European football leagues begin 2026/27 seasons

Major European football leagues are commencing their 2026/27 seasons. LaLiga has already begun, with Real Madrid entering a new era under manager Jose Mourinho and FC Barcelona defending their title. Villarreal is also positioned as a potential contender for Champions League qualification.

The Premier League and Ligue 1 are scheduled to start on August 21, followed by Serie A on August 22 and the Bundesliga on August 28. This staggered start is attributed to the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup, which necessitated a later schedule to allow players sufficient recovery time.

In addition to domestic leagues, the UEFA Champions League is preparing for its league phase draw on August 27, with the tournament's final set to take place at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid. International club competitions like the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana are also active, featuring matchups such as Cerro Porteño vs. Palmeiras and Independiente Santa Fe vs. River Plate.