el clasico 2023 When is Barcelona vs Real Madrid? El Clasico match dates, schedule for 2023-2024

El Clasico is one of the most hotly anticipated fixtures on the football calendar as the world fixes its eyes on Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The two most successful clubs in the history of Spanish football have fought it out for La Liga titles, cup wins and tense Champions League battles in pursuit of the ultimate bragging rights.

Although Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey last season, Barcelona will be the happier of the two sides as they lifted the La Liga trophy under the guidance of Blaugrana legend Xavi.

The Sporting News looks at the dates of El Clasico fixtures for the 2023/24 season.

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When is the next El Clasico?

The next competitive matchup between Barcelona and Real Madrid will take place on October 29, 2023. It will be matchday 11 in the La Liga schedule as Los Blancos travel to the Spotify Camp Nou.

Ahead of the league meeting, the two sides will square up in a preseason friendly at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, USA in July. Both teams will be playing multiple games in the United States to prepare for the upcoming season.

Barcelona won three of the five competitive meetings against Carlo Ancelotti’s side last season, including a 3-1 victory in the Super Cup final. Real Madrid did record the biggest win, though, beating their rivals 4-0 on the road in the Copa del Rey semifinal second leg.

When are Barcelona vs Real Madrid matches in 2023/24?

Along with the two league fixtures and preseason encounter, Barcelona and Real Madrid could also face each other in the Super Cup final in January. With the semifinals and the final taking place in Saudi Arabia, Osasuna and Atletico Madrid stand in the way of an El Clasico final.

If both clubs manage to stay in the title race in April, their fixture on April 21, 2024 could be a title decider as they meet late on in the league season. 

Copa del Rey fixtures are yet to be released, but it is unlikely that they will be drawn against one another in an early round.

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El Clasico all-time results for Barcelona vs Real Madrid

Barcelona and Real Madrid have met 286 times in the past, with the first game dating back to May 13, 1902. The Catalan side won the Copa de la Coronacion match 3-1 to begin the rivalry.

In 254 competitive fixtures between the two teams, Real Madrid lead the head-to-head 102 wins to 100 for Barcelona, with 52 draws. The latter do, however, lead 118 to 106 games due to 20 wins in 34 friendly matches.

Lionel Messi has the most El Clasico goals with 26 goals, eight more than Cristiano Ronaldo and Alfredo Di Stefano. Sergio Busquets has appeared in the fixture more often than any other player, playing in 47 El Clasicos.

Here are the El Clasico results from the 2022/23 season.