La Liga 2026-27 season opens without Barcelona, Real Madrid on debut weekend
Synopsis
La Liga's new season begins without its two biggest clubs — Barcelona and Real Madrid sit out the opener due to World Cup exemptions. The real drama is elsewhere: Racing Santander return to the top flight after 14 years, Deportivo play their first La Liga game in eight years, and Celta Vigo's opener is under threat from a fungal pitch infection.
Key Takeaways
FC Barcelona , Real Madrid , Athletic Club , Real Betis , and Real Sociedad are absent from the 2026-27 La Liga opening weekend due to FIFA World Cup player exemptions.
Atletico Madrid begin their season on Wednesday against Malaga .
Racing Santander return to La Liga for the first time since 2012 , hosting Villarreal on Sunday; their defence conceded 61 goals in the second division.
Deportivo play their first La Liga match in eight years at Riazor Stadium on Monday against Elche .
Celta Vigo's home game against Osasuna is reportedly under threat due to a fungal pitch infection at Balaidos Stadium .
Sevilla face the season without Djibril Sow , Akor Adams , and Nemanja Gudelj , leaving them reportedly weaker than last year's squad.
The 2026-27 La Liga season gets underway this weekend with a curtailed opening fixture list, as clubs whose players participated beyond the FIFA World Cup semifinals are granted an additional week before their campaigns begin. As a result, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Athletic Club, Real Betis, and Real Sociedad are all absent from the opening weekend, while Atletico Madrid will begin their season on Wednesday against Malaga.
Opening Weekend Fixtures
Deportivo Alaves and Getafe open proceedings on Saturday in a match notable for its managerial crossover — Alaves coach Quique Sanchez Flores and Getafe counterpart Jose Bordalas have each previously managed the other's current club. The second Saturday fixture brings Sevilla hosting Rayo Vallecano, with Rayo temporarily displaced from its Vallecas Stadium and carrying underwhelming pre-season form into the new campaign. Sevilla, meanwhile, has seen the departures of Djibril Sow, Akor Adams, and Nemanja Gudelj, leaving the squad reportedly weaker than the one that struggled through much of last season.
Racing Santander's Historic Return
Racing Santander makes its return to the top flight for the first time since 2012, hosting Villarreal on Sunday. Villarreal will introduce Inigo Perez — formerly of Rayo — as their new head coach. Racing's main challenge heading into the season is shoring up a defence that conceded 61 goals en route to winning the second division. Espanyol and Levante, two sides who survived relegation last season, also meet on Sunday, with Levante seeking a replacement for striker Carlos Espi, who has since joined Real Madrid.
Celta Vigo's Pitch Concern and Deportivo's Comeback
Celta Vigo could have sought a postponement for their home opener against Osasuna, given that striker Borja Iglesias was part of Spain's World Cup-winning squad. However, with UEFA Europa League commitments looming in the coming weeks, the club opted to proceed — though the match is reportedly under threat due to a fungal infection on the pitch at the Balaidos Stadium.
The most anticipated fixture of the opening round arrives on Monday, when Deportivo plays its first La Liga match in eight years before a packed Riazor Stadium, hosting Elche. Deportivo has invested significantly in building a squad capable of competing at the top level, while Elche enters the season in transition — Martin Anselmi has replaced Eder Sarabia in the dugout, and Alvaro Rodriguez, Aleix Febas, Rafa Mir, and Andre Silva have all departed.
What to Watch This Week
With the season's biggest names — Barcelona, Real Madrid — waiting in the wings, the opening weekend offers a window into the shape of the chasing pack. Racing Santander's defensive discipline, Sevilla's squad depth without key departures, and Deportivo's readiness for the top flight will be early storylines to track. The full field of contenders assembles from the second weekend onward.
Point of View
But both clubs face structural questions: Racing's defence was porous even in the second division, and Deportivo's investment will be tested immediately. The bigger question the opening weekend poses is whether La Liga's chasing pack has genuinely closed the gap on Barcelona and Real Madrid, or whether the absence of the giants simply flatters the field for one week.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Barcelona and Real Madrid not playing on La Liga's opening weekend?
Barcelona, Real Madrid, and three other clubs — Athletic Club, Real Betis, and Real Sociedad — are absent from the opening weekend because their players featured beyond the FIFA World Cup semifinals. Under La Liga rules, such clubs are granted an additional week before their season begins.
When does Atletico Madrid start their 2026-27 La Liga season?
Atletico Madrid begin their season on Wednesday, playing against Malaga — one week ahead of clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid but outside the main opening-weekend schedule.
When did Racing Santander last play in La Liga?
Racing Santander last played in La Liga in 2012. They return to the top flight in 2026-27 after winning the second division, hosting Villarreal on Sunday in their first top-flight match in 14 years.
What is the issue with Celta Vigo's stadium ahead of their La Liga opener?
Celta Vigo's home game against Osasuna is reportedly under threat due to a fungal infection on the pitch at their Balaidos Stadium. The club opted not to seek a postponement despite World Cup exemption eligibility, citing upcoming UEFA Europa League commitments.
Why is Deportivo vs Elche a significant fixture?
Deportivo's Monday home game against Elche at Riazor Stadium will be the club's first La Liga match in eight years. Deportivo has invested in squad-building for the top flight, while Elche enters the season in transition with a new coach and several key player departures.
