ESPN may not have the soccer portfolio that it once did when it held rights to the World Cup, English Premier League, and even Major League Soccer. But the WorldWide Leader in Sports still has a global impact when it comes to their coverage of La Liga and the Bundesliga. And ESPN is going all out for the top soccer game on their calendar – the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid in El Clásico.
With the latest iteration in the classic rivalry happening on Saturday, October 26, at 3 p.m. ET, ESPN will offer fans a MegaCast that is reserved for the network’s biggest sporting events. ESPN says it is “delivering to fans the most extensive multichannel production for a soccer event in the United States” with their broadcast plans.
All totaled there will be five viewing options for Real Madrid-Barcelona, all airing on ESPN+ in addition to an ESPN2 special on El Clásico at 12:30 p.m. ET and pregame coverage starting at 2:00 p.m. ET.
– English language telecast with Ian Darke and Steve McManaman.
– Spanish language telecast with Fernando Palomo and Eduardo Biscayart (and an ESPN Deportes simulcast)
– ESPN FC broadcast watchalong with Dan Thomas, Alejandro Moreno, and Craig Burley
– Spanish language watchalong with Mauricio Pedroza, Herculez Gomez, Alex Pareja, and Carolina de las Salas and special guests.
– Aerial Cam tactical view from above the pitch
Various soccer legends including Iker Casillas, Luis Garcia, Jürgen Klinsmann, Patrick Kluivert, Rafa Marquez, Hugo Sanchez, and Mario Suarez will all be featured throughout the variety of programming options for the broadcasts as well.
This will be the first El Clásico for newly signed Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé after moving over from PSG in the offseason. Barcelona will feature wonderkid and Euro 2024 winner Lamine Yamal on the other side as one of their new stars. The two sides are in their customary perch atop the La Liga standings with Barcelona in first on 27 points and Real Madrid in second on 24 points.
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