It is mid-January 2026, and if you've been following the La Liga 2025 schedule, you know the "honeymoon phase" of the season is officially dead. We are deep in the trenches now. The January window is open, the weather in Vitoria-Gasteiz is miserable, and the table is starting to separate the contenders from the pretenders.
Honestly, looking at the fixtures remaining, it's a total gauntlet.
While everyone was obsessed with Kylian Mbappé's arrival at Real Madrid last summer or Hansi Flick's tactical overhaul at Barcelona, the actual schedule has been the biggest opponent for these clubs. Between the revamped Champions League format and the Spanish Super Cup trips to Saudi Arabia, players are basically living on airplanes.
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Where we stand right now
As of today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, we’re heading into some massive Matchday 20 and 21 fixtures. Barcelona currently sits at the top of the pile with 49 points, having just come off a frantic 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in the Super Cup final in Jeddah. But the league doesn't care about trophies won in the desert.
Real Madrid is breathing down their necks with 45 points. Xabi Alonso, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti last June, has made Madrid look incredibly vertical, but they’ve dropped a few points they shouldn't have—like that 2-1 loss in the Clásico back in October.
Villarreal is the surprise package this year. They’re sitting third, playing some of the most cohesive football in Spain. Atletico Madrid is fourth, but they've been the kings of the draw lately, which is driving Diego Simeone visible madness on the touchline.
Crucial January and February Fixtures
If you’re trying to plan your weekends, the La Liga 2025 schedule for the next few weeks is packed.
Today, January 18, we have a massive one: Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona at the Anoeta. Playing in San Sebastián is never easy, and with Barça coming back from Saudi Arabia, this has "upset" written all over it.
On January 24 and 25, Madrid travels to face that dangerous Villarreal side. This is arguably the biggest game of the month. If Alonso’s men lose there, the gap to Barcelona could start to look like a canyon.
Looking further ahead into February, things don't get any easier. We have the "Legends Series" in LA on February 22 for those into the nostalgia, but for the actual title race, the late February fixtures against the likes of Athletic Club and Atletico are where the season will likely be won or lost.
The El Clásico Date Everyone Asks About
Let’s talk about the big one. You've probably already circled it, but if not, the second league El Clásico of the season is set for May 10, 2026, at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Because the La Liga calendar is asymmetrical, the reverse fixtures don't follow the same order as the first half of the season. This May date is Matchday 35. Think about that for a second. There will only be three games left after that whistle blows.
If the current point gap stays under five, that game in Barcelona will essentially be a winner-take-all final for the trophy. It’s the kind of drama Javier Tebas dreams about when he’s setting these schedules.
Survival of the Fittest (and the Promoted)
It’s not just about the top. The battle at the bottom is heartbreaking this year.
Real Oviedo, back in the top flight after 24 years, is finding out just how cruel La Liga can be. They’ve already sacked Luis Carrión and brought in Guillermo Almada to try and stop the bleeding. They’re currently 20th, stuck on 13 points.
Levante and Elche, the other promoted sides, are also struggling to stay above the water. Valencia is in 18th place. Yes, Valencia. One of the historic giants of Spanish football is staring down the barrel of relegation, and their upcoming schedule includes a brutal run against Atletico and Real Sociedad.
How to actually watch the games
If you're in the US, the broadcasting situation is pretty stable, though it's moved around a bit.
- ESPN+ remains the primary home for almost every single match.
- ESPN Deportes handles the Spanish language side.
- Occasional "Game of the Week" broadcasts show up on ABC or ESPN2, especially for the big derbies.
If you’re lucky enough to be in Spain, DAZN and Movistar+ are still splitting the rights, which makes it a bit of a headache for locals to find which channel has their specific game each weekend.
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What to watch for next
Keep an eye on the injury reports. With the La Liga 2025 schedule being so congested, depth is everything.
Real Madrid is relying heavily on Arda Güler and Rodrygo to rotate with Mbappé, while Barça is praying Lamine Yamal’s legs hold up through the spring.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Download the Official La Liga App: It’s the only way to get real-time kickoff changes, as TV broadcasters often move games 2-3 weeks before they happen for "optimal viewing."
- Check the Champions League overlap: If you’re betting or playing fantasy, look at the Tuesdays and Wednesdays surrounding the big La Liga weekends. Teams like Girona and Athletic Club are playing more games than they ever have, and rotation is a guarantee.
- Monitor the February 2nd Transfer Deadline: Teams like Valencia and Getafe are expected to be active in the loan market to fix their goal-scoring woes before the final stretch of the schedule.
The road to the trophy ends on May 24, 2026. Between now and then, it’s going to be absolute chaos.