​Real Madrid have completed their preparations for the 2026-27 season, shaping a dense pre-season schedule that will be conducted entirely in Europe. According to AS, Los Blancos have mapped out four friendly matches before real competition resumes, with the possibility of adding a fifth fixture if needed. The latest Real Madrid news also confirms that the club will not undertake a traditional summer tour of the United States. Instead, Jose Mourinho and the coaching staff have chosen to keep the squad closer to home, maximizing the extra preparation time created by the postponement of the club’s opening La Liga fixture.
With Real Madrid’s league opener pushed back, the Spanish giants will not start their campaign until the second matchday, when they travel to Espanyol on August 23. The pre-season schedule ahead of the 2026/27 campaign will begin on August 1, as Mourinho’s side head to Austria for their opening friendly. This aligns with a recent pattern, as the club also staged a summer fixture in Austria last year as part of their preparations.
One of the headline events on the Real Madrid pre-season calendar is the prestigious Teresa Herrera Trophy, in which Los Blancos are set to face newly promoted Deportivo. In total, the club has arranged four friendly matches, split between Spain and other European destinations, with officials also weighing the option of an additional behind-closed-doors match if Mourinho believes the squad needs more minutes before the league season begins.
The core plan is for Real Madrid to play four pre-season games this summer, a figure supported by numerous promotional photos and reports. The potential fifth game would mirror last year’s private match against Leganés, maintaining the option of a discreet additional workout for the squad if required.
A major talking point surrounding Real Madrid’s preparations is the decision to skip overseas travel. Departing from the club’s recent pattern, Real Madrid will not head to the USA this summer. By keeping preparations in Europe, Mourinho and the technical staff aim to preserve energy and minimize the fatigue associated with long-haul travel, allowing the players to focus on fitness, cohesion, and tactical readiness.
The report notes that the pre-season plans originally included discussions about a short training camp in northern Europe. After thorough internal deliberations, however, the coaching staff opted to base the squad at Valdebebas to maximize continuity and training efficiency. This decision reflects a broader strategic emphasis on minimizing disruptions and ensuring the squad hits the ground running when competitive football resumes.
As the campaign approaches, Real Madrid’s focus remains on building a cohesive unit that can compete across domestic and continental competitions. The plan to stay closer to home during pre-season highlights a commitment to optimizing preparation time, safeguarding player welfare, and ensuring the squad is finely tuned for the demands of a demanding 2026-27 schedule. Fans can anticipate a winter of intense football this season, with a streamlined European-friendly pre-season designed to deliver peak performance from day one.