La Liga unveils 2016-17 schedule: 1st Clasico set for December
Football fans will have to wait until December for the season's first Clasico as the fixture list for the 2016-17 Liga season was announced Friday.
Barcelona and Real Madrid will clash at the Camp Nou on Dec. 4, with the return leg at the Santiago Bernebeu set for April 22 or 23.
The season kicks off on Aug. 21 as Barcelona opens its title defence against Real Betis, while Real begins its season on the road against Real Sociedad.
First five matches in @LaLiga 2016/17
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 15, 2016
🏠@RealBetis
✈️ @AthleticClub
🏠 @Alaves
✈️ @CDLeganes
🏠 @Atleti
Sevilla and Atletico Madrid also open the season away from home with matches against Espanyol, and Alaves, respectively, while third-place finishers Villarreal hosts Granada.
Meanwhile, the first Madrid derby takes place Nov. 20 in what could possibly be the last match between Real and Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon before Los Rojiblancos moves into the Estadio La Peineta.
🏠 First 5 home matches
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) July 15, 2016
🚆 First 5 away matches
⚽ #RMClasico & #RMDerbi
LA LIGA FIXTURES 👉 https://t.co/JPxVXaJumN pic.twitter.com/QhzxIxq1KZ
Barcelona's possible final match at Atletico's famous stadium is set for Feb. 26.
Both Atletico and Barca will finish the season at home with matches against Athletic Bilbao and Eibar, respectively, as Real travels to Malaga for its final match of the Liga campaign on May 21.
View the complete Liga schedule here.