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

Jose Mourinho Returns to Real Madrid for 2026/27 Season

Florentino Perez has brought Jose Mourinho back to the Santiago Bernabeu after a rocky 2025/26 season that saw Real Madrid fire Xabi Alonso midway through and finish without trophies under Alvaro Arbeloa. With Mourinho’s return, Los Blancos have been busy in the transfer market, and their preseason matches offer some clues about the team’s shape moving forward.

Preseason Match Details and Results

Madrid kicked off their preseason with two games behind closed doors at their training ground, Valdebebas. They faced Alcorcon and Leganes, securing victories in both encounters. Afterward, they played four consecutive away matches against notable European clubs, including Serie A’s Fiorentina, Hungarian champions Ferencvaros, and recently promoted sides Deportivo La Coruna and Schalke.

• 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

Where Real Madrid Played Their Preseason Matches

The 2-2 draw against Fiorentina took place in Klagenfurt, Austria, at the Worthersee Stadion, a venue with a 30,000 capacity that also hosted AC Milan in 2021. The match versus Ferencvaros was held in Budapest, Hungary. Matches against Deportivo and Schalke were hosted at their respective home grounds.

Return of World Cup Players

Players who took part in the recent World Cup have gradually rejoined the squad. Antonio Rudiger and Endrick returned after the Leganes game. Vinicius Junior came back on July 31 and later signed a lucrative contract extension with Real Madrid. Kylian Mbappe made a swift impact by scoring just six minutes into his comeback during the preseason finale against Schalke.

Real Madrid’s Early La Liga Fixtures

Los Blancos begin their La Liga campaign on August 22 with an away trip to Espanyol. They won both meetings against Espanyol 2-0 last season. Mourinho’s first competitive home game will be at the Santiago Bernabeu, hosting Real Sociedad on August 26, followed by a match against newly promoted Malaga on August 30.

• August 22: Espanyol (Away)
• August 26: Real Sociedad (Home)
• August 30: Malaga (Home)
• September 6: Real Betis (Away)
• September 13: Rayo Vallecano (Home)