Mourinho Returns to Real Madrid and Opens at Home Against Real Sociedad

José Mourinho begins his second spell in charge of Real Madrid in August, against Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabéu. LaLiga released the full calendar for the 2026/27 season on Tuesday, and in the very first weekend — between the 15th and 16th of August — the Merengues already face the Copa del Rey champion of the previous year. A high-stakes opening, with no easy start whatsoever.

How the Calendar Is Organised for the Big Clubs

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona open the season at home against Athletic Bilbao, while Atlético de Madrid host newly promoted Málaga in the same opening weekend. Among the other teams that earned promotion to the top flight, Racing Santander and Deportivo La Coruña play at home against Villarreal and Elche respectively.

The first Clásico of the year takes place in the 10th round, between the 24th and 25th of October, with Barcelona receiving Real Madrid at the Camp Nou. The return fixture is scheduled for the 34th round, in the last week of April, at the Bernabéu. Both encounters are already circled on every calendar.

The Weight of Mourinho’s Return and What Is at Stake

The Portuguese coach’s return to the Madrid club is laden with expectation — and pressure. Real Madrid finished the last two seasons without winning any major trophy, a rare drought for a club accustomed to living among silverware. Mourinho, who managed the Merengues between 2010 and 2013, won LaLiga in 2011/12 with 100 points, a historic record in Spanish football.

The calendar presents challenges spread throughout the year. In September, Madrid visit Atlético in the Madrid derby, with the return leg scheduled for April. That means four direct encounters against heavyweight rivals in domestic competition alone — not counting the cups and the Champions League, whose formats for the season have not yet been revealed.

The pressure does not start gently. Mourinho returns to Madrid at a moment when the club needs to prove it is still the centre of gravity of Spanish — and European — football. The calendar at least cooperated with a home opener. But Real Sociedad are not an opponent to be underestimated, especially with a recent Copa del Rey title to their name. The “Special One” will have very little time to rehearse.