Why aren't Barça playing in LaLiga's first gameweek of the 20/21 season?

LaLiga returns to action this weekend but not everyone is starting at the same time. Barça are one of four teams who will begin their domestic campaign a little later. 

The reason behind this is Barça finished the 2019/20 season later than their rivals. They made the knockout rounds of the Champions League before being eliminated by Bayern Munich on the 14th August. This will start LaLiga on the third gameweek, which takes place on the 27th September against Villarreal. The first two scheduled matches, against Elche and Athletic Club, have been moved to January.

Real Madrid will make their LaLiga debut next week whilst Atletico and Sevilla, like Barça, will wait until the weekend commencing the 27th.