When Will El Clasico Happen? La Liga Releases Dates for All Fixtures

The El Clasico is one of the most watched and emotionally charged football matches on the planet. El Clasico, the highly contested football match between rival clubs Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, is seen by millions of people all over the globe.

Apart from sports, the reasons for the conflict between the two iconic clubs are firmly grounded in Spanish history and politics - particularly the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). Real Madrid, under Franco's rule, was seen as representing Spanish nationalism; hence, their interactions took on great political and cultural relevance, while Barcelona long represented Catalan identity and resistance.

On May 13, 1902, in the Copa de la Coronación, an unauthorised tournament preceding La Liga, these two titans collided for their debut encounter. Tens of thousands of people attending a few matches and enormous international television audiences help to make El Clasico the worldwide spectacle it is today.

Among the most watched football events worldwide, it highlights legendary players and occasions, including the customary clashes between Messi and Ronaldo that have elevated the El Clasico's status as a significant global football event.

El Clasico Schedule

Within the official schedule released on July 1, 2025, La Liga has officially confirmed the El Clasico fixtures for the 2025–26 campaign. After a symbolic draw held on Tuesday, July 1, in the picturesque city of San Juan de la Nava, Ávila, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) officially published the highly anticipated fixture list of the 2025–26 La Liga season. The announcement confirms that the new season will start on August 17, 2025 weekend and conclude on May 24, 2026.

The most significant fixture for football fans worldwide is the two dates for the legendary El Clasico clashes between Real Madrid and Barcelona, which have been scheduled for October 25–26, 2025, and May 9–10, 2026.

The confirmed dates for the El Clasico in the new season of 2025/26 are as follows:

The first Clasico will be played at the Santiago Bernabeu on October 26, 2025 (matchday 10). The return leg is scheduled for May 10, 2026 (matchday 35), at the newly renovated Camp Nou. As a cultural event motivating followers everywhere and as a sporting event affecting the La Liga season, this timetable reveals how significant El Clasico still is.

Taking all four club encounters in numerous leagues, Barcelona comprehensively dominated their head-to–head confrontations in 2024/25. This involved victories in La Liga, the Spanish Supercup, and the Copa del Rey final, thus raising the anticipation for the upcoming games as Real Madrid seeks to be vindicated under Xabi Alonso's new leadership.

The possibility of watching these games at the refurbished grounds of Camp Nou further thrills the football fraternity since Barcelona plans on going back to their iconic home ground come the 2025/26 season.

Key La Liga Fixtures

With an engaging first matchday featuring numerous intriguing fixtures, the 2025–26 La Liga season will commence on August 17, 2025. Starting their title defence, title holders Barcelona will travel to Mallorca's Estadi Mallorca Son Moix to take on the club from the Balearic Islands. Interestingly, Barcelona's opening run will see them playing their first three league matches away from home while Camp Nou remains in the final stages of renovation.

Real Madrid will host Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu in their first match under new boss Xabi Alonso. Atletico Madrid to take on Espanyol, Athletic Club to host Sevilla at San Mames, and promoted side Levante to host Alaves are some of the other key gameweek one events.

Valencia are set to host Real Sociedad at Mestalla; Villarreal play host to promoted side Real Oviedo at the Estadio de la Ceramica. Celta Vigo to host Getafe, Elche to host Real Betis, and Girona to host Rayo Vallecano are some of the remaining fixtures.