If you’re wondering when is FC Barcelona next game, you better clear your schedule for Sunday evening. Hansi Flick's men are heading to San Sebastián to face Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena.
The match kicks off on January 18, 2026, at 9:00 PM CET.
Coming off a massive high after lifting the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah—where they basically dismantled Real Madrid 3-2 in a thriller—the vibes around the locker room are pretty electric. But San Sebastián is never a walk in the park. Real Sociedad at home? That’s a trap game if I’ve ever seen one.
The immediate schedule: What’s coming up?
After the Real Sociedad trip, the calendar gets even more crowded. Honestly, it’s a bit of a nightmare for the training staff. They’ve got a Champions League away day against Slavia Prague on Wednesday, January 21, followed by a home game at the Spotify Camp Nou against Real Oviedo on Sunday, January 25.
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Here is the lowdown on the next few fixtures:
The Real Sociedad match on Jan 18 is the big one for La Liga momentum. Then it's straight to Prague for a 9:00 PM kickoff in the UCL. Finally, the team returns home to face Oviedo at 4:15 PM on the 25th.
It is a lot of miles. A lot of airports.
When is FC Barcelona next game and why does it matter?
This specific game against "La Real" is huge because of the league standings. Barcelona is currently sitting at the top, but the gap isn't as wide as Flick would like. Every point counts when you’ve got Real Madrid breathing down your neck.
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What makes this Sunday interesting?
- Lamine Yamal's form: The kid is playing like he's on FIFA's semi-pro difficulty. He was vital in the Super Cup and he’s expected to start on the right wing again.
- The Pedri milestone: Pedri just moved up the list of all-time appearances for Canary Islanders at the club. He’s controlling the tempo in a way that makes you forget he’s still so young.
- Defensive stability: Pau Cubarsí and Ronald Araújo have been a wall lately, but the Reale Arena crowd is loud. Very loud.
The Champions League factor
You can't talk about the next game without looking at the Slavia Prague fixture just three days later. Hansi Flick has been pretty open about rotation. We might see Gavi get more minutes or maybe Marc Casadó stepping in to give Frenkie de Jong a breather.
The Champions League "League Phase" is reaching its climax. Every goal matters for the final seeding. Barça fans are already eyeing that Budapest final in May, but you can't get to the Puskás Aréna if you slip up in Prague.
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How to watch and what to expect
For those of us watching from home, the Real Sociedad match will be broadcast across the usual suspects—beIN Sports in many regions, or ESPN+ if you're in the States.
Expect a tactical battle. Sociedad loves to press high. Flick loves to play a high line. It’s basically a recipe for a 4-3 thriller or a very tense 1-0. Given Raphinha’s current goal-scoring streak, I wouldn't bet against a few goals.
If you’re trying to plan your month, the January 28th game against FC København at the Spotify Camp Nou is the one to circle for a home atmosphere. It’s the final game of the UCL league phase, and it’s usually a party atmosphere when the European lights are on in Barcelona.
Actionable steps for fans
- Check the local time: 9:00 PM CET is the official time, but if you’re in New York, that’s 3:00 PM. If you’re in Sydney, you’re looking at a very early Monday morning.
- Monitor injury reports: Watch the Saturday press conference. Flick usually gives a hint about whether Lewandowski or Pedri will be rested for the midweek European trip.
- Grab tickets early: If you're actually in Spain, the Real Sociedad away end is usually sold out, but the Oviedo home game on the 25th still has some availability on the official site.
The season is entering that "crunch time" where titles are won or lost. Don't miss the kickoff.