Barcelona are preparing for another demanding season as the club look to continue building on their recent success under Hansi Flick.
The Catalan giants enter the new campaign with expectations high after establishing themselves as one of the dominant forces in Spanish football once again.
With another long season ahead, every early result could prove important in the battle for domestic honours.
Barcelona will be hoping their summer preparations allow them to start strongly as they chase another La Liga crown.
The club’s opening challenge of the 2026/27 league campaign has now been confirmed, via their website, with Athletic Club set to visit Spotify Camp Nou on the first matchday of the season.
Flick’s side will begin their title defence at home on August 16, giving supporters the chance to see their team return to competitive action in front of their own fans.
The fixture presents an immediate challenge, with Athletic Club known for their intensity and ability to compete against Spain’s biggest clubs.
After welcoming Athletic to Catalonia, Barcelona will then face Elche at home before heading into their first away fixtures of the campaign against Valencia and Levante.
The early weeks of the season will provide Flick with an opportunity to assess his squad and see how new additions settle into the team.
Barcelona will also have several major fixtures to look forward to, including the first El Clasico of the season against Real Madrid on matchday 10.
The meeting with their biggest rivals will take place at Spotify Camp Nou during the weekend of October 24 and 25, while the return clash is scheduled for the Santiago Bernabeu on matchday 35 in May.
The late-season El Clasico could have major consequences if the title race goes down to the final weeks of the campaign.
Barcelona will also renew rivalries with Espanyol, Atletico Madrid and other La Liga opponents as they look to defend their crown and continue their progress under Flick.
Want to get the latest Barcelona news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
