Mourinho’s return meets Flick’s Barcelona dominance, El Clasico schedule

La Liga has released the 2026/27 calendar, confirming that Barcelona will face Real Madrid on matchday 10 at the Spotify Camp Nou during the weekend of October 25 and again on matchday 35 at the Santiago Bernabeu on May 9, setting the two El Clasico fixtures for the season.

The first encounter is slated for the weekend of October 25, marking the season’s opening showdown between the Catalans and the Blancos. The return leg is scheduled for May 9, placing the second clash in the closing stages of the league campaign. Depending on the points table, that May meeting could have a major influence on the destination of the title.

The spotlight will fall on Jose Mourinho, who is preparing for his first La Liga Clasico since returning to manage Real Madrid. Mourinho’s comeback has generated excitement among the Los Blancos supporters. Real Madrid have endured a difficult spell in Spain’s biggest competitions, heightening the importance of his return.

Since Hansi Flick took charge, Barcelona have transformed El Clasico into a fixture they largely control. Barcelona have won six of their last seven meetings with Real Madrid across La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup. In those encounters they have scored 22 goals while conceding only 11.

Over the past two seasons Barcelona have lifted five domestic trophies, including two La Liga titles, two Spanish Super Cups and one Copa del Rey. The only major domestic competition that slipped away from Flick’s side was last season’s Copa del Rey. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s recent spell in Spain’s biggest competitions has been difficult, underscoring the significance of Mourinho’s return. A photo by Alex Caparros captures the anticipation surrounding the upcoming clash.