Real Madrid are edging closer to their first competitive match of the 2026-27 season, with Jose Mourinho preparing his side for a delayed start to their La Liga campaign.
While the new Spanish league season is already underway, Real Madrid will not begin their title challenge on the opening matchday.
Instead, Los Blancos are scheduled to make their La Liga debut away to Espanyol on Saturday, August 22 at 9:30 pm local time.
The fixture will also mark Mourinho’s first competitive league match since taking charge of Real Madrid’s new sporting project.
Notably, Real Madrid’s delayed start is linked to scheduling changes following the summer World Cup, which has forced adjustments to the early La Liga fixture list.
As a result, the opening weeks of the season will be particularly demanding for Mourinho’s squad.
Real Madrid begin La Liga season away to Espanyol
Real Madrid will face Espanyol in their opening La Liga match. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
The Espanyol vs Real Madrid clash will be the first official league test of the new campaign for Los Blancos.
An away match against the Catalan side is far from the easiest way to begin a season, especially for a team working under a new manager and adapting to a fresh tactical approach.
Real Madrid will be under pressure to make an immediate statement, as every point matters in a La Liga title race, and Mourinho will want his players to establish momentum from the very beginning.
The match comes after a busy pre-season programme, which has given the Real Madrid manager time to assess his squad and prepare his team for the demands ahead.
Before their competitive debut, Los Blancos will have faced Deportivo de la Coruña in the Teresa Herrera Trophy and are now set to face Schalke 04.
Those matches will give Mourinho further opportunities to fine-tune his plans before the real business begins.
The 2026/27 La Liga season has already started. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Lastly, the Real Madrid squad is also believed to be close to its final shape for the new season, although the situation could still change if there are late departures.
Real Sociedad fixture creates hectic start
Real Madrid’s unusual opening schedule does not end with Espanyol.
Just days after their away trip, Los Blancos are set to face Real Sociedad on Wednesday, August 26, in the fixture that was originally meant to form part of their opening weekend.
That leaves Mourinho with a quick turnaround immediately after his first La Liga match.
For now, though, with the squad largely settled and preparations nearing completion, attention is now turning fully towards Espanyol.