{"id":2392,"date":"2026-08-13T09:39:51","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T09:39:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=2392"},"modified":"2026-08-13T09:39:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T09:39:51","slug":"la-liga-what-to-know-ahead-of-new-2026-27-football-season-football-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=2392","title":{"rendered":"La Liga: What to know ahead of new 2026-27 football season | Football News"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class='booster-block booster-read-block'>\n                <div class=\"twp-read-time\">\n                \t<i class=\"booster-icon twp-clock\"><\/i> <span>Read Time:<\/span>4 Minute, 20 Second                <\/div>\n\n            <\/div><p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<p><span class=\"post-label__text\">EXPLAINER<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"article__subhead\"><em>Predictions, news and transfers ahead of the new La Liga season, as Barcelona and Real Madrid renew their title rivalry.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\">\n<p>Spain\u2019s top-flight league, La Liga, kicks off the 2026-27 European <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/tag\/football\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">football<\/a> season on Saturday, as several players return to club duty less than a month after the FIFA World Cup ended.<\/p>\n<p>Barcelona, whose eight players were part of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/7\/20\/key-takeaways-from-the-world-cup-2026-final-as-spain-beat-argentina\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spain\u2019s World Cup-winning squad<\/a>, enter this campaign with hopes of completing a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/8\/9\/la-liga-five-key-talking-points-heading-into-the-2026-2027-season\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201cthree-peat\u201d of league titles<\/a> after winning the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons.<\/p>\n<section class=\"more-on\">\n<h2 class=\"more-on__heading\">Recommended Stories<!-- --> <\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">list of 3 items<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">end of list<\/span><\/section>\n<p>However, their archrivals Real Madrid have a seasoned manager \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/6\/11\/jose-mourinho-named-real-madrid-coach-on-three-year-deal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jose Mourinho<\/a> \u2013 at the helm this time out, and will look to rediscover their winning pedigree after going two seasons without a major trophy.<\/p>\n<p>While all eyes will be on the title tussle between Barca and Real again, they are not in action in the first round of fixtures, which features seven matches and is headlined by Atletico Madrid.<\/p>\n<p>Al Jazeera breaks down the new La Liga season:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4648410\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4648410\" style=\"width:770px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-arc-image-770 wp-image-4648410\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26136400977917-1781203981.jpg?w=770&amp;resize=770%2C513&amp;quality=80\" alt=\"FILE -Benfica&#039;s head coach Jos\u00e9 Mourinho arrives for a Champions League opening phase soccer match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo\/Pedro Rocha, File)\" fetchpriority=\"low\" title=\"\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4648410\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Real Madrid fans will hope Jose Mourinho, also called the \u2018Special One\u2019, will bring them back to glory days [Pedro Rocha\/AP]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"when-does-the-new-la-liga-season-start\">When does the new La Liga season start?<\/h2>\n<p>The 2026-27 La Liga season begins on Saturday, August 15, with two matches on the opening day.<\/p>\n<p>Further round one matches are also scheduled for Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"la-liga-first-round-matches-and-schedule\">La Liga first round matches and schedule<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Alaves vs Getafe<\/strong> \u2013 Saturday, August 15 at 17:30 GMT<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sevilla vs Rayo Vallecano\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 Saturday, August 15 at 19:30 GMT<\/li>\n<li><strong>Racing Santander vs Villarreal\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 Sunday, August 16 at 15:00 GMT<\/li>\n<li><strong>Espanyol vs Levante <\/strong>\u2013 Sunday, August 16 at 17:00 GMT<\/li>\n<li><strong>Celta Vigo vs Osasuna <\/strong>\u2013 Sunday, August 16 at 19:30 GMT<\/li>\n<li><strong>Deportivo vs Elche\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 Monday, August 17 at 19:00 GMT<\/li>\n<li><strong>Atletico Madrid vs Malaga<\/strong> \u2013 Wednesday, 19 August at 19:00 GMT<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"why-are-barcelona-and-real-madrid-not-playing-in-the-first-la-liga-round\">Why are Barcelona and Real Madrid not playing in the first La Liga round?<\/h2>\n<p>In mid-July, La Liga <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/7\/14\/world-cup-semifinals-barcelona-real-madrid-la-liga-yamal-mbappe-bellingham\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pushed back<\/a> Barcelona\u2019s and Real Madrid\u2019s opening matches due to the number of players from both clubs involved in the FIFA World Cup semifinals and final.<\/p>\n<p>Among the key Barcelona players involved in the World Cup final were Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres, whose <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/7\/19\/spain-battle-past-10-man-argentina-1-0-in-extra-time-to-win-2026-world-cup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">extra-time goal<\/a> led them to their second World Cup title.<\/p>\n<p>Madrid\u2019s talisman, Kylian Mbappe, was joined by midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni in the France side that made the semifinals, while Real playmaker Jude Bellingham was part of England\u2019s bronze-winning side.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"when-will-barcelona-and-real-madrid-play-their-first-match\">When will Barcelona and Real Madrid play their first match?<\/h2>\n<p>Barcelona\u2019s title defence begins on August 23 with an away game against Elche, while Madrid face Espanyol away on August 22.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"la-liga-predictions-2026-27\">La Liga predictions 2026-27<\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"the-title-favourites\">The title favourites<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/theanalyst.com\/articles\/la-liga-predictions-2026-27-opta-supercomputer-projections\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Opta supercomputer<\/a> has predicted a 45.6-percent chance of Barcelona completing a hat-trick of league titles, which would also bring their total to 30 La Liga championships. Barca have not pulled off three titles in a row since the golden Pep Guardiola era from 2008 to 2011.<\/p>\n<p>The simulations gave Madrid a 31-percent probability of success under the experienced Mourinho, who returns for his second stint at the Bernabeu after being in charge between 2010 and 2013.<\/p>\n<p>Atletico Madrid, who finished fourth last season and failed to win a trophy, are third on Opta\u2019s list of favourites for glory this time with a mere 8.6-percent chance, followed by Villarreal at 3.3 percent and Real Betis at 2.1 percent.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"the-relegation-favourites\">The relegation favourites<\/h3>\n<p>Sevilla, who were embroiled in the relegation fight for the last two seasons, may not survive this time \u2013 that\u2019s what the Opta supercomputer predicts. Sevilla have a 27.7-percent probability of being relegated this season, making them the third-likeliest team to go down.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Newcomers Deportivo, who are back in La Liga for the first time since 2017-18, are the top favourites to be relegated with a 29.2-percent probability, followed by Elche at 28.4 percent.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-best-incoming-transfers-of-la-liga-2026-27\">The best incoming transfers of La Liga 2026-27<\/h2>\n<p>Madrid have been busy in the summer transfer window, signing several high-profile players across departments.<\/p>\n<p>Right-back Denzel Dumfries has joined them from Inter Milan, left-back Marc Cucurella arrives from Chelsea and centre-back Ibrahima Konate signed as a free agent after leaving Liverpool.<\/p>\n<p>Veteran midfielder Bernardo Silva also joined on a free deal after exiting Manchester City, while Madrid paid a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/8\/6\/real-madrid-sign-ivory-coasts-yan-diomande-for-record-fee-from-rp-leipzig\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">club-record fee<\/a> to bring in teenage winger Yan Diomande on a long-term deal from RB Leipzig<\/p>\n<p>At Barcelona, left-winger Anthony Gordon signed from Newcastle United and the versatile Karim Adeyemi joined the Catalan club from Borussia Dortmund.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4487895\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4487895\" style=\"width:770px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-arc-image-770 wp-image-4487895\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AFP__20260411__A7GL99M__v3__HighRes__FblGerBundesligaLeipzigMoenchengladbach-1776061338.jpg?w=770&amp;resize=770%2C513&amp;quality=80\" alt=\"Leipzig&#039;s Ivorian forward #49 Yan Diomande celebrates scoring the opening goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Moenchengladbach in Leipzig, eastern Germany, on April 11, 2026. (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN \/ AFP) \/ DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND\/OR QUASI-VIDEO ALTERNATIVE CROP\" fetchpriority=\"low\" title=\"\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4487895\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ivorian forward Yan Diomande has joined Real Madrid for the upcoming season [Ronny Hartmann\/AFP]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"where-to-watch-la-liga-tv-channels-live-streaming\">Where to watch La Liga: TV channels, livestreaming<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Middle East and North Africa: beIN Sports<\/li>\n<li>United Kingdom: Disney+, Premier Sports<\/li>\n<li>Spain: Movistar Futbol<\/li>\n<li>United States: FOX Soccer<\/li>\n<li>India: FanCode<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To find the local broadcaster in your region, head to La Liga\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.laliga.com\/en-GB\/where-to-watch-laliga-easports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">official website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Al Jazeera Sport will also bring you live text coverage of select matches throughout the season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/8\/13\/la-liga-what-to-know-ahead-of-new-2026-27-football-season?traffic_source=rss\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n        <div class=\"booster-block booster-reactions-block\">\n            <div class=\"twp-reactions-icons\">\n                \n                <div class=\"twp-reacts-wrap\">\n                    <a react-data=\"be-react-1\" post-id=\"2392\" class=\"be-face-icons un-reacted\" href=\"javascript:void(0)\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/wp-content\/plugins\/booster-extension\/\/assets\/icon\/happy.svg\" alt=\"Happy\" title=\"\">\n                    <\/a>\n                    <div class=\"twp-reaction-title\">\n                        Happy                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"twp-count-percent\">\n                                                    <span 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Spain\u2019s top-flight league, La Liga, kicks off the 2026-27 European football season on Saturday, as several players return to club duty less than a month after the FIFA World Cup ended. Barcelona, whose eight&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2393,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_2277560469115098_106292521332774":"","twitter_aToxNzczMzI3Njk4OTg4ODUxMjAxOw==_1773327698988851200":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2392","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-international-news"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2392","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2392"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2392\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2393"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2392"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2392"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2392"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}