What's Happening?
The first leg of the 2025-26 Copa del Rey semifinals is set to begin this week, with matches available on the ESPN App. Athletic Club will face Real Sociedad on Wednesday, while Barcelona will play against Atlético Madrid on Thursday at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Athletic Club, the 2024 champions, will compete against Real Sociedad, who are seeking their first Copa del Rey title since 2020. Atlético Madrid aims to reach their first final since their 2013 victory, while Barcelona, the most successful club in the competition's history with 32 titles, will look to add another trophy to their collection. Fans can access the matches through the ESPN App and the Spanish Copa del Rey streaming hub.
Why It's Important?
The broadcasting of the Copa del Rey semifinals
on ESPN is significant for soccer fans in the U.S., providing them with access to high-profile European soccer matches. This move enhances ESPN's sports content offering, potentially increasing its viewership and subscriber base. For soccer enthusiasts, it offers an opportunity to watch top-tier teams and players in action, fostering greater interest in international soccer. The availability of these matches on a major platform like ESPN also underscores the growing popularity and market for European soccer in the U.S., which could lead to more broadcasting deals and increased investment in soccer-related content.
