Honestly, trying to keep track of a club like FC Barcelona is basically a full-time job. Between the constant reshuffling of La Liga kickoff times and the new UEFA Champions League format, you've probably felt like you're chasing a moving target.
When do Barcelona play? Well, if you're looking for the short answer: their next big test is against Real Sociedad on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Hansi Flick's squad is currently navigating a chaotic January, having just secured the Spanish Super Cup trophy in Saudi Arabia after a wild 3-2 win against Real Madrid. It’s a relentless pace. If you’re planning your weekends around the Blaugrana, you need to look at the next few weeks because the schedule is packed.
The Immediate Fixture List: January and February 2026
Right now, the team is bouncing between domestic duties and the final stages of the Champions League league phase. It’s a lot. You’ve got the travel, the recovery sessions, and the pressure of staying top of the table.
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Here is the breakdown of the upcoming matches:
- January 18, 2026: vs Real Sociedad (La Liga) at the Reale Arena. Kickoff is 21:00 local time.
- January 21, 2026: vs Slavia Prague (Champions League) away at the Fortuna Arena. This is Matchday 7 of the league phase.
- January 25, 2026: vs Real Oviedo (La Liga). Finally, a game at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou. 16:15 CET.
- January 28, 2026: vs FC Copenhagen (Champions League). This wraps up the league phase at home.
- January 31, 2026: vs Elche (La Liga) away.
If they keep their current form, the Champions League knockout play-offs will be the next thing to watch in mid-February. Those dates are already penciled in for February 17/18 and 24/25, depending on the draw.
When Do Barcelona Play Real Madrid?
This is the big one. El Clásico. It's the match everyone circles in red the moment the calendar drops.
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The second league meeting of the 2025/26 season is scheduled for Sunday, May 10, 2026.
It’s going to be at the Spotify Camp Nou. Given how tight the title race looks between Flick’s side and Ancelotti’s Madrid, this could essentially be the trophy presentation. Just a heads up—La Liga is notorious for shifting these games by a day for TV rights. Don't book your non-refundable flights for the Sunday just yet; it could easily land on Saturday evening.
The Chaos of the Copa del Rey
The "Copa" is where things get weird. Barcelona is currently in the thick of it, facing Racing Santander in the Round of 16. If they progress—which, let's be real, they should—the quarter-finals and semi-finals will be shoehorned into the mid-week slots throughout February and March.
The final is already set for April 25, 2026, at La Cartuja in Seville. Interestingly, there's been some talk about moving the date because it clashes with the Seville April Fair (Feria de Abril). Local authorities aren't exactly thrilled about a hundred thousand football fans descending on the city while everyone is already out in the streets in traditional dress.
Why the Schedule Keeps Changing
You might wonder why you can't get a straight answer for a game three months away. Basically, it’s the broadcasters.
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In Spain, the specific kickoff times for La Liga are usually only confirmed about 3 to 4 weeks in advance. They look at which games are the "hottest" for TV ratings and slot them into the prime 9:00 PM Sunday slots. If Barcelona is playing a Champions League game on a Tuesday, their prior league game must be on a Friday or Saturday. It’s a giant puzzle of player rest and advertising dollars.
Actionable Tips for Following the Schedule
Stop relying on static images of the season calendar you downloaded in August. They are almost certainly wrong by now.
- Check the Official La Liga App: It’s the only place where the "confirmed" vs "tentative" times are clearly marked.
- Sync your Calendar: Use the official FC Barcelona website to sync their fixture list to your Google or Apple calendar. It updates automatically when the league moves a game from Sunday to Saturday.
- Account for Time Zones: Most official schedules use CET (Central European Time). If you’re in New York, that 21:00 kickoff is a 3:00 PM afternoon game for you.
- Watch the Champions League Draw: The knockout phase draw happens on January 30, 2026. That’s when we’ll know exactly when the European nights return to the Camp Nou.
Staying on top of when the team plays is the only way to ensure you don't miss the next Lamine Yamal masterclass. Keep your travel plans flexible for May, as that El Clásico date is the one that will define the season.