Barcelona’s route to defending their La Liga title is now clear, and Hansi Flick’s side will have little time to settle into the new campaign.
The 2026/27 La Liga fixture list has handed the champions an unusual start following changes to the calendar after the World Cup.
Rather than beginning with their scheduled home fixture, which was against Athletic Club, Barcelona will first travel to Elche before returning to Camp Nou a few days later for the match that was originally set to open their season.
For Flick, the challenge will be to get his side up to speed immediately.
After a demanding summer and an altered start to the domestic campaign, Barcelona’s title defence will begin with an away test before returning to Spotify Camp Nou.
Barcelona begin title defence away to Elche
Barcelona will play their first La Liga match of the 2026-27 season away to Elche on Sunday, August 23 at 9:30 p.m local time.
It is technically the second round of fixtures, but it will be the first competitive league outing of Barcelona’s campaign, just like Real Madrid.
Barcelona will begin their title defence against Elche. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
The unusual arrangement comes as a result of changes made to the schedule following the summer World Cup.
Four days later, the champions will return home to face Athletic Club on Thursday, August 27.
That match was initially supposed to serve as Barcelona’s opening fixture, but the revised calendar means Flick’s side will enter the season through an away game before getting the chance to begin their home programme.
It is not the most conventional start for a team defending the title, but the schedule also gives Barcelona a clear test of their readiness.
A successful title defence is never decided in August, although dropping points early can add pressure, especially when the margin for error against Real Madrid and other rivals is expected to be small.
Flick will therefore want more than just three points from the opening games.
Barcelona’s La Liga schedule will begin on Matchday 2. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
He will be looking for signs that his team has carried its rhythm and consistency into the new season.
El Clásico dates stand out in Barcelona’s fixture list
While the opening matches provide the first challenge, Barcelona will already have their eyes on the two meetings with Real Madrid.
The first El Clasico of the 2026-27 La Liga season is scheduled for October 25 at Camp Nou.
The return meeting will take place on May 9 in Madrid, giving the second clash a potentially enormous role in the final stretch of the title race.
The placement of that fixture is particularly interesting, as, by May, the league table is closely packed, and any meeting between Barcelona and Real Madrid at that stage could carry direct consequences for the championship.
Meanwhile, the final matchday will see Barcelona travel to Getafe, bringing their league campaign to a close away from home at the end of May.