CONFIRMED: La Liga to Have Retro Matchday With Historic Kits - Real Madrid Won't Participate, Barcelona "Did Not Have Enough Time"
- Retro Matchday Announced: La Liga will host its first Retro Matchday from April 10-13, 2026, during which 38 clubs will wear special kits inspired by iconic designs from their past.
- Teams Not Participating: FC Barcelona, Rayo Vallecano, and Getafe CF will not wear classic kits due to preparation issues, while Real Madrid CF will not participate in the initiative at all.
- Retro Kit Unveiling: The retro kits will be officially unveiled on March 19 during Fashion Week Madrid, and referees will also wear retro-inspired uniforms.
Confirming the rumors, La Liga has announced the first Retro Matchday in its history. The La Liga Retro Matchday is set to take place from April 10 to 13, 2026 during Matchday 31 of La Liga EA Sports and Matchday 35 of La Liga Hypermotion (second division).
La Liga to Have Retro Matchday With Historic Kits - 4 Teams Won't Wear Retro Kits (Including Barcelona and Real Madrid)
*Mockup by Valencia CF specialists Tribuna Deportiva
A total of 38 clubs will wear special kits inspired by iconic designs from their past. The initiative aims to celebrate club heritage by bringing historic looks back onto the pitch, with modern reinterpretations of classic jerseys.
Mockup by Footy Headlines - both Madrid and Barcelona will not wear retro kits, however
However, FC Barcelona, Rayo Vallecano, and Getafe CF will not wear classic kits, due to "preparation issues", but they will still take part in the matchday through other activations. Real Madrid CF will not participate in the initiative at all.
The retro kits will be officially unveiled on March 19 during Fashion Week Madrid, highlighting the connection between football heritage and fashion. Referees will also join the theme by wearing a special retro-inspired uniform provided by the Royal Spanish Football Federation Referees Technical Committee.
La Liga says the initiative is part of its “42 Legacies, 42 Ways of Winning” campaign, designed to celebrate how club identities and fan traditions are passed down through generations.
The idea is nothing new - in 2022, the president of the South American football federation, Alejandro Domínguez, suggested retro kits for the FIFA 2030 World Cup, which celebrates the 100th anniversary in 2030. In 2024, the Swedish Allsvenskan played with retro kits.
What do you think of La Liga introducing a full retro matchday with historic-inspired kits? Should FC Barcelona and Real Madrid have taken part? Let us know in the comments below.
