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Barcelona 2026 Preseason: Schedule, Results, and Key Details

Barcelona aims to clinch three consecutive La Liga titles for the first time in 16 years. Under Hansi Flick, the team followed up their 2024/25 championship with a commanding title run, leaving rivals Real Madrid trailing. This marks Barca's third title in four seasons, but Madrid's summer investments and the return of Jose Mourinho add tension ahead of El Clasico.

Preseason Matches and Outcomes

Barcelona kicked off preseason by defeating local third-division side Club Esportiu Europa 4-1 at their Ciutat Esportiva training ground. They then faced English clubs Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest, with Nottingham Forest’s match part of a double-header against Serie A’s Udinese. After a strong 5-2 win over Swiss club Basel, Barca will close preseason with the Joan Gamper Trophy against Egyptian champions Al Ahly.

  • Opponent (result): Club Esportiu Europa (W 4-1)
  • Date: Thu., August 24
  • Location: Ciutat Esportiva, Barcelona
  • KO time (ET): 7:30 a.m.
  • Opponent (result): Birmingham City (D 2-2)
  • Date: Fri., July 31
  • Location: St Andrew's, Birmingham
  • KO time (ET): 2:45 p.m.
  • Opponent (result): Nottingham Forest* (W 1-0)
  • Date: Sat., August 8
  • Location: Stadio Friuli, Udine
  • KO time (ET): 3 p.m.
  • Opponent (result): Udinese* (L 1-0)
  • Date: Sat., August 8
  • Location: Stadio Friuli, Udine
  • KO time (ET): 4 p.m.
  • Opponent (result): Basel (W 5-2)
  • Date: Sun., August 16
  • Location: St. Jakob-Park, Basel
  • KO time (ET): 10:30 a.m.
  • Opponent: Al Ahly
  • Date: Wed., August 19
  • Location: Camp Nou, Barcelona
  • KO time (ET): To Be Confirmed

*Matches against Nottingham Forest and Udinese lasted 45 minutes each.

Venues for Preseason Fixtures

The match versus Birmingham City took place at St Andrew's Stadium in Birmingham during Barcelona's UK preseason camp based at St. George's Park, England’s national teams' training center. The shortened games against Nottingham Forest and Udinese were held at Udinese’s Stadio Friuli. The Basel encounter happened at their home ground, St. Jakob-Park. The Joan Gamper Trophy returns to Camp Nou after renovations, hosting Al Ahly for the first time there since 2022.

Return of World Cup Players

Following the Netherlands’ early World Cup exit, Frenkie de Jong joined Barcelona’s trip to England but is sidelined with a knee ligament injury. Other players who featured in the tournament, including those from Spain’s winning squad, France defender Jules Kounde, and England winger Anthony Gordon, were active in matches like the one against Basel.

Upcoming La Liga Opener and Early Fixtures

Barcelona will start their La Liga defense on August 23 with an away game against Elche. The previous season saw Barca claim two 3-1 wins over Elche, with Ferran Torres scoring in both. Following that, Barcelona faces Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano in consecutive night matches at Camp Nou.

  • Date: Sun., August 23 - Opponent: Elche - Away
  • Date: Thu., August 27 - Opponent: Athletic Club - Home
  • Date: Mon., August 31 - Opponent: Rayo Vallecano - Home
  • Date: Sun., September 6 - Opponent: Valencia - Away
  • Date: Sun., September 13 - Opponent: Levante - Away

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