Finding El Clásico this fall will be as easy as ABC.
For the first time in the network’s history, broadcast channel ABC will air the Oct. 25 Clásico match between Spanish rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona, USA TODAY Sports can reveal.
The network also is planning a one-hour preview show that also will air on ABC.
The move comes as ESPN, which shares ownership with ABC, works to grow La Liga’s presence not only on ABC but across all of its linear TV channels. All league matches are available on the ESPN+ streaming service, but at least 20 games will be broadcast across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 this season.
Both Real Madrid and Barcelona already have featured on ABC this season, with each club’s season opener airing on the network.
In addition to the ABC
telecast, the match also will be on ESPN+ in English and Spanish with ESPN Deportes also airing the contest in Spanish.
Madrid and Barcelona have dominated the Spanish top division in recent years. Just four times since the 2000-01 season has a different team won the league, and while four other Spanish clubs have multiple league titles, Real Madrid can boast of 36 while Barcelona earned its 29th last season.
They also have the biggest star power in Spain, with recent World Cup winners Rodri, Lamine Yamal and Pedri suiting up for Barcelona while World Cup top scorer Kylian Mbappe, England star Jude Bellingham and Brazilian attacker Vinicius Jr are among the Real Madrid stars coached by Jose Mourinho.
Already the rivals profile as the most likely title candidates. Barcelona is the last remaining team without a loss having won each of its first six matches while Real Madrid sits three points behind in second with five wins and a loss to Real Betis in its opening contests.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ABC to air El Clasico between FC Barcelona & Real Madrid in broadcast first
