Football
Barcelona are seeking to win three La Liga titles in a row for the first time in 16 years this season.
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Hansi Flick’s team backed up their 2024/25 triumph with a dominant march to glory ahead of beleaguered rivals Real Madrid.
It was also Barca’s third title in the past four seasons, but Madrid have invested significantly in their squad this summer and have Jose Mourinho back in the dugout for another crack at El Clasico hostilities.
Things appear altogether more settled for the champions. Here’s a breakdown of their preseason schedule.
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Barcelona preseason schedule, results 2026
Barcelona opened their preseason schedule with a game against local third-tier team Club Esportiu Europa, winning 4-1 at their Ciutat Esportiva training base.
English clubs Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest were up next, the latter as part of a double-header versus Serie A team Udinese.
After a resounding 5-2 win over Swiss side Basel, Flick’s side wrap up their preseason with the club’s traditional Joan Gamper Trophy match. Egyptian giants Al Ahly are the guests.
Barcelona preseason schedule, results 2026
| Opponent (result) | Date | Location | KO time (ET) |
| Club Esportiu Europa(W 4-1) | Thu., August 24 | Ciutat Esportiva, Barcelona | 7:30 a.m. |
| Birmingham City (D 2-2) | Fri., July 31 | St Andrew’s, Birmingham | 2:45 p.m. |
| Nottingham Forest* (W 1-0) | Sat., August 8 | Stadio Friuli, Udine | 3 p.m. |
| Udinese* (L 1-0) | Sat., August 8 | Stadio Friuli, Udine | 4 p.m. |
| Basel (W 5-2) | Sun., August 16 | St. Jakob-Park, Basel | 10:30 a.m. |
| Al Ahly | Wed., August 19 | Camp Nou, Barcelona | TBC |
* 45-minute matches
Where are Barcelona playing preseason games?
Barcelona faced Birmingham at the Championship club’s St. Andrew’s Stadium. The fixture was part of Barca’s preseason training camp in the UK, where they were based at St. George’s Park — the training facility used by England’s national teams.
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The 45-minute matches with Nottingham Forest and Udinese took place at the Italian club’s Stadio Friuli in Udine, with the Basel victory at their opponent’s St Jakob-Park.
The Gamper Trophy match will take place at Camp Nou for the first time since 2022 following the extensive refurbishment of Barcelona’s home ground.
When do World Cup players return to Barcelona?
Frenkie de Jong has travelled with Barcelona to England following the Netherlands’ Round of 32 exit at the World Cup, although a knee-ligament tear will keep him out of action for some time.
Other World Cup players returned for the trip to Udine. Barcelona’s representatives in Spain’s World Cup-winning squad, along with France defender Jules Kounde and England winger Anthony Gordon, were back in action against Basel.
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When is Barcelona’s first La Liga game of 2026/27?
Barcelona kick off their title defeat away to Elche on August 23. The Blaugrana won both matches between the sides 3-1 last season. Spain’s World Cup final hero Ferran Torres scored in both games.
After that, Barca have back-to-back night matches at Camp Nou against Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano.
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Barcelona’s first five La Liga fixtures 2026/27
| Date | Opponent | Home/away |
| Sun., August 23 | Elche | Away |
| Thu., August 27 | Athletic Club | Home |
| Mon., August 31 | Rayo Vallecano | Home |
| Sun., September 6 | Valencia | Away |
| Sun., September 13 | Levante | Away |
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