Summary of Key Highlights
The La Liga held an opening event for the new season in Shanghai, revealing five key points: La Liga is a hub for top World Cup players and a cradle for youth talent; the new season will feature a star-studded lineup, the return of promoted teams, and exciting derby matches; it will be the first league in the world to adopt intelligent football technology on a large scale to improve the accuracy of refereeing decisions; broadcasts in mainland China will cover all matches (exclusively through Migu and in collaboration with CCTV); and there are plans to deepen cooperation with Chinese football in youth development and grassroots initiatives.
1. Why is La Liga considered a “star factory” for the World Cup?
Right after the World Cup, the significance of La Liga was evident: 24 out of the 52 players in the 2026 World Cup final came from La Liga (more than any other league), and 25 of Spain’s national team members were products of La Liga’s youth programs. There are two main reasons for this: first, La Liga’s high level of competition attracts world-class players like Mbappé and Bernardo Silva; second, its robust youth training system has produced talents like Ammar, a 16-year-old prodigy nurtured by Barcelona’s own academy. In short, La Liga is both a magnet and an incubator for stars.
2. What to look forward to in the new season?
The new season offers a plethora of highlights:
- Star lineup: Established players like Ammar (Barcelona), Mbappé (Real Madrid), and Bernardo Silva will continue to compete, along with new additions such as Gordon and Bernardo Silva, enhancing the team strength.
- Return of promoted teams: Traditional strong teams like Santander, Rayo Vallecano, and Malaga are returning to La Liga, bringing fresh competition to the league.
- Derby matches: Regional derbies (Madrid, Basque region, etc.) will take place, with the highly anticipated “National Derby” (Real Madrid vs Barcelona) kicking off in October at the Nou Camp and the return match in May next year at the Bernabeu. Fans can set their alarms in advance!
3. La Liga is embracing technology with “Intelligent Football”!
La Liga aims to be the first league in the world to use the “Connected Ball” technology on a large scale, starting from the 2026/27 season. This technology involves installing radio frequency sensors in PUMA match balls that provide real-time data on the ball’s location and touch times. Combined with VAR (Video Assistant Referee) and SAOT (Semiautomatic Offside Detection) systems, it aims to make refereeing decisions more accurate and transparent. The sensors do not affect the feel or performance of the ball, ensuring that players can focus on their play without concerns about controversial calls.
4. How will Chinese fans watch the matches?
The broadcast arrangements for mainland China are very convenient: Migu is the exclusive new media partner, broadcasting all 380 matches (with 8 matches exclusively and 2 matches jointly with CCTV). Whether you use Migu on your phone or watch CCTV on television, you won’t miss any exciting moments.
5. La Liga’s commitment to Chinese football development
La Liga is not only interested in attracting Chinese fans but also wants to deeply engage with Chinese football: a La Liga youth training academy has been established in Shanghai, and plans are in place to bring more matches to grassroots football initiatives in China (such as schools and communities), providing opportunities for young players. The league also intends to strengthen cooperation with the Chinese Football Association and professional clubs to improve the overall level of Chinese football. In other words, La Liga is committed to both sharing its expertise and providing a platform for Chinese football’s growth.
Overall, the new La Liga season promises exciting matches, as well as innovative advancements in technology and international collaboration, which are great news for both Chinese fans and the development of Chinese football.