Once again, the world of football will turn their heads to Spain, as a new La Liga season is set to begin in September. Real Madrid will try to defend their title against Barcelona, who could watch superstar Lionel Messi leaving the club next summer, which is why every game involving these teams will gather even more attention than they usually have.
Due to the effects and delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the tournament will begin in September for the first time since the 2000-01 season. It will also be the latest start date for La Liga since the 1981-82 campaign, which will also cause all European tournaments to begin at a later date. Speaking of which, there will be seven European spots up for grabs, with four of those being handed out for the UEFA Champions League. Two more will be given to play in next season's UEFA Europa League, and one more for the recently created Europa Conference League.
When La Liga decided to conclude its season, promotion and relegation plans were upheld by football's governing body in Spain. On that subject, Espanyol, Mallorca, and Leganés were dropped to the Spanish Segunda División, while Huesca, Cádiz, and Elche will return to the Spanish top-flight. Huesca will go back to La Liga after a one-year absence, Elche will go back to the top-tier of Spanish football after a five-year hiatus, and Cádiz will mark their return after a 14-year absence.
Below, you'll find the upcoming September fixture list for the 2020-2021 La Liga season. Of course, given we now live in a world that has been disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this naturally could change at any time. As of now, matchday one is set to begin on Friday, September 11, 2020.
What's the opening schedule set to look like? Are all the games being played on the same day?
No. La Liga has decided to follow their usual schedule of games, with one game taking place on Friday, three or four on Saturday and Sunday, and one more on Monday. This season, however, matchday one and two in La Liga will not have all ten games being played on the same weekend, as teams involved in European competitions and in the promotion playoff have delayed their first games of the 2020-21 campaign.
Matchday one will be spread across four days - September 11, 12, 13, and 14 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday depending on your location).
The same will take place on Matchday two, with matches beginning on Friday, September 18 and ending on Monday, September 21.
Matchday 3 will be the first of the 38 scheduled to be played that will see all 20 teams involved in the tournament playing. All games on Matchday 3 will be held on the same date: Sunday, September 27.
Last, but not least, Matchday 4 in La Liga will be played on Wednesday, September 30, 2020. This will be the first mid-week matchday scheduled by La Liga in the 2020-21 season.
*Please keep in mind that each league can change their schedule at any time.
When is the season expected to conclude?
If everything goes according to plan, the 2020-2021 La Liga season will end on Sunday, May 23, 2021.
What times will the games begin on Friday, September 11?
The opening match in La Liga will feature Granada vs Athletic Club, which kicks off at 15:00 ET (12:00 PT). Eibar and Celta will lock horns on Saturday at 10:00 ET (07:00 PT), while Cádiz and Osasuna will start their run in the league at 15:00 ET (12:00 PT). Sunday's matches will start with the clash between Real Valladolid and Real Sociedad at 10:00 ET (07:00 PT), followed by Villarreal vs Huesca at 12:30 ET (09:30 PT). Sunday's activity will end with the Valencian derby between Valencia and Levante at 15:00 ET (12:00 PT). Last, but not least, Deportivo Alavés and Betis will face each other on Monday, September 14 at 15:00 ET (12:00 PT).
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Sevilla, Elche, and Getafe will play their respective matchday 1 games at a later date.
What broadcasters will be showing the games if I live in the USA, Canada, or in the UK?
If you live in the USA, beIN Sports will be your top option to follow La Liga throughout the season. Their mobile app, beIN Sports Connect will also serve your purpose to keep track of all the games on-the-go. Cord-cutters will have the chance to follow the games in the U.S. via Fanatiz, which will also stream content via their agreement with beIN Sports. Spanish-speaking users will be able to follow La Liga games via beIN Sports en Español.
Fans living in Canada will be able to follow all the action in La Liga via beIN Sports, beIN Sports Connect, and beIN Sports en Español.
Last, but not least, La Liga enthusiasts in the UK can watch select games from this league on La Liga TV, on FreeSports and via Premier Player HD.
La Liga Matchday one schedule (Sept. 11 to Sept. 14)
Here's the schedule for matchday one:
La Liga Matchday two schedule (Sept. 18 to Sept. 21)
Here's the schedule for matchday two:
Matchday three schedule - Sunday, September 27
Here's the schedule for matchday three:
Matchday four schedule - Wednesday, September 30
Here's the schedule for matchday four:
