Real Betis to host Real Sociedad at Estadio La Cartuja in LaLiga opener on August 21

Real Betis will host Real Sociedad at the Estadio La Cartuja on August 21 in a matchweek 1 fixture of the 2026-27 LaLiga season. The meeting serves as the opening domestic league game for both clubs.

Betis arrive off a mixed pre-season under Manuel Pellegrini, having lost 0-1 to Inter Milan in their final friendly, after a draw with AFC Bournemouth and wins over Arsenal and Levante. The Andalusian side finished fifth in LaLiga last season and are eligible to compete in the UEFA Champions League this year. The Pellegrino Matarazzo-led Real Sociedad side recorded three consecutive defeats in their last three club friendlies and, despite being Copa del Rey winners, have struggled in pre-season. Real Sociedad will travel for the fixture and, according to the preview, finished 30th in LaLiga last season.

Pablo Fornals is singled out as a key figure for Betis; the 30-year-old Spanish midfielder scored nine goals and had six assists in 37 LaLiga matches last season. Mikel Oyarzabal will be the principal attacking threat for Real Sociedad, arriving after winning the FIFA World Cup title with Spain and remaining the main source of firepower in the final third for La Real.

Availability issues have been reported for both squads. For Betis, Aitor Ruibal, Ismael Barea and Diego Conde are out with injuries, while Hector Bellerin might miss the game due to a lack of fitness. Alvaro Odriozola will not be available for Real Sociedad after suffering a Cruciate ligament injury and might return in early November 2026.

Projected starting XIs provided in the preview list Valles (GK); Ortiz, Bartra, Natan, Garcia; Bernal, Roca; Antony, Fornals, Riquelme; Hernandez for Real Betis. For Real Sociedad the projected lineup reads Remiro (GK); Aramburu, Martin, Beitia, Gomez; Sucic, Herrera; Kubo, Soler, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal.

The preview assesses Betis as having a slight advantage playing at home — described as "Los Heliopolitanos at home will be confident" — while noting that "La Real are not going to back down easily." It concludes that "Real Betis might come out on top and secure a win in their opening LaLiga 2026-27 clash against Real Sociedad."

The Estadio La Cartuja will host the match on August 21 (BST); Spanish coverage is listed as Movistar, DAZN and Teledeporte, while U.S. broadcasters are ESPN, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes. The FanCode app and website can be used to watch all the matches live.