La Liga 2021-22: Key dates, Big Matches, Derby, El Clásico

Photo: NLD

Barcelona will get to host the first Clasico clash against Real Madrid after the full fixture list for the 2021-22 LaLiga season was revealed.

The opening fixture in the rivalry will take place at Camp Nou on October 24, 10 games into the new campaign, with the returning meeting to be held at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 20 next year.

Opening day fixtures

La Liga 2021-22: When will begin?

The La Liga calendar was revealed on Wednesday at the RFEF's headquarters in Madrid, with the fixture list being picked at random from a set of predetermined options.

The La Liga 2021-22 season will begin on the weekend of Aug. 15, 2021 and conclude the weekend of May 22, 2022. while the days and times of matches -- with games taking place between Friday and Monday each weekend -- will be selected by La Liga at a later date.

*Download 2021-22 Season LaLiga in full schedules, fixtures Here!

LaLiga fixtures 2021/22: El Clásico, Madrid Derby

It remains to be seen whether Barça, who will start their season at home to Real Sociedad on the weekend of August 14-15, will still be able to call on Lionel Messi, whose contract with the Catalan club runs out at the end of June.

The 34-year-old is yet to commit to a new deal, though Barca president Joan Laporta has stressed his confidence an agreement will be reached.

Madrid, meanwhile, kick off their season on the road against Deportivo Alaves. Los Blancos requested an away fixture to start 2021-22 as redevelopment work continues at their Bernabeu home, meaning Carlo Ancelotti will have to wait a little longer for his first home match since returning to the Spanish club.

Meanwhile, reigning champions Atletico Madrid will start their title defence away at Celta Vigo.

The first Madrid derby, to be hosted by Los Blancos, will take place in December, with the second fixture – a potential title decider – scheduled for May 8.

Barça will close out their season at home to Villarreal, with Madrid hosting Real Betis and Atleti travelling to Real Sociedad.

Wednesday also saw confirmation of the date for the Copa del Rey final, which will take place at Estadio de la Cartuja in Seville on April 23 next year.

Barring the last two matchdays, the entirety of the 2020-21 season had to be played behind closed doors due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Spanish health minister Carolina Darias confirmed earlier this month that fans would be allowed to return for games in the new campaign, though the emergence of the Delta variant across Europe may put those plans on hold.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas, however, insisted last week that he hopes stadiums will be back at full capacity by November.

Speaking on June 23, Tebas said: "I believe we can start the season with 60 per cent capacity. Some areas of Spain will have more, some less. But by November or December we should be at 100 per cent."

Madrid derbys against Atlético, Getafe and Rayo Vallecano

The first Madrid derby between Real Madrid and Atlético comes in Week 17 on the weekend of 11-12 December 2021 at the Santiago Bernabéu. When the two clubs meet again, it could turn out to be a decisive game as it falls three matches before the league is decided. The defending champions welcome Ancelotti's team to the Metropolitano on the weekend of 7-8 May 2022 (Week 35).

As for Madrid's clashes with other clubs from the same city, Rayo Vallecano and Getafe, the first will be against Rayo at the Bernabeú (6-7 November 2021, Week 13). Los Blancos travel to Getafe on the final day of the first round of games (Week 19), scheduled for 2 January 2022. That game however, could be brought forward to New Year's Eve (Friday 31 December). Madrid will be in Vallecas in Week 26 (26-27 February 2022) while Real Madrid-Getafe will be in Week 31 (9-10 April 2022).

Clásicos: Two in LaLiga, one in the Super Cup

There will be at least three Clásicos in the 2021-22 season. Apart from the two league meetings, Barcelona and Real Madrid will face each other in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup which will be played on either 12 or 13 January 2022. The first LaLiga Clásico will be played on the weekend of 23-24 October 2021 at Camp Nou (Week 10). The reverse fixture at the Bernabéu will take place on 19-20 March 2022 (Week 29).

Final day

Betis are Madrid's opponents of the final day of LaLiga (22 May 2022), but at least Ancelotti's team will be at home. As will Barcelona, with Villarreal as guests at Camp Nou on the final day,while Atlético bring their season to a close away to Real Sociedad.

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