Updated: Aug. 22, 2026, 12:00 p.m.|Published: Aug. 22, 2026, 12:00 p.m.
Mardrid’s Kylian Mbappe, left, and Schalke’s Soufiane El-Faouzi, right, challenge for the ball during a pre-season soccer match between FC Schalke 04 and Real Madrid in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Aug. 16, 2026. (Bernd Thissen/dpa via AP)Bernd Thissen/DPA via APSet as Google Preferred Source
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Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappé take on Espanyol in the club’s 2026-27 La Liga opener today, Aug. 22, at RCDE Stadum in Barcelona, Spain.
Watch today’s matchup on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET with a free trial to DIRECTV or Fubo.
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Mbappé had a successful offseason, winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals and leading France to a spot in the bronze medal match.
Real Madrid (27-5-6) finished second in the La Liga standings last season with 86 points, eight points behind first place Barcelona.
READ MORE: Where to watch La Liga opening weekend: Live stream, schedule for Spanish soccer league
Where to stream Real Madrid vs. Espanyol game on Aug. 22
Here’s everything you need to know about today’s matchup:
Date: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026Time: 3:30 p.m. ETLocation: RCDE Stadium | Barcelona, Spain Channel: ABCLive stream: DIRECTV (free trial), Fubo (free trial)
You can also watch every La Liga match in the U.S. with an ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited plan, starting at $13 a month.
Today’s game will also be televised on ESPN Deportes. ESPN holds exclusive U.S. broadcast rights to the league through the 2028-29 season.
Where to shop Real Madrid merch
Joey Chandler is a sports commerce writer for NJ.com. She joined NJ.com in 2021, where she’s covered everything from the NFL to college sports and now sports commerce. Before arriving in New Jersey, she covered… more