Real Madrid to Face Schalke 04 in Friendly on August 16

Real Madrid will continue their preparations for the new season with a friendly match against Schalke 04 on Sunday, August 16. José Mourinho’s men will travel to Germany for the encounter, which will take place at the famous Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen at 5:00 PM.

The match will represent another important test for Mourinho and his players as they approach the start of the competitive campaign. After several weeks of intense training sessions and friendly matches, the coaching staff will have another opportunity to assess the physical condition of the squad and continue working on the tactical ideas that Mourinho wants to implement.

Real Madrid will play in one of Germany’s most iconic stadiums. The Veltins-Arena, home of Schalke 04, can welcome around 62,000 spectators and is celebrating its 25th anniversary since its inauguration. Known for its impressive atmosphere and passionate supporters, the stadium has hosted numerous major football matches over the years.

For Real Madrid, Gelsenkirchen is also a place that brings back some memorable Champions League moments. The Spanish giants have previously played two official matches against Schalke 04 at the Veltins-Arena, winning both encounters.

Their first visit came in February 2014, during the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. Real Madrid produced one of their most dominant European performances, defeating Schalke 6-1 in Germany. That emphatic victory practically secured qualification before the return leg in Madrid and became one of the standout performances of the club’s successful European campaign that season.

Real Madrid returned to the same stadium one year later, once again in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. The result was another victory for the Spanish side, this time by 2-0, further strengthening the club’s positive memories of playing in Gelsenkirchen.

Sunday’s encounter will obviously have a very different context. Instead of fighting for Champions League qualification, both teams will use the friendly to improve their fitness, test different tactical systems and give minutes to players ahead of the new season.

For Mourinho, the match against Schalke could also provide another opportunity to evaluate several members of his squad before making his final decisions regarding the starting lineup and hierarchy for the opening competitive fixtures.

❗️ Real Madrid's next friendly is on Sunday against Schalke 04. pic.twitter.com/ro9ElGCkRg

— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) August 13, 2026

Young players and recent signings will also be hoping to impress the Portuguese coach, while established stars will look to continue building rhythm and physical sharpness.

The visit to Germany therefore represents an important final stage of Real Madrid’s pre-season preparations. Facing Schalke 04 in front of thousands of supporters at the Veltins-Arena should provide Mourinho’s team with a demanding test before the serious competition begins.

Real Madrid will be hoping to combine a convincing performance with another positive result while continuing their progression toward full competitive form.