Real Madrid are preparing for an intense period as José Mourinho’s side are set to play six matches in the space of just four weeks. After completing their final two pre-season fixtures, Los Blancos will officially begin their LaLiga campaign with matches against Espanyol, Real Sociedad, Málaga and Real Betis.
The next challenge comes on Wednesday, August 12, when Real Madrid travel to Galicia to face Deportivo de La Coruña at the Riazor Stadium. The match, scheduled for 9:00 p.m., will be played as part of the 81st edition of the prestigious Teresa Herrera Trophy.
It will be another important opportunity for Mourinho to continue assessing his squad, improving the team’s physical condition and refining his tactical plans ahead of the start of competitive football.
Just four days later, on Sunday, August 16, Real Madrid will play their final pre-season friendly. The Spanish giants will travel to Germany to face Schalke 04 at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen. Kick-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
That fixture will represent Mourinho’s final test before the serious business begins.
LaLiga Begins Against Espanyol
Real Madrid’s official season will begin on Saturday, August 22, with an away match against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium. The game, corresponding to the second round of LaLiga, will kick off at 9:30 p.m.
Madrid’s first league fixture of the season had previously been postponed, meaning Matchday 1 will instead take place four days later.
On Wednesday, August 26, Real Madrid will finally return to the Santiago Bernabéu, where they will host Real Sociedad at 9:00 p.m.
The occasion will mark the club’s first competitive home match of the new campaign and Mourinho’s first LaLiga appearance at the Bernabéu since returning to the Real Madrid bench.
Two More Important League Tests
Real Madrid will remain at home for their next fixture, welcoming Málaga to the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, August 30. The Matchday 3 encounter is scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m.
The demanding run will then conclude on Friday, September 4, when Mourinho’s side travel to Seville to face Real Betis.
Kick-off is scheduled for 9:00 p.m., with the match expected to provide another difficult early-season test for Los Blancos.
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— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) August 10, 2026
With two pre-season matches followed immediately by four LaLiga fixtures, Mourinho and his coaching staff will need to carefully manage the physical condition of the squad. The coming weeks will also provide an opportunity for new arrivals and returning internationals to fully integrate into the team.
Real Madrid will therefore enter a crucial phase of their preparation, with six matches that could help establish the rhythm, hierarchy and tactical identity of Mourinho’s team at the beginning of the new season.
Real Madrid’s Upcoming Schedule
| Date | Match | Competition | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 12 | Deportivo vs Real Madrid | Teresa Herrera Trophy | 9:00 p.m. |
| August 16 | Schalke 04 vs Real Madrid | Pre-season Friendly | 5:00 p.m. |
| August 22 | Espanyol vs Real Madrid | LaLiga | 9:30 p.m. |
| August 26 | Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad | LaLiga | 9:00 p.m. |
| August 30 | Real Madrid vs Málaga | LaLiga | 5:00 p.m. |
| September 4 | Real Betis vs Real Madrid | LaLiga | 9:00 p.m. |
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