Real Madrid 2026 Preseason Overview: Dates, Results, and Mourinho’s Return
Jose Mourinho has taken the helm once again at Real Madrid. After a difficult 2025/26 campaign that saw the team lose its way and finish without trophies, President Florentino Perez decided to bring back Mourinho. The season saw the dismissal of Xabi Alonso midway through, and Alvaro Arbeloa couldn’t steer the team back to success.
With Mourinho's comeback, Real Madrid have been busy strengthening their squad. Their preseason matches provide some insight into how the new setup might perform in the coming months.
Real Madrid 2026 Preseason Matches and Results
- Opponent: Alcorcon | Result: Win 1-0 | Date: Friday, July 24 | Location: Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, Madrid | Kickoff (ET): 8 a.m.
- Opponent: Leganes | Result: Win 4-1 | Date: Tuesday, July 28 | Location: Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, Madrid | Kickoff (ET): 12 p.m.
- Opponent: Fiorentina | Result: Draw 2-2 | Date: Saturday, August 1 | Location: Worthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt | Kickoff (ET): 12 p.m.
- Opponent: Ferencvaros | Result: Win 2-1 | Date: Saturday, August 8 | Location: Groupama Arena, Budapest | Kickoff (ET): 1 p.m.
- Opponent: Deportivo La Coruna | Result: Win 1-0 | Date: Wednesday, August 12 | Location: Riazor, A Coruna | Kickoff (ET): 3 p.m.
- Opponent: Schalke | Result: Win 3-0 | Date: Sunday, August 16 | Location: Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen | Kickoff (ET): 12 p.m.
Venues for Preseason Games
The match against Fiorentina was played at the Worthersee Stadion in Austria’s Klagenfurt, a venue that hosted AC Milan in 2021. Then Madrid traveled to Budapest to meet Ferencvaros at the Groupama Arena. Deportivo La Coruna and Schalke welcomed Madrid to their home stadiums for the remaining preseason games.
Returning Players Post World Cup
Players like Antonio Rudiger and Endrick rejoined the squad after the Leganes game. Vinicius Junior came back on July 31 ahead of signing a new contract extension with Madrid. Kylian Mbappe made an immediate impact by scoring within six minutes of his return in the final preseason match against Schalke.
First Five La Liga Fixtures for 2026/27
- Date: Saturday, August 22 | Opponent: Espanyol | Venue: Away
- Date: Wednesday, August 26 | Opponent: Real Sociedad | Venue: Home
- Date: Sunday, August 30 | Opponent: Malaga | Venue: Home
- Date: Sunday, September 6 | Opponent: Real Betis | Venue: Away
- Date: Sunday, September 13 | Opponent: Rayo Vallecano | Venue: Home
The La Liga campaign begins with a trip to Espanyol, where Madrid aims to continue last season’s perfect record against them, having won both meetings 2-0. Mourinho’s first competitive home matches will be against Real Sociedad and newly promoted Malaga.
