ABC to Broadcast El Clásico Match on October 25
The network will air the 265th official meeting between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid this October.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Soccer
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Would you choose to watch El Clásico on television over NFL football this Sunday?
The ABC network is set to broadcast the 265th official El Clásico match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid on October 25, 2026. The game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. ET from Camp Nou in Spain.
Why it matters
This broadcast marks a notable opportunity to reach a U.S. audience with high-profile international soccer. The match will compete for viewers against concurrent NFL Sunday afternoon games, which are expected to dominate overall ratings.
Last season's El Clásico reached approximately 1.3 million viewers, significantly higher than the 905,000 average for previous LaLiga matches like Barcelona vs Elche.
The players
FC Barcelona
This is a historic professional soccer club based in Barcelona, Spain, that competes in LaLiga.
Real Madrid
This is a globally recognized professional soccer club based in Madrid, Spain, known for its extensive record of domestic and international titles.
ABC
This is a major American commercial broadcast television network owned by the Walt Disney Company.
ESPN
This is a multinational basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and Hearst Communications.
The details
ESPN will produce on-site coverage from Spain for the broadcast, which includes a one-hour pre-match show before the 4 p.m. ET kickoff. This event represents the 265th official competitive meeting between the two storied clubs.
Timeline
October 25, 2026: The El Clásico match airs on ABC at 4 p.m. ET.
Season Trajectory
Comparing viewership for this broadcast against the 1.3 million viewers for last season's El Clásico will reveal the growth potential of top-tier European soccer within the U.S. market. Success here provides a roadmap for future efforts to capture American audiences during the NFL season.
U.S. viewers can access this high-profile match on free-to-air broadcast television rather than needing a specific sports subscription. Those tracking viewership trends can monitor how the match's audience numbers compare to the NFL slate airing at the same time.
The takeaway
Soccer fans looking to watch this historic rivalry on broadcast television should note the 4 p.m. ET start time. Following the event provides a clear look at how international soccer performs when scheduled directly against domestic football programming.
Further reading
For more information on the latest matches and league updates, explore our Soccer section.
Live Poll
Would you choose to watch El Clásico on television over NFL football this Sunday?
