Barcelona's title defence will begin in eerie circumstances when they visit Getafe on the opening weekend of the 2023/24 La Liga season.
La Blaugrana mitigated grave financial woes last summer to build a competitive squad heading into 2022/23, and Xavi helped return the La Liga title to Catalonia for the first time since 2018/19 following a period of Madrid dominance.
With Real transitioning, Barcelona are the early favourites to retain their domestic crown next season, although the potential arrival of Kylian Mbappe would undoubtedly alter the predictions of many.
La Liga released its schedule for the new season at the end of June, with the current champions enjoying a fairly kind start to their title defence. However, their season will begin behind closed doors away at Getafe.
Why will Barcelona start the 2023/24 La Liga season behind closed doors?
Barça's opening opponents next season, Getafe, were hit with a stadium ban following an investigation into incidents which occurred in 2017 when Tenerife visited the Estadio Coliseum Alfonso Perez in the second leg of the Segunda Division play-off final.
Getafe supporters were observed throwing objects from the stands (including seats), breaking public order, and singing offensive songs. Smoke bombs went off at the full-time whistle and a pitch invasion ensued with Getafe earning promotion back into La Liga following a 3-1 win.
Originally, their stadium ban was replaced by an €18k fine, but the Anti-Violence Committee have appealed that decision, and the Spanish Supreme Court has now enforced a one-game stadium ban. As a result, Barça's visit on Matchday 1 of the 2023/24 La Liga season will be played behind closed doors.
Barcelona first six 2023/24 La Liga fixtures
After taking on Getafe in an empty stadium, Barcelona will host their first encounter in their new temporary home the following week against Cadiz.
Due to renovations currently taking place at Camp Nou, Barça will play their home games next season at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. The stadium was used for the 1992 Summer Olympics and has hosted eight Spanish national team matches since 1930. It hasn't been used for footballing purposes since 2004, however.
Real Betis and Celta Vigo will also visit Barcelona's new home early on in the season, with Xavi's men also visiting Villarreal and Osasuna - two teams that qualified for Europe last season - in their first six outings.
This article was originally published on 90min as Why will Barcelona start the 2023/24 La Liga season behind closed doors? .