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Real Madrid Preseason 2026: Schedule, Results, and Mourinho's Return

Real Madrid has welcomed back Jose Mourinho as head coach, signaling a new direction after a difficult 2025/26 season. Florentino Perez decided to bring Mourinho back following the team’s struggles under Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa, which ended with no trophies.

Preseason Matches and Outcomes

The preseason began with two closed-door friendlies at the Valdebebas training center against Alcorcon and Leganes. After that, Madrid played four away games against notable European clubs:

  • Fiorentina (Serie A) - 2-2 draw
  • Ferencvaros (Hungarian giants) - 2-1 win
  • Deportivo La Coruna (recently promoted to La Liga) - 1-0 win
  • Schalke (newly promoted to Bundesliga) - 3-0 win

The early results provide some insight into how Mourinho is shaping the squad.

Detailed Preseason Schedule and Results

  • 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

Madrid faced Fiorentina at the Worthersee Stadion in Austria, a venue known for hosting high-profile matches such as the 2021 AC Milan game. The Hungarian capital hosted the clash with Ferencvaros, while Deportivo and Schalke welcomed Real Madrid at their home grounds.

Player Returns from World Cup Duty

After the Leganes match, Antonio Rudiger and Endrick rejoined the squad. Vinicius Junior returned on July 31 and soon committed to a new contract extension with the club. Kylian Mbappe marked his preseason comeback by scoring within six minutes during the final friendly against Schalke.

First La Liga Fixtures for 2026/27 Season

Real Madrid will open their La Liga campaign away at Espanyol on August 22. They had beaten Espanyol twice last season by 2-0 margins. Following this, Mourinho’s first home competitive games are 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)

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