If you’re missing your weekly fix of Premier League and LaLiga soccer, the good news is that the wait is nearly over. The bad news? There’s still another weekend of international action to get through. Yes, yes, I know some people love it but I’m not here for you.
Attention turns back to the clubs today.
When do Real Madrid, Barcelona and LaLiga return?
LaLiga gets going a day earlier, on Friday, Oct. 9, with Málaga hosting Espanyol at 3 p.m. ET. That means Spanish league soccer is just a week away.
Both Barcelona and Real Madrid return on Saturday, Oct. 10:
- Barcelona vs Getafe: 12:30 p.m. ET.
- Real Madrid vs Villarreal: 3 p.m. ET.
The two Spanish giants resume their campaigns at home, with the first Clásico of the season coming later in the month, on October 25. A day before the Ballon d’Or awards if you like that sort of thing.
When does the Premier League return?
The Premier League returns on Saturday, Oct. 10, with Arsenal hosting Leeds United at 7:30 a.m. ET. Manchester United against Tottenham follows later that day, kicking off at 12:30 p.m. ET.
The biggest attraction comes on Sunday, October 11, when Liverpool hosts Manchester City at Anfield at 11:30 a.m. ET. The round concludes on Monday, October 12, with Coventry City against Newcastle.
When do the other major European leagues return?
Fans of Germany, France and Italy also have domestic soccer to look forward to next week:
- Bundesliga: Friday, Oct. 9, beginning with Borussia Dortmund against Werder Bremen. Bayern return with a trip to Augsburg on Saturday.
- Ligue 1: Friday, Oct. 9, opening with Lens against Lyon. PSG welcome Le Mans the following day.
- Serie A: Saturday, Oct. 10, with Genoa against Fiorentina first on the schedule. Pulisic and AC Milan will be in action on Sunday 11, at 12 noon E.T.
Why has this international break been so long?
If this pause has felt longer than usual, that’s because it is. FIFA has combined the September and October international breaks into one 16-day window, allowing national teams to play up to four games.
The new arrangement reduces the number of separate interruptions to the club season. In Europe, the first four matchdays of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League run between September 24 and October 6. MLS kept ticking along a little more than others.
So, no, your fixture app isn’t broken. Club soccer is almost back, and supporters will be hoping their players return ready for action.
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