The 2015–16 La Liga season, commercially known as the Liga BBVA, was the 85th edition of Spain's top professional football division. The competition opened on 22 August 2015 and concluded on 15 May 2016. Entering the campaign, Barcelona held the title of defending champions. For an official summary and detailed fixtures one may consult the season overview at 2015–16 La Liga.
Format and competition structure
La Liga followed its established league format. Twenty clubs competed in a double round-robin schedule, each playing 38 matches (one home and one away against every opponent). Teams earned three points for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss. Where clubs finished level on points, the competition has traditionally applied head-to-head records before overall goal difference to determine positions.
- Number of teams: 20
- Matches per team: 38
- Points system: 3–1–0
- Tie-breakers: head-to-head, then goal difference
Stakes and continental qualification
Final league positions determined entry to European club competitions and domestic relegation. The highest-placed clubs qualified for the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League in accordance with UEFA allocation rules in place at the time. The three lowest-ranked teams were relegated to the Segunda División, with promoted clubs replacing them for the next season.
La Liga fixtures are interwoven with domestic cup ties (the Copa del Rey) and international breaks; consequently squads are managed across competitions and midweek matchdays often feature rearranged kick-off times to accommodate television schedules.
Notable matchdays typically include El Clásico meetings between Barcelona and Real Madrid and a number of high-profile city derbies and regional rivalries that influence title races, European qualification battles and relegation fights.
Historically, the 2015–16 campaign sits within the modern era of Spanish football shaped by professionalization since the league's founding in 1929 and commercial partnerships such as the long-running BBVA sponsorship. The season is commonly reviewed for its competitive storylines, player performances and the continuing rivalry among Spain's leading clubs, which have shaped domestic and continental football in the 21st century.