With the resurgence of European domestic football, a palpable wave of excitement engulfs fans and experts alike as the forthcoming season draws near. Among the multitude of European leagues commanding attention over the next nine months, Spain's premier domestic football league, La Liga, stands out as one of the most enthralling competitions. However, before delving into the intricacies of the schedule and matches, it's essential to take a deeper look into what La Liga has in store for the eagerly anticipated 2023-24 season.
Recognized as the world's third most popular professional football league, trailing only Germany's Bundesliga and England's Premier League, La Liga's widespread appeal can be attributed to the presence of some of the globe's most illustrious clubs. The likes of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have played a pivotal role in drawing a substantial viewership to the league, owing to their triumphant performances on domestic, continental, and international stages. Interestingly, the combined tally of UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and FIFA Club World Cup titles secured by La Liga teams surpasses that of any other league.
Given this prestigious legacy, it's hardly surprising that La Liga teams are currently engaged in the bustling summer transfer market, laying the groundwork for the commencement of the 2023-24 season. While prominent names such as Karim Benzema, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba (among others) will be absent in the upcoming season, noteworthy talents like Jude Bellingham, Ilkay Gundogan, and Cesar Azpilicueta have made their way to Spain.
Following the departure of iconic figures Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – two of the most remarkable players of our era and perhaps football history – the race for the La Liga title has become more open, with numerous teams in close pursuit of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Analyzing the previous season's performances alongside developments in the summer transfer window, it's evident that the upcoming season promises an even more intense and competitive atmosphere.
So, let's delve into various aspects of the La Liga 2023-24 season, including the points table, match structure, schedule, and fixtures.
What Format Will La Liga Follow in the 2023-24 Season?
Since the 1997-98 season, a total of 20 teams have vied for the coveted La Liga title, and this trend continues into the upcoming 2023-24 season. The competition unfolds through a league format, with teams clashing twice – once at home and once away. This arrangement leads to each team participating in 38 league matches throughout the 2023-24 season. At the conclusion of this series, the team accumulating the highest points secures the coveted top position on the table, emerging victorious.
While points determine the championship, they also play a pivotal role in determining the bottom-ranked teams. According to regulations, the three teams finishing at the lowest positions in La Liga are relegated to La Liga 2 for the following season. Simultaneously, the top three teams from La Liga 2 earn the promotion to La Liga for the upcoming season.
Moreover, the top four teams in La Liga earn qualification for the subsequent season's UEFA Champions League. Additionally, the champions of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League secure direct entry into the Champions League of the following season. If circumstances arise where six teams from La Liga (including Champions League and Europa League winners) qualify for Europe's elite club football competition, the fourth-placed La Liga team will participate in the Europa League, as the Champions League allows a maximum of five teams from each nation.
Schedule of La Liga 2023-24?
The opening match of La Liga 2023-24 will feature Almeria and Rayo Vallecano on Friday, August 11, at 7:30 PM CET (11:00 PM IST on Friday, August 11). Real Madrid, boasting an impressive 35 titles as the most successful club in La Liga history, will commence their league campaign against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, August 12, at 9:30 PM CET (1:00 AM IST on Sunday, August 13). The reigning champions and holders of 27 La Liga titles, FC Barcelona, will embark on their journey for the 2023-24 season on Sunday, August 13, at 9:30 PM CET (1:00 AM IST on Monday, August 14), taking on Getafe.
The highly anticipated El Clasico, featuring Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, is scheduled twice in the La Liga 2023-24 season. The initial clash will take place in Barcelona on October 29, while the return leg is set for April 21, 2024, in Madrid.
The culmination of La Liga 2023-24 will take place on May 26, 2024, with Match Day 38 marking the final day of the season.
Who Is the Principal Sponsor of La Liga 2023-24?
Starting from the 2023-24 season, EA Sports, a subsidiary of Electronic Arts renowned for its sports video game development, will assume the pivotal role of the primary sponsor for La Liga.
Where Can You Watch La Liga 2023-24?
The broadcasting rights for La Liga 2023-24 have been secured by various platforms across different regions:
- In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, La Liga TV and FreeSports have exclusively acquired the broadcasting rights for the 2023-24 season. They will live-stream all Spanish Primera Division 2023-24 matches in these regions, with the option of streaming through their digital platforms (Website, App) via a premium subscription.
- Viacom18 Media has secured streaming rights for La Liga in India for the next three years. MTV, a Viacom18 channel, will exclusively air La Liga matches in the upcoming season, with select matches also available on national and regional network channels. Streaming options include Voot and Jio platforms.
- In the United States, ESPN's record-breaking deal of $1.4 billion over eight seasons, starting from the 2023-24 season, secures television rights for La Liga. ESPN+ will stream all 380 La Liga games annually, with some games airing on traditional ESPN networks. This deal also covers Canada, with TSN and RDS networks broadcasting matches.
- Amazon and LaLiga have joined forces to bring live Spanish soccer to the Prime Video Channels platform in the UK for the 2023-24 season. Exclusive access for German and Austrian fans will be available on DAZN.
- In Sub-Saharan Africa, SuperSport will broadcast all matches of La Liga 2023-24 live. SuperSport will be available on DStv, GOtv, and SuperSport's digital platforms (Website, App).
- DAZN continues to broadcast Spanish Top Division matches in Germany, Austria, and Japan for an additional five seasons.
- China Mobile's Migu streaming service has secured non-exclusive live streaming rights for La Liga games in China.
- iQiyi Sports has gained exclusive streaming rights for La Liga Santander in China for the 2023-24 season.
- Setanta Sports Eurasia has extended its broadcast deal for the Baltic region for five years.
- StarTimes retains exclusive broadcasting rights for La Liga across sub-Saharan Africa until 2024.
- Digi Sport will continue to show La Liga 2023-24 matches in Romania for a three-year period.
The season is set to commence on August 11, featuring 20 teams competing in a league format. Matches will take place at the home stadiums of the participating clubs across Spain. EA Sports, a subsidiary of Electronic Arts, will be the principal sponsor of La Liga for the 2023-24 season.
Fans around the world can enjoy the matches through various broadcasting platforms, ensuring an exciting and widespread viewing experience.
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