You've probably been there. You settle onto the couch, remote in hand, ready to see Kylian Mbappé tear up the wing, only to realize the match isn't on. Or worse, it started three hours ago because of a last-minute LaLiga time change. Honestly, keeping track of when will real madrid play feels like a full-time job lately. Between the revamped Champions League format and the domestic cup chaos, the calendar is a mess.
Right now, we are sitting in the thick of the 2025-26 season. If you are looking for the next time the Men in White take the pitch, you need to circle Tuesday, January 20, 2026 on your calendar. That is when the Champions League returns to the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid will host AS Monaco at 9:00 PM CET.
It is a massive fixture. But it's also just the tip of the iceberg for a month that has been—and will continue to be—absolutely grueling for Xabi Alonso’s squad.
When Will Real Madrid Play: The Upcoming 2026 Fixture List
The schedule for the next few weeks is relentless. If you're trying to plan your life around these games, here is the breakdown of the confirmed matches through February. Keep in mind that LaLiga loves to tweak kickoff times about two weeks out, so these are the slots you should be watching.
- Real Madrid vs. AS Monaco (Champions League) – Tuesday, Jan 20, 9:00 PM CET.
- Villarreal vs. Real Madrid (LaLiga Matchday 21) – Saturday, Jan 24, 9:00 PM CET.
- Benfica vs. Real Madrid (Champions League) – Wednesday, Jan 28, 9:00 PM CET.
- Real Madrid vs. Rayo Vallecano (LaLiga Matchday 22) – Sunday, Feb 1, 2:00 PM CET.
- Valencia vs. Real Madrid (LaLiga Matchday 23) – Sunday, Feb 8 (Time TBD).
That trip to Lisbon on the 28th is the one everyone is talking about. It’s the final matchday of the Champions League opening round. Depending on the table, it could be a relaxed trip or a high-stakes fight for a top-eight seed to avoid the playoff round.
Why the Schedule Recently Shifted
If you’re wondering why the vibe feels a bit heavy in Madrid right now, it’s because the team just suffered a bit of a shock. On Wednesday, January 14, Real Madrid traveled to Albacete for the Copa del Rey Round of 16. Most people expected a walkover.
It wasn't.
Madrid lost 3-2. It was a chaotic game where Albacete’s Jefté Betancor scored a 90th-minute winner. This loss actually changed the answer to "when will real madrid play" for the rest of January. Because they are out of the cup, those midweek slots in late January that would have been reserved for the Quarter-finals are now suddenly empty.
Silver lining? The players actually get to breathe. Xabi Alonso has been vocal about the "no respite" nature of the current calendar. With the new Club World Cup coming up and the expanded Champions League, the squad is stretched thin.
The Injury Factor and Who is Playing
Knowing when they play is one thing; knowing who is playing is another. If you're checking the lineup for the Monaco or Villarreal games, don't expect a full-strength defense. The injury list is kinda terrifying right now.
Currently, the medical room is packed with names like Rüdiger, Militão, and David Alaba. Even Trent Alexander-Arnold has been dealing with fitness issues. This means we are seeing a lot more of the younger guys like Raúl Asencio and Jacobo Ramón.
The good news? Mbappé is on a tear. He's currently the top scorer in LaLiga with 18 goals as of mid-January. If you're tuning in to see goals, he’s basically a guaranteed reason to watch.
How to Actually Watch the Matches
This is where it gets annoying. Depending on where you live, "when will real madrid play" also depends on which streaming service you pay for.
In the US, Champions League matches are almost exclusively on Paramount+, while LaLiga stays on ESPN+. If you're in the UK, it's TNT Sports for Europe and Viaplay/ITV for the domestic stuff.
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Pro tip: always check the official Real Madrid app or website about 48 hours before kickoff. They are the only ones who update the "Time TBD" slots the second they become official. Google Search is usually fast, but the official club schedule is the gold standard.
What to Watch For in February
As we move into February, the intensity doesn't drop. After the Rayo Vallecano game, Madrid has to travel to the Mestalla to face Valencia. That's always a "hostile" environment, to put it lightly.
Then comes the big one in March—the Madrid Derby against Atlético on the 21st. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The focus right now is surviving this January stretch without losing more key players to the treatment table.
Actionable Tips for Following Real Madrid
Stop guessing. If you want to stay on top of the schedule without losing your mind, do these three things:
- Sync the Calendar: Use the "Add to Calendar" feature on the Real Madrid official site. It pushes automatic updates to your phone when LaLiga confirms the exact kickoff times.
- Ignore "Leaked" Schedules: You'll see accounts on X (formerly Twitter) claiming the Clásico or Derby times months in advance. They are almost always guessing. Wait for the LFP official announcement.
- Check the "Entradas" Section: Even if you aren't going to the game, the ticket sales page often updates with the "Confirmed" status of a match time before the news outlets pick it up.
The season is reaching its boiling point. Whether it's the cold Tuesday night in Lisbon or a Sunday afternoon at the Bernabéu, the race for the 37th league title and a 16th European Cup is officially on. Keep your eyes on that January 20th date—Europe is calling.