Real Madrid 2026 Preseason: Schedule, Results, and Jose Mourinho’s Return
Real Madrid is stepping into the new season with Jose Mourinho back at the helm. After a rough 2025/26 campaign marked by the mid-season departure of Xabi Alonso and a trophyless finish under Alvaro Arbeloa, club president Florentino Perez decided to bring Mourinho back. The team has been active in the transfer market, and their preseason outings offer early hints about what’s ahead.
Preseason Matches and Results
The preseason began quietly with two closed-door games at the Valdebebas training complex against Alcorcon and Leganes. Following that, Madrid traveled for four straight away matches facing Serie A’s Fiorentina, Hungarian side Ferencvaros, and recently promoted Deportivo La Coruna and Schalke.
- Alcorcon (W 1-0) - July 24, Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, Madrid, 8 a.m. ET
- Leganes (W 4-1) - July 28, Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, Madrid, 12 p.m. ET
- Fiorentina (D 2-2) - August 1, Worthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt, 12 p.m. ET
- Ferencvaros (W 2-1) - August 8, Groupama Arena, Budapest, 1 p.m. ET
- Deportivo (W 1-0) - August 12, Riazor, A Coruna, 3 p.m. ET
- Schalke (W 3-0) - August 16, Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, 12 p.m. ET
Venues for Preseason Games
The match against Fiorentina took place at the Worthersee Stadion in Austria, a venue known for hosting AC Milan in 2021. In Budapest, Madrid faced Ferencvaros at the Groupama Arena. The visits to Deportivo and Schalke were at their respective home grounds, Riazor and Veltins-Arena.
Return of World Cup Players
Antonio Rudiger and Endrick rejoined the squad after the Leganes game. Vinicius Junior came back on July 31 and soon signed a lucrative contract extension. Kylian Mbappe made an instant impact by scoring within six minutes of his return during Madrid’s final preseason match against Schalke.
Real Madrid's Opening La Liga Fixtures 2026/27
The league campaign kicks off with an away game against Espanyol on August 22. Madrid won both meetings against Espanyol last season by 2-0 scores. Mourinho’s first home matches will be against Real Sociedad and newly promoted Malaga.
- August 22: Espanyol (Away)
- August 26: Real Sociedad (Home)
- August 30: Malaga (Home)
- September 6: Real Betis (Away)
- September 13: Rayo Vallecano (Home)
