Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: First 2019-2020 Clasico date, time announced

Real Madrid and Barcelona have been slow to start in the 2019-2020 season, which means their first “Clasico” battle of the new campaign will leave supporters with more reactions and takeaways than usual.

There’s nothing quite like “El Clasico” in club football. Real Madrid vs. Barcelona. La Liga’s premier showcase pits the world’s two most powerful teams against each other, and the level of on-field quality is simply a cut above anything else football fans will watch in a given calendar year.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are giant brands with the world’s biggest stars, and this year’s Clasico won’t be short on star power.

La Liga have officially announced the date and start time of the first Clasico of the 2019-2020 season, and it’s going to be an early kickoff game on Saturday, October 26 at the Camp Nou.

While 13:00 CET is a reasonable time for fans in Europe, India, and the Middle East, Real Madrid fans in the United States (many of whom read this site) may have to choose between hitting the town on Friday night vs. waking up early to catch the game live.

I might be biased, but there’s nothing quite like watching El Clasico live. Waking up early on a Saturday morning and sacrificing fun (or sleep, which is at a premium on weekends) may not be ideal, but it’s worth it to watch the two biggest brands in football go at it. Real Madrid vs. Barcelona is always a spectacle.

Currently, Real are ahead of Barcelona in the table by one point on Matchday 6, despite the fact that Barcelona have a game in hand. But Real have their own questions to answer, so both teams are, as usual, evenly matched. Despite the relatively slow starts, they are still La Liga’s favorites, especially since both teams have been dealing with major injuries – none bigger than Lionel Messi’s injury woes at Barca.

By Oct. 26, both teams will hopefully have healthy squads that have gelled together. With so many great young talents to watch like Ansu Fati and Vinicius Junior, the season’s first Clasico could have the additionally exciting prospect of blending old and new.

Remember, Saturday, Oct. 26 at 13:00 CET/7:00 a.m. ET. Mark it in your calendar. And if you’re in America, set an alarm for that morning.