La Liga kicks off this weekend with a significantly altered schedule, as Spanish heavyweights Barcelona and Real Madrid sit out the opening matchday following mandatory post-World Cup rest agreements.

While six matches will take place across the opening weekend—beginning with Deportivo Alaves hosting Getafe—four fixtures from the first gameweek have been postponed to late August. The adjustments come as part of an agreement between La Liga and Spain’s players’ union, the AFE, which guarantees mandatory recovery time for players whose national teams reached the World Cup semi-finals.

World Cup Extended Breaks Force Schedule Overhaul

Spain's triumph over Argentina in the World Cup final on July 19 meant key internationals returned to their clubs only recently. Barcelona stars Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Dani Olmo, and Pau Cubarsi reported for their first pre-season training sessions just days ago, while Real Madrid gave extended leave to Spanish international Marc Cucurella as well as semi-finalists Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Aurelien Tchouameni.

La Liga pushed for an August 15 start despite objections from the players' union regarding statutory rest under Spanish football’s collective bargaining agreement. The compromise, approved on June 30, granted clubs with semi-final participants the option to delay their opening fixtures by 10 days.

When Do the Giants Begin Their Seasons?

Defending champions Barcelona will officially begin their league campaign away to Elche on Sunday, August 23, before playing their rearranged Matchday 1 fixture at home against Athletic Club on Thursday, August 27.

Real Madrid, marking the return of manager Jose Mourinho, will travel to Espanyol on Saturday, August 22 for their first fixture of the season, followed by their rescheduled Matchday 1 clash with Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, August 26.

Concerts and Pitch Issues Impact Other Fixtures

Atletico Madrid, who had nine players in the World Cup final—including Alex Baena, Marcos Llorente, Alejandro Grimaldo, Marc Pubill, Julian Alvarez, and Giuliano Simeone—faced logistical constraints that prevented pushing their opener to late August. With Canadian artist The Weeknd scheduled for a three-night concert run at the Metropolitano on August 28, 29, and 30, Diego Simeone’s side will host Malaga on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, Real Betis' clash against Valencia has been rescheduled for Tuesday, August 25 to accommodate World Cup finalist Giovani Lo Celso. Meanwhile, Celta Vigo’s home fixture against Osasuna was postponed to August 27 after a turf disease rendered the pitch at Estadio Balaidos unplayable.