LaLiga to stage first Retro Matchday in April as Real Madrid and Barcelona opt out of vintage kits

LaLiga has announced plans for its first ‘Retro Matchday’, a coordinated initiative across the top two tiers designed to turn club heritage into a marketable matchweek product spanning kit retail, broadcast presentation and fan activations.The league said the retro weekend will run from April 10 to 13, covering Matchday 31 in LaLiga EA Sports and Matchday 35 in LaLiga Hypermotion, with participating clubs wearing newly produced shirts inspired by historic designs from their archives.LaLiga is also extending the theme beyond teamwear. Referees will wear a special design through the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s Referees Technical Committee, while the broadcast will use retro-style graphics and a dedicated visual identity intended to reinforce the concept across television and digital platforms.Jaime Blanco, director of LaLiga’s club office, said: “Retro Matchday is a unique opportunity to honor the history of our clubs and the symbols that have shaped generations of fans. "It allows us to bring the past into the present while continuing to build experiences and strengthen the legacy that emotionally connects with supporters. "Presenting this collection during Spain’s leading fashion week is the perfect platform to project that identity beyond the field and position soccer at the heart of the cultural and creative conversation."The kits are due to be unveiled on March 19 at MBFWMadrid, positioning the launch within Spain’s flagship fashion week as LaLiga seeks to strengthen the link between football culture and lifestyle retail. The league described the project as part of its wider ‘A Living Legacy’ positioning and the campaign ‘42 Legacies, 42 Ways of Winning’, aimed at highlighting how club identity is passed between generations.Not every club will wear a throwback strip on the pitch in the first edition. Real Madrid and Barcelona are among those not expected to participate in the kit element this season, with reports also indicating Getafe and Rayo Vallecano will not switch to retro match shirts due to logistical constraints.LaLiga officials have indicated the concept is planned as a two-season initiative, signalling an intention to refine the rollout and broaden participation, with the league expressing a desire for Real Madrid to join in a future edition.For clubs and kit suppliers, the weekend creates a defined, league-backed window to promote limited-edition product drops and coordinated storytelling, offering an additional sales moment late in the season alongside an integrated media package that can be sold to broadcasters and sponsors.