Global Fútbol

The return of LaLiga is imminent. During the El Partidazo #VolverEsGanar show on Movistar, LaLiga’s broadcast partner in Spain, league President Javier Tebas announced the kick-off times for the next two rounds of fixtures and confirmed that there will be games on every day of the week.

Two full match days will be completed within the first week, with clashes such as Athletic Club vs Atletico de Madrid and the Valencia derby, pitting Valencia CF against Levante UD, set to be played on the first weekend following the competition’s restart.

Tebas also revealed a project to involve LaLiga fans in matches, which will be played behind closed doors for the time being. The Applause to Infinity initiative will see applause from fans from across the world played out in stadiums in the 20th minute of matches.

Kick-offs in three time slots, with flexibility 
During the announcement of official kick-off times for the first and second matchdays back, Tebas noted that there will be three time slots for matches which can be adjusted based on weather conditions, in particular high temperatures.

From now until the end of the season, weekdays will feature regular match slots at 19:30 and 22:00 CET, while regular match times for weekend fixtures will be 17:00, 19:30 and 22:00 CET. The first of these slots will be reserved for games played in the north of Spain, where June and July temperatures are milder than the rest of the country.

 

In addition, if the weather conditions are favourable, one more weekend match slot will be included at 13:00 CET. Over 40 LaLiga Santander and LaLiga SmartBank games are planned to be played each week.

Sevilla FC vs Real Betis will be played on Thursday 11th June at 22:00 CET to kick off Matchday 28 of LaLiga Santander, Elche C.F vs Extremadura UD, CF Fuenlabrada vs CD Tenerife and Málaga CF vs SD Huesca will kick off Matchday 32 in LaLiga SmartBank on Friday 12th June at 19:30 CET.

 

Applause to Infinity: A tribute by LaLiga, the clubs and fans to the heroes of COVID-19
In addition to kick-off times, the Tebas unveiled the Applause to Infinity project, an initiative which will involve LaLiga fans from all over the world and pay tribute to the heroes who are fighting to overcome the current global health pandemic.

The restart of the league season will see all LaLiga teams forced to play behind closed doors due to the exceptional measures taken to deal with the pandemic. Applause to Infinity will, however, ensure that fans' presence is felt during every LaLiga Santander and LaLiga SmartBank match, with their applause ringing out in stadiums in the 20th minute.

LaLiga has created a website where fans from all over the world can upload applause in support of their club as well as the heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A single track will then be created using sounds from across the globe and played in stadiums in the 20th minute of matches. The applause will help build a wall of sound in commemoration of the heroic efforts that have been made to overcome the crisis.

“Supporters in the stands make football complete but now, due to reasons beyond their control, they won’t be able to be there," Tebas said. "We have created this initiative to help fans be a part of LaLiga’s return and also show their support for the heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic. We want them to feel close to their team, even if they cannot be in the stadiums cheering them on, and for players to feel the support of their fans.”