Home › Derbies and big games
Derbies and big gamesThe biggest football matches of 2026-27 and how to get tickets
From El Clásico at the Spotify Camp Nou on 25 October 2026 to the North London derby and the Madonnina, the 2026-27 season is packed with fixtures that sell out in minutes. Many dates still depend on TV selection, so kick-off times are often to be confirmed. Here is the story behind each rivalry and the realistic routes to a seat.
Spain: El Clásico and the Madrid derby
Barcelona v Real Madrid is the fixture the whole world watches, a rivalry rooted in sport, identity and politics. The first meeting of the season is at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday 25 October 2026, with the return at the Santiago Bernabéu on the weekend of 8-9 May 2027, exact day to be confirmed. Barcelona tickets go first to socios, so general sale is limited.
The Madrid derby has become one of the fiercest in Europe. Atlético drew first blood this season, winning 2-1 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on 20 September: Grimaldo scored a penalty and Jonathan David added a second before Rüdiger pulled one back late, with Real playing most of the second half after Huijsen's red card. The return at the Bernabéu is set for the weekend of 3-4 April 2027.
England's big derbies: London, Manchester and Merseyside
The North London derby between Tottenham and Arsenal is about bragging rights in a city with no shortage of clubs. Spurs host first, scheduled for Saturday 5 December 2026 but liable to move once broadcasters pick their games, then Arsenal host on 1 May 2027.
The Manchester derby has already delivered controversy: City won 1-0 at Old Trafford in September through Erling Haaland, after Phil Foden had been sent off, and the referees' body later admitted a VAR error on the goal. The return at the Etihad is pencilled in for 20 March 2027, the day before the Carabao Cup final, so it could move.
Liverpool v Manchester United, the clash of England's two most successful clubs, comes to Anfield on 22 November 2026. The Merseyside derby has a new chapter too, with Everton hosting Liverpool at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium on 29 November.
Der Klassiker and Le Classique: Germany and France's big matches
Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund is the meeting of Germany's dominant club and its most passionate challenger, played in front of one of the most famous standing terraces in the game when it goes to Dortmund. The Allianz Arena leg falls on the weekend of 30 October to 1 November 2026, slot to be confirmed, with Signal Iduna Park hosting in March 2027.
Le Classique between Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain is France's most charged fixture, often played without away fans. PSG won 2-1 at the Orange Vélodrome in September, with goals from Ferran Torres and Marquinhos either side of an Angel Gomes strike. The return at the Parc des Princes is planned for February 2027.
Italy's derbies: Milan, the Derby d'Italia and Rome
The Derby della Madonnina between AC Milan and Inter is unique: both clubs share San Siro, so the same stadium switches colours depending on who is at home. Milan host on Saturday 31 October 2026, and Inter host on the weekend of 13-14 February 2027.
Inter v Juventus, the Derby d'Italia, sets the two great rivals of Italian football against each other at San Siro in January 2027, then at Juventus's Allianz Stadium in Turin in mid-May, when the title race could be on the line.
The Derby della Capitale between Lazio and Roma takes over the Stadio Olimpico twice: Lazio host in mid-December 2026, Roma in April 2027. The atmosphere in the two curve is reason enough to go.
Argentina: the Superclásico, South America's biggest match
Boca Juniors v River Plate needs no introduction. The Clausura meeting is confirmed for Sunday 1 November 2026 at La Bombonera, kick-off 3pm local time. The 2027 Superclásico is to be confirmed, as the Apertura fixture list has not yet been published. Tickets at La Bombonera go almost exclusively to club members, and away fans have been barred for years, so visitors are best advised to look at official hospitality packages.
How to actually get tickets for a derby
For these fixtures, general sale is the exception rather than the rule. The usual order is:
- Season-ticket holders, who keep their seats automatically.
- Paying members, often ranked by loyalty points or past attendance; in Spain and Argentina that means socios.
- General sale, if any seats remain, often for a few minutes only.
- Official hospitality, sold by the clubs themselves at a premium.
Join the club's membership scheme early in the season if you are serious about a derby, and watch out for TV-driven date changes before booking travel. Resale platforms do exist, but many clubs cancel tickets bought outside their official exchange and tickets are often named, so a resold seat can be refused at the gate. Our alerts flag official sale dates as soon as clubs publish them.
End of the 2026-27 season and the finals that follow
The Bundesliga finishes on 22 May 2027, Ligue 1 on 29 May, and the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A on 30 May, with all ten Premier League games kicking off at 4pm BST. A week later comes the Champions League final in Madrid on 5 June 2027. If you are planning a football trip, check the domestic finals such as the FA Cup final and the Copa del Rey final too.
The big matches of 2026-27 — frequently asked questions
When is El Clásico in 2026-27?
Barcelona host Real Madrid at the Spotify Camp Nou on 25 October 2026. The return at the Santiago Bernabéu is on the weekend of 8-9 May 2027, with the exact day to be confirmed.
Why are so many kick-off times still to be confirmed?
Leagues set final days and times a few weeks in advance, once broadcasters have chosen their games. That is why dates can move by a day.
Can a tourist buy tickets for a big derby?
Sometimes, but rarely through general sale. The most reliable options are club membership schemes and official hospitality packages.
Is it safe to buy derby tickets on resale websites?
It is risky. Many tickets are named and clubs can cancel seats sold outside their official exchange, so you could be refused entry.
When does the 2026-27 season end?
The Bundesliga ends on 22 May 2027, Ligue 1 on 29 May, and the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A on 30 May 2027.
Independent guide, not affiliated with UEFA, FIFA, CAF, AFC, Concacaf or the NFL. No official logos are used. Official tickets are sold by the organisers and clubs; some links on this site are affiliate links to resale platforms, whose prices may exceed face value.