begins on Saturday evening with Alavés against Getafe, before Sevilla take on Rayo Vallecano. Sunday brings, among others, Racing Santander against Villarreal and Espanyol against Levante, while Deportivo La Coruña round off the first regular section of the opening matchday at home to Elche on Monday.
The reason why several teams will not complete their first-round fixture this weekend is primarily the World Cup, which only ended on 19 July. A number of clubs had players involved all the way through to the semi-finals or final. As a result, four fixtures were postponed: Atlético Madrid host Málaga on 19 August, Valencia face Betis on 25 August, Real Madrid take on Real Sociedad on 26 August and Barcelona meet Athletic Club on 27 August.
The match between Celta Vigo and Osasuna also had to be postponed at short notice after a fungal infection badly damaged the pitch at the Estadio Balaídos. The game, originally scheduled for Sunday, is now also set to be played on 27 August.
That creates an unusual situation in which several clubs will play their second-round fixture before completing their game from matchday one. Real Madrid, for example, travel to Espanyol on 22 August, while Barcelona visit Elche a day later.
Barcelona reshape their attack
After winning back-to-back league titles, Barcelona start the season as the team to beat. Hansi Flick can still rely on a young core built around Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Pau Cubarsí, although he has had to absorb one major departure in attack. Robert Lewandowski left the club after four years and moved to Chicago Fire in MLS.
Barcelona responded by adding two quick and versatile attacking players. Anthony Gordon joined from Newcastle United and signed a long-term contract until 2031. Karim Adeyemi was also tied down until 2031 after arriving from Borussia Dortmund, having previously been under contract with FC Red Bull Salzburg between 2018 and 2022. Flick knows the eleven-cap Germany international well and once handed him his senior debut for the national team.
Barcelona have not, however, signed a like-for-like replacement for Lewandowski. Gordon and Adeyemi can both operate across several attacking positions, but neither is a traditional penalty-box striker.
Mourinho tasked with returning Real Madrid to the top
The biggest change at Barcelona’s main rivals is on the touchline. José Mourinho has returned to Real Madrid 13 years after the end of his first spell at the club. The Portuguese coach has been brought back to restore Los Blancos to the summit of Spanish football after Barcelona won the last two league titles.
The squad has also been strengthened considerably. Bernardo Silva and Ibrahima Konaté arrived as two experienced international additions, while Denzel Dumfries and Marc Cucurella were also brought in. The most spectacular deal, however, was the signing of Yan Diomande. The 19-year-old winger joined from RB Leipzig for €125 million plus a possible €15 million in add-ons, according to AS, making the Ivorian the most expensive signing in the club’s history.
Kylian Mbappé remains the central figure in attack. The Frenchman finished as La Liga’s top scorer again last season and is expected to be among the main contenders for the Pichichi Trophy in 2026/27.
Atlético enter a new phase
Atlético Madrid also head into the season with several new faces. Antoine Griezmann left the club for Orlando City in MLS. In the Frenchman, Atlético lost not only their all-time leading scorer, but also one of the most important links between midfield and attack.
They responded by strengthening primarily in midfield and on the left side. Alejandro Grimaldo arrived from Bayer Leverkusen and signed until 2030, while Danish holding midfielder and former Admira Wacker player Morten Hjulmand joined from Sporting CP. At the end of July, Atlético also signed South Korea international Kang-in Lee from Paris Saint-Germain.
Three traditional clubs return
Away from the title race, the promoted teams also add plenty of intrigue. Racing Santander are back in the top flight after 14 years, while Deportivo La Coruña return after eight. Málaga completed the trio via the playoffs and are also back among Spain’s elite for the first time in eight years. La Liga therefore welcomes back three traditional clubs with large and passionate fan bases.
The first major dates of the season have also already been set. The opening Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid is scheduled for 25 October at the Camp Nou, with the return fixture set for 9 May at the Bernabéu.
By then, there should already be a clearer picture of whether Flick’s Barcelona can make a serious push for a third consecutive title – or whether Mourinho’s return and Real Madrid’s expensive squad rebuild have shifted the balance of power in Spain once again.
