The 2025-26 La Liga season, also known as La Liga EA Sports, marks the 95th edition of Spain’s premier football competition.
The 2025-26 La Liga season kicks off on August 15, 2025, bringing intense rivalries, exciting transfers, and a thrilling title race led by the perennial powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona.
With promoted sides injecting fresh energy and dark horses lurking, the season has already delivered drama since its start.
Looking ahead to the 2025-26 La Liga season or exploring Spanish football narratives, this all-inclusive guide provides everything from a complete team lineup to global broadcasting details.
Barcelona are the reigning champions, having secured their 28th title in the previous season.
Get expert insights on title contenders, relegation battles, and standout players to watch.
2025-26 La Liga Teams: Promoted Sides and Relegation Survivors
La Liga’s 20 clubs bring together a mix of legendary giants and rising challengers.
The 2024-25 La liga season saw the relegation of Leganés, Las Palmas, and Real Valladolid, making room for three new arrivals from Segunda División: Levante UD (securing direct promotion on May 25, 2025), Elche CF (clinching their spot on the final day), and Real Oviedo (triumphing in the playoffs with a 3-2 aggregate win over Mirandés).
Here’s the finalized lineup:
| Team | Nickname/Notes | Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Alavés | The Babazorros | Eduardo Coudet |
| Athletic Bilbao | Los Leones | Ernesto Valverde |
| Atlético Madrid | Los Colchoneros | Diego Simeone |
| Barcelona | Barça | Hansi Flick |
| Real Betis | Los Verdiblancos | Manuel Pellegrini |
| Celta Vigo | Os Celestes | Claudio Giráldez |
| Elche CF | Promoted 2025 | Eder Sarabia |
| RCD Espanyol | Los Pericos | Manolo González |
| Getafe CF | Los Azulones | José Bordalás |
| Girona FC | The White-and-Reds | Míchel |
| Levante UD | Promoted 2025 | Julián Calero |
| RCD Mallorca | The Balearics | Jagoba Arrasate |
| CA Osasuna | Los Rojillos | Alessio Lisci |
| Real Oviedo | Promoted 2025 | Luis Carrión |
| Rayo Vallecano | Los Franjirrojos | Iñigo Pérez |
| Real Madrid | Los Blancos | Xabi Alonso |
| Real Sociedad | Txuri-Urdinak | Sergio Francisco |
| Sevilla FC | Los Nervionenses | Matías Almeyda |
| Valencia CF | Los Che | Carlos Corberán |
| Villarreal CF | The Yellow Submarine | Marcelino |
These promoted teams bring grit: Levante returns after a one-year absence, Elche seeks stability post-relegation, and Oviedo makes a historic top-flight comeback since 2001.
2025-26 La Liga Standings: Top Contenders and Relegation Scrap
After nine matchdays in October 2025, Real Madrid leads with a perfect, near-record run, while Barcelona and surprise package Villarreal chase closely.
The table reflects early dominance by the big three, but promoted sides struggle at the bottom.
Here’s a snapshot (as of 15 December 2025):
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barcelona | 17 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 49 | 20 | +29 | 43 |
| 2 | Real Madrid | 17 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 34 | 16 | +18 | 39 |
| 3 | Villarreal | 15 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 31 | 13 | +18 | 35 |
| 4 | Atlético Madrid | 17 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 30 | 16 | +14 | 34 |
| 5 | Espanyol | 16 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 20 | 16 | +4 | 30 |
| 6 | Betis | 16 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 25 | 19 | +6 | 25 |
| 7 | Athletic Bilbao | 17 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 15 | 22 | −7 | 23 |
| 8 | Celta Vigo | 16 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 20 | 19 | +1 | 22 |
| 9 | Sevilla | 16 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 20 |
| 10 | Getafe | 16 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 13 | 18 | −5 | 20 |
| 11 | Elche | 16 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 19 | 20 | −1 | 19 |
| 12 | Alavés | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 14 | 17 | −3 | 18 |
| 13 | Rayo Vallecano | 16 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 16 | −3 | 18 |
| 14 | Mallorca | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 18 | 23 | −5 | 17 |
| 15 | Real Sociedad | 16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 20 | 24 | −4 | 16 |
| 16 | Osasuna | 16 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 14 | 20 | −6 | 15 |
| 17 | Valencia | 16 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 25 | −10 | 15 |
| 18 | Girona | 16 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 30 | −15 | 15 |
| 19 | Oviedo | 16 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 26 | −19 | 10 |
| 20 | Levante | 15 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 16 | 28 | −12 | 9 |
Top Contenders:
- Real Madrid’s unbeaten streak under Xabi Alonso positions them as La Liga title favorites.
- Barcelona’s Hansi Flick era is showing promise despite a Champions League stutter.
- Villarreal emerges as an early dark horse for the top four.
Relegation Battle:
- Promoted trio Levante, Elche, and Oviedo occupy the drop zone, with just 6-8 points each.
- Granada and Almería (if not adjusted) join the fray, facing a survival grind amid defensive frailties.
- Expect tense derbies to define the bottom.
Key Transfers, Managerial Shifts, and Title Contenders: Shaping the 2025-26 Race
The summer window exploded with €500m+ in deals, fueling a three-horse title race.
Major Transfers:
- Real Madrid: Signed Joan García (GK from Espanyol, €25m) for long-term stability; outgoing: minimal, retaining Mbappé’s firepower.
- Barcelona: Added Trent Alexander-Arnold (from Liverpool, €60m) to bolster the right; Rashford (loan from Man Utd) adds versatility.
- Atlético Madrid: Julian Álvarez (from Man City, €75m) headlines; Joan García’s arrival signals GK overhaul.
- Promoted Impact: Levante snagged Santi Cazorla (free return); Oviedo invested in youth loans.
Managerial Changes:
- Real Madrid: Xabi Alonso replaces Ancelotti, bringing tactical fluidity.
- Barcelona: Hansi Flick succeeds Xavi, emphasizing high press.
- Villarreal: Francisco (internal promotion) eyes European spots.
Title Contenders:
- Real Madrid: Squad depth and Alonso’s vision make them frontrunners.
- Barcelona: Flick’s rebuild with Yamal and Pedri could end Madrid’s reign.
- Atlético: Simeone’s grit + Álvarez make them spoilers.
Top Goalscorers
One of the best Soccer players, Kylian Mbappé, is among the top players.
- Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid – 11
- Julián Alvarez – Atlético Madrid – 6
- Karl Etta Eyong – Villarreal / Levante – 6
- Vedat Muriqi – Mallorca – 5
- Vinícius Júnior – Real Madrid – 5
How to Watch La Liga 2025-26: Global Broadcasting and Streaming Guide
Catch every El Clásico and goal with these La Liga broadcast partners.
- USA: ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes for all 380 matches; FuboTV bundles.
- Canada: TSN Plus and DAZN for exclusive coverage.
- Australia: beIN Sports streams every game live.
- Europe/UK: Premier Sports + Disney+ in the UK; Canal+ in France, DAZN in Germany/Italy.
Use VPNs like ExpressVPN for geo-unlocks. Highlights on LaLiga’s app.
Compelling Storylines, Dark Horses, and Emerging Talents
- Dark Horses: Villarreal (top-3 potential under Francisco) and Mallorca (defensive solidity for Europe) could stun.
- Emerging Talents: Lamine Yamal (Barca), Arda Güler (Real Madrid, creative spark), and Levante’s youth loanees.