Celta Vigo's La Liga opener against Osasuna has been postponed after the pitch at the Estadio de Balaidos was affected by a fungal disease, forcing a late change to the schedule for both clubs.
The match had been due to kick off on Sunday at 20:30 BST in the 2026-27 La Liga season, but it will now be played on Thursday, 27 August at 19:30 BST.
Why the match was moved
La Liga officials carried out a pitch inspection on Wednesday following an outbreak of fungus growing on Celta's surface. Celta said the problem was linked to weather conditions affecting the playing surface, while Osasuna said the poor condition of the pitch made it impossible to play the match on the original date.
Last week, La Liga had already completed a technical inspection and certified that the field met the required quality and safety parameters for sports play. The latest review changed that picture, with the turf now considered unfit for football.
What the clubs said
Osasuna said it understood and accepted the postponement, while also criticizing the timing of the decision. The club said it preferred a September date during the international break, and added that La Liga and the RFEF were aware of that preference.
Celta also confirmed the change, saying La Liga agreed on Thursday morning, in coordination with the clubs and the RFEF, to move the fixture because the stadium's turf was currently unfit for football.
What it means going forward
For Celta Vigo and Osasuna, the postponement turns the opening weekend into a waiting game rather than a straightforward season start. It also creates a quick rescheduling challenge, with the match now shifted only a few days later to Thursday, 27 August.
The decision is a reminder that pitch conditions can alter even a season opener at short notice, especially when weather and surface issues intersect. Both clubs now move forward knowing their first La Liga fixture will arrive on a different day and at a different time than planned.
