Last 20 LaLiga openers
All set for Barça to begin the 2026/27 LaLiga season, as they are scheduled to play Elche at the Martínez Valero stadium on 23 August (kick-off 9.30pm CEST). The match is actually the second gameweek fixture because the blaugranes didn't play the first, which was postponed to allow more rest for the players who featured at the World Cup.
As such, the game against Elche is essentially the start of the new season for Hansi Flick and the team, and they will be looking to maintain a trend that has been particularly favourable over the last two decades.
On taking a look at the last 20 LaLiga opening fixtures for Barça from 2006/07 onwards, the breakdown is very positive, with 15 wins, three draws and only two defeats, and 52 goals for and only 10 against. A record showing they have started well during most of the period.
A record that began in the Rijkaard era
It began on 28 August 2006, when Barça coached by Frank Rijkaard at the time visited the Balaídos stadium to play Celta de Vigo. The blaugranes won 2-3 with goals from Samuel Eto'o, Leo Messi and Eidur Gudjohnsen. That victory started a run of good results that continued throughout most of the coming years.
The first draw came the following year. Barça drew 0-0 against Racing de Santander at the Spotify Camp Nou, and then the first defeat came in the 2008/09 season, with Pep Guardiola on bench, a 1-0 away loss to Numancia at the Los Pajaritos stadium.
However, results picked up from then on. Between 2009 and 2013, Barça won five in a row in resounding fashion, featuring players such as Cesc Fàbregas, Thiago Alcántara, Pedro and David Villa.
Big wins and big players
One of the most stunning starts came in 2013, when Barça got a big 7-0 win over Levante at the Spotify Camp Nou. That match saw top performances by players such as Alexis Sánchez and Leo Messi, part of a team in a season when Neymar arrived and 'Tata' Martino became coach.
Other matches of note include the 5-0 against Villarreal in 2011, 5-1 against Real Sociedad in 2012 and the 6-2 against Betis in 2016. The latter was one of the biggest wins to start the season during the period, with Barça showing their attacking potential very early on.
That period also featured players who figured strongly in the club's recent history. Leo Messi contributed significantly to these first fixtures, scoring goals against Celta, Real Sociedad, Levante and Alaves. Luis Suárez was another, scoring against Athletic Club in 2015 (0-1) and against Betis in 2016 (6-2).
Only two defeats in 20 years
Despite coming out on top most of the time, Barça have experienced some difficult starts. After the defeat to Numancia in 2008, the second loss in 20 years took until 2019 to arrive, when Athletic Club beat the blaugranes 1-0 at the San Mamés stadium courtesy of a stunning Aritz Aduriz goal in the last few minutes.
There have also been three draws. In addition to the 0-0 against Racing in 2007, Barça were held to other goalless draws against Rayo Vallecano in 2022 and Getafe in 2023. Two tough matches that showed that you can't always start the season with a win.
Last season Barça were back on the winning trail, however. They travelled to Mallorca and the blaugranes ran out 0-3 winners, with goals by Raphinha, Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal.
Elche the first test for this Barça
The next chapter will be written away to Elche. The game is on 23 August at the Martínez Valero stadium (kick-off 9.30pm CEST) and will be the LaLiga gameweek two fixture.
The context will be different from previous years, however. Barça will go into their first competitive match after a preseason affected by the players from the World Cup returning late. Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsí and the other world champions only recently returned to training, potentially affecting plans for the opening game.
All the same, Barça will be looking to build on the tradition of the last 20 years by starting the LaLiga season with a win.