Welcome, 2026! A new year begins, bringing fresh hopes, challenges and ambitions. And for FC Barcelona, there’s plenty to get excited about. January comes in strong, packed with high-stakes fixtures… and the chance to lift silverware.

A high-voltage derby

Barça open 2026 with a much-anticipated derby against RCD Espanyol. On the 3rd, the Liga leaders travel to Cornellà for a clash crackling with intensity. The best Espanyol side of recent years, currently fifth, will be eager hosts to the blaugranes, who have fond memories of a stadium where they clinched the league title last season. From 9pm CET, the Barcelona derby is just the start of a gripping month.

All eyes on the Super Cup

Hansi Flick and his squad then head to Saudi Arabia in search of the season’s first trophy. As they did last term, Barça will be aiming to bring the Spanish Super Cup back home. To do so, they must first overcome Athletic Club in the semi-final on the 7th. If successful, they’ll contest the final on the 11th against the winner of the other semi-final, a Madrid derby between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.

From Arabia to Donostia

On returning home, there is more work to be done in two different competitions. First comes a trip to San Sebastian, where Barça face Real Sociedad, who have changed coach in recent weeks and are now led by Pellegrino Matarazzo, making his LaLiga debut.

And from Donostia to Prague

From the Basque Country to the Czech Republic for the final European away day of the first phase, away to Slavia Prague on the 21st. It’s very much a must-win if Barça are to reach the final matchday with a chance of breaking into the Top 8 and avoiding the play-off round.

The last two, at home

It won’t be until the weekend of 24–25 January that the blaugranes step onto the pitch at the Spotify Camp Nou for the first time in 2026. And it’s a fixture not seen for a quarter of a century: Barça v Oviedo. Barça won 3-1 at the Carlos Tartiere in the first half of the season, but the Asturians haven’t visited Barcelona since 2001 (their last top-flight campaign before this one) and that season, despite relegation, they won 1-0.

UCL to end

Finally, a relentless month concludes with the eighth and decisive round of the Champions League league phase, when FC Copenhagen visit Barcelona. The Danes will likely be battling for a Top-24 finish to stay alive in Europe’s premier competition. For Barça, a win in Prague would keep hopes of a Top-8 place alive; if not, the aim will be the best possible seeding to secure a favourable play-off tie.

All this, and plenty more, awaits in January, the first month of 2026.

 

More news here