The new Spanish league season kicks off on August 15 with Alavés vs. Getafe, bringing a host of major storylines: Jose Mourinho's return to Real Madrid's bench, Barcelona's title defense without Lewandowski, and Valencia's final season at the iconic Mestalla.
Spain's La Liga kicks off on Saturday, August 15, 2026, with the match between Alavés and Getafe scheduled for 7:30 PM CET. Before the first round even begins, the new season already offers numerous storylines that could define the entire campaign, with the most attention drawn to Mourinho's return to Real Madrid, Barcelona's pursuit of a third consecutive title, and Valencia's final season at the iconic Mestalla, as reported by Stijena.info.
Jose Mourinho has returned to Real Madrid 13 years after the end of his first stint in charge of the royal club, following a second consecutive season without a major trophy. This is a development few predicted, especially given that his previous tenure at the Santiago Bernabéu ended with discontent in the dressing room. La Liga will now once again host one of its most famous and controversial coaches.
The arrival of Kylian Mbappé in 2024 was supposed to secure Real's dominance in the domestic league and the Champions League. The French forward has fulfilled a large part of the expectations, but the team as a whole has not looked cohesive. Real often appeared as two separate units: four exceptionally dangerous attackers focused on the opponent's goal, while a fragile defense remained vulnerable to counter-attacks.
Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, and Bernardo Silva are expected to bring security, experience, and better balance. Yan Diomande could add more unpredictability in the attacking phase, while Vinícius Júnior has signed a new contract after being linked with Arsenal. Among the veterans who have left the squad are Dani Carvajal and David Alaba, according to the Zimbabwe Mail.
The key question will be whether Mourinho can manage the egos of stars like Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Vinícius. The Portuguese tactician must prove he still possesses the tactical sharpness needed to face Barcelona. His authority has never been questioned, but dressing room relations could determine whether the return brings new trophies or another turbulent departure.
Hansi Flick's team did not look as convincing last season as in the 2024/25 campaign, but Barcelona still boasts a squad full of Spanish world champions. The Catalan club is the main candidate to win a third consecutive title, further strengthening their dominance. However, La Liga will not give Barcelona much time to adapt after major changes in attack.
The toughest task will be to compensate for Robert Lewandowski's goals. The Polish striker was for years one of the key players in Barcelona's finishing, so his departure changes the entire team's style of play. Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi have arrived as reinforcements, expected to bring speed, verticality, and greater pressure on opposing defenses. The title defense will also rely on the players who brought Spain their second world title: Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Gavi, Pedri, and Pau Cubarsí.
However, forward Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal for Spain in extra time of the World Cup final against Argentina, is reportedly in talks to move to PSG, so his stay is uncertain, reports the Zimbabwe Mail.
Atlético Madrid will traditionally try to disrupt the plans of their two biggest rivals. However, Diego Simeone's team faces uncertainty over the future of forward Julián Álvarez, who wants to leave the club. Real Madrid and Barcelona have shown interest, but Atlético has stated they do not intend to sell him, and the Argentine has returned to training.
Simeone has already lost Antoine Griezmann, Thiago Alma da, Nahuel Molina, and Clément Lenglet. Alejandro Grimaldo, Morten Hjulmand, and Lee Kang-In have arrived as reinforcements, and the signing of Cristian "Cuti" Romero is also in progress. Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, and Álex Baena were part of the Spanish national team at the World Cup.
A particularly emotional season awaits Valencia, which is set to play its final matches at the iconic Mestalla. The stadium has been a symbol of Spanish football for decades, and fans can expect months filled with memories and farewells. Every home game will carry extra weight as the club prepares to close an important chapter in its history.
The fate of Rayo Vallecano's home matches is also uncertain. The regional government of Madrid has revoked the club's permit to hold matches at the rented Vallecas stadium due to the poor condition of the facility. The current Conference League runners-up could therefore start the season without the ability to play in front of their fans, which is a serious sporting and organizational problem.
Racing Santander have returned to the top flight after 14 years away, along with Málaga, which has been under judicial administration since 2020, and Deportivo La Coruña, a former champion who spent eight seasons in the lower leagues. Mallorca, Girona, and Oviedo have been relegated.
This season, La Liga will become the world's first league to introduce "connected ball" technology on a large scale. The ball carries a radio frequency sensor that continuously and precisely transmits real-time information about the ball's position and the exact moment of every contact. Data is collected via a network of around 12 antennas installed in each stadium.
The first round also brings several interesting fixtures. Real Madrid start the season on August 22 with an away game at Espanyol, while Barcelona visit Elche a day later. The match between Celta Vigo and Osasuna has been postponed to August 27 due to a fungal outbreak on the pitch. The European season officially began on Thursday, August 13, when PSG beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup final.
