It’s a dream scenario for fans of La Liga and its clubs in the United States this year: Every single match — all 380 of them — will be streamed live in both English and Spanish on ESPN+ in the first year of an eight-year deal.
That means the full 10-match slate that will open the 2021-2022 season will be available with games spread out between Friday and Monday. The three favorites — Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona — will be in action on Saturday and Sunday.
Here’s the full rundown of Matchday 1, which will see the return of fans to stadiums, and the complete schedule with times, TV and streaming:
MORE: La Liga betting favorites
How to watch La Liga in USA
In addition to all 380 matches of the 2021-2022 La Liga season being streamed in English and Spanish on ESPN+ , select matches will also be aired on ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Barcelona’s opener against Real Sociedad on Sunday will be televised on ABC, the first live La Liga match on U.S. broadcast television.
ABC’s live coverage from Barcelona will begin with a 30-minute pregame show from the Camp Nou at 1:30 p.m. ET. The Spanish-language telecast will be available on ESPN Deportes. ESPN+ will still stream the match in English and Spanish.
- Dates: Aug. 13, 2021 – May 22, 2022
- Matches: Total of 380 league matches in 2021-2022
- Streaming: ESPN+ (all matches in English & Spanish)
- TV Channels: ABC, ESPN (select matches)
- Spanish-language TV: ESPN Deportes (select matches)
La Liga Schedule – Matchday 1
Friday, Aug. 13
| Match | Time (ET) | TV channels | Stream |
| Valencia CF 1, Getafe 0 | Highlights |
Saturday, Aug. 14
| Match | Time (ET) | TV channels | Stream |
| CA Osasuna vs. RCD Espanyol | 11 a.m. | ESPN+ | |
| Cadiz CF vs. Levante UD | 1:30 p.m. | ESPN+ | |
| RCD Mallorca vs. Real Betis | 1:30 p.m. | ESPN+ | |
| Deportivo Alaves vs. Real Madrid | 4 p.m. | ESPN+ |
Sunday, Aug. 15
| Match | Time (ET) | TV channels | Stream |
| Celta Vigo vs. Atletico Madrid | 11:30 a.m. | ESPN+ | |
| Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad | 2 p.m. | ABC, ESPN Deportes | ESPN+ |
| Sevilla vs. Rayo Vallecano | 4:15 p.m. | ESPN+ |
Monday, Aug. 16
| Match | Time (ET) | TV channels | Stream |
| Villarreal vs. Granada | 2 p.m. | ESPN+ | |
| Elche vs. Athletic Bilbao | 4 p.m. | ESPN+ |
La Liga weekend lookahead
Osasuna vs. Espanyol (Saturday): European qualification would be nice, but a tranquil season in the top-flight would suit Osasuna just fine. That requires home wins against the newly promoted sides like second-division champs Espanyol.
Cadiz vs. Levante (Saturday): Even in Week 1, these are massive points on the line in the battle against relegation to the second division, and Cadiz will have the greater sense of urgency as the home team. Both teams survived the drop comfortably last year (by 10 points and seven points, respectively) and will be hoping for the same this year.
Mallorca vs. Real Betis: In its return to La Liga, Mallorca will have its work cut out for it against a strong Real Betis side, which finished 6th last year and is aiming for another top half finish. Mallorca has brought in several new players, but this may be too early to see them at their best.
Deportivo Alaves vs. Real Madrid (Saturday): It’s a match between two teams that will live on opposite ends of the table this year. Even missing two starters, Real Madrid is the favorite against an Alaves side that will rely on its marquee scorer in a bid for an upset: Joselu (above) looks to be sticking around despite transfer interest from Sevilla.
Celta Vigo vs. Atletico Madrid (Sunday): A fascinating battle that could prove the most entertaining of Week 1. Celta, 8th-place finisher last year, will unleash its high-pressing attack against the reigning champs, which rode La Liga’s top goalkeeper (Jan Oblak, below) and best defense (only 25 goals allowed) to its 11th La Liga title.
Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad (Sunday): It’s not clear whether a Messi-less Barcelona can register its new players in time to play against a Real Sociedad team (5th place last year) that has the talent to win in the Camp Nou. La Real’s cause will be helped if an unhappy Barcelona home crowd turns against its own team at the first sign of trouble.
Sevilla vs. Rayo Vallecano (Sunday): Nothing short of a win will satisfy ambitious Sevilla, which many believe has an outside shot of competing for the La Liga title this season if the bounces go its way. Promotion playoff winners Rayo will put up a fight, but an established Sevilla squad that finished 4th last year, should get off to a winning start.
Villarreal vs. Granada (Monday): The defending Europa League champions open at home against a Granada side that is showing it belongs in La Liga with two straight top 10 finishes. A result at Villarreal would send a clear message that it means business again in 2021-2022.
Elche vs. Athletic Bilbao (Monday): Elche will be fighting for La Liga survival this year, while Athletic is aspiring to do much better than 10th place. Led by veteran Iker Muniain, Athletic is coming off a strong preseason (including a draw against Liverpool) and it will be tested by Elche’s defensive resistance.