LaLiga 2026-27 Kicks Off: Why the Big Three Are Missing and What to Watch This Weekend

Authors: Alex Kirkland and Sam Marsden
Published: August 14, 2026, 04:00 AM ET

Two Reasons to Be Cheerful

1. The new LaLiga season starts this Saturday!
2. You can watch EVERY single match all season long — in both English and Spanish — on ESPN.

But if you tune in this weekend, you’ll notice something strange: the three biggest clubs aren’t playing.

Why Aren’t Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético Madrid Playing?

The Simple Reason: World Cup Hangover

Important Callout:
Clubs that had players in the World Cup semifinals (or later) got an extended vacation.
This was agreed upon by the Spanish Players’ Union (AFE) and LaLiga to give players enough rest between seasons.

Who’s Affected?

Fun Fact: Celta Vigo didn’t even ask for a delay — but their game got postponed anyway because a fungus outbreak ruined their pitch!

When Do the Big Teams Finally Start?

Atlético Madrid — Just a Few Days Late

• First game: Wednesday vs. Málaga at home (Metropolitano Stadium)
• Impact: Minimal — barely a blip in their schedule.

Barcelona & Real Madrid — Starting on “Matchday 2”

What They’re Doing With the Extra Time

• Real Madrid: One last friendly vs. Schalke (Germany) on Sunday
• Barcelona: Two friendlies — at Basel (Switzerland) + Gamper Trophy vs. Al Ahly at Camp Nou

Marketing Reality Check:
It’s harder to hype “LaLiga is BACK!” when there’s no Lamine Yamal, no Kylian Mbappé, no Clásico rivals. But the show goes on!

Who Can Crash the Top Four?

Last season’s surprise: Villarreal finished 3rd — not Atlético Madrid (who were busy in the Champions League).

Top Contenders for a Top-4 Spot This Year:

1. Villarreal

• New coach: Iñigo Pérez (ex-Rayo Vallecano, called “best young coach in Spain”)
• Style: More exciting football than under Marcelino
• Big question mark: Goalkeeper Luiz Júnior isn’t very reliable

2. Real Betis

• Big signing: Fran García (left back)
• Key duo: Isco + Pablo Fornals in midfield — IF they stay healthy
• Vibe: Talented squad, creative firepower

3. Celta Vigo

• Identity: Homegrown academy kids improving every year
• Smart signing: Aleix Febas (one of LaLiga’s best midfielders last season)
• Trend: Quietly building something special

Crisis Clubs: Valencia & Sevilla

Valencia — Stuck in Neutral

• Glory days: 2 LaLiga titles, back-to-back Champions League finals (early 2000s)
• Since 2019: Mostly fighting relegation, finished 12th last year
• Current mood: Toxic
  • Fans furious at owner Peter Lim (no investment)
  • Coach Carlos Corberán booed in a preseason friendly vs. Newcastle
• Silver lining: Middle of the table is tight — a few wins changes everything

Sevilla — The Real Crisis Club?

• Pedigree: 7-time Europa League winners!
• Last 4 seasons: 12th, 14th, 17th, 13th
• Star summer signing: Robbie Ure (Scottish striker from Swedish club IK Sirius, €6M)
• Opta Supercomputer says: 3rd most likely to get relegated
• Coach Luis García: Has a massive job to stop the slide

What on Earth Is Happening at Rayo Vallecano?

Problem #1: They’re Homeless!

• Their historic Vallecas stadium failed health & safety checks
• Madrid regional government says: “Fix it or you can’t play here”
• Temporary fix: Playing at Leganés’ stadium (Butarque) starting next Thursday vs. Alavés
• Long-term: No solution yet

Problem #2: New Manager

• Lost Iñigo Pérez → hired Beñat San José (well-traveled, last at Eibar)

Problem #3: Key Players Gone

Bottom Line: Stadium chaos + new coach + weakened squad = Time to worry about Rayo.

Pellegrino Matarazzo: Year 2 at Real Sociedad

Year 1 Was a Fairytale

• New Jersey-born coach
• Started with 6-game unbeaten run (beat Barça!)
• Won Copa del Rey — 1st U.S.-born coach to win a trophy in Europe’s “Big 5” leagues

Year 2: The Hard Part

• Form collapsed after trophy win (0 wins in last 8 games)
• Must prove it wasn’t a fluke

Squad Strengths

• Attack: Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain WC star) + Ander Barrenetxea + Takefusa Kubo + Gonçalo Guedes
• Concern: Squad looks thin, barely any summer signings
• Key: Matarazzo’s coaching will make or break them

Málaga: From Bankruptcy Back to LaLiga

The Rollercoaster

Why This Málaga Is Different (Better?)

• Sustainable model: Young Spanish talent, not expensive stars
• Stars to watch: Chupete (forward), David Larrubia (winger)
• Coach: Juan Funes — knows the club inside out (5 years with reserves)
• Stadium: La Rosaleda — still great, fans still passionate

Old Málaga: Isco, Cazorla, Joaquín on same team (box office)
New Málaga: Homegrown, affordable, sustainable — built to last

Depor Are Back — And They Brought Aubameyang!

The Long Road Home

• 2018: Relegated from LaLiga
• 2020: Fell to 3rd tier
• 2026: Back in top flight after 9 years!
• Historic note: All 9 previous LaLiga champions are now in the league together.

The Headline Signing: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

• Ex-Arsenal star, 37 years young
• 2nd spell in Spain (13 goals in 24 games for Barça in 2022)
• Comes from Marseille

Other Notable Names

• Charlie Patino: Ex-Arsenal youth product
• Yeremay Hernández: The actual star — must deliver to keep Depor up

The Reality Check

• Opta Supercomputer: Favored to go straight back down
• Coach: Antonio Hidalgo has his work cut out

Summary: What You Need to Know

FAQ: Your LaLiga Questions Answered

1. Why do Barcelona and Real Madrid start later than everyone else?

Because their players went deep into the World Cup (semifinals or beyond). The players’ union negotiated extra rest time for any club with players in the final four. It’s basically a mandated vacation so stars don’t burn out.

2. Can I still watch LaLiga if I don’t have cable?

Yes! Every single match streams live on ESPN+ (U.S. only) all season long — in both English and Spanish commentary.

3. Who are the favorites to win the title?

The article doesn’t explicitly say, but historically it’s Barcelona, Real Madrid, or Atlético Madrid — they just happen to start a week late. Villarreal (last year’s 3rd place) is the top “outsider” pick.

4. What happened to Celta Vigo’s stadium?

A fungus outbreak on the pitch forced their opener vs. Osasuna to be postponed. Not a joke — actual mushrooms/mold on the field made it unplayable.

5. Is Rayo Vallecano going to be okay?

Honestly? It’s worrying. No home stadium, new coach, and they sold their two best defenders (one to Chelsea, one to the Premier League). They open at Sevilla — a brutal start for a team in chaos.

Final Thought

LaLiga 2026-27 is here — just without the usual headliners for Week 1. But sometimes the best stories come from the supporting cast: Málaga’s redemption, Depor’s Aubameyang reunion, Celta’s homegrown revolution, or whether Sevilla can avoid disaster.

Grab your coffee, pick a team, and enjoy the ride.

Stream It All: LaLiga 2026-27 on ESPN+ — Every match. All season. Two languages. One place.