When Real Madrid and Barcelona play, everyone wants to know the TV coverage plans. The two titans of European soccer have the most-storied rivalry on the continent, and perhaps the world.

This season, both clubs carry high expectations. Real Madrid won the league and the Champions League a season ago. On the other hand, Barcelona recruited unlike any club in the world to keep up with Los Blancos. Therefore, the first meeting of the campaign between Real Madrid and Barcelona is a keen one for coverage plans.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona coverage plans

Kickoff time: 10:15 a.m. ET / 7:15 a.m. PT – Sunday, Oct. 16
Watch now (in USA): Live on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes
Commentators: Ian Darke and Steve McManaman
US TV: Match is exclusive to ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes

The biggest takeaway from the coverage plans involving Real Madrid and Barcelona is that the game is only available on ESPN+. Now, ESPN Deportes is also an option for those interested in Spanish-language coverage. However, for the English broadcast in the United States, ESPN+ is the only location for the game.

ESPN did the same thing for El Clásico last season, the company’s first season with LaLiga. This is a move to drive subscriptions to ESPN+, rather than putting the game on the channel many people already have. However, as this is on the paid-streaming service, all buffer coverage on either side of the game is also available via ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes.

First El Clásico of the season

This meeting between Real Madrid and Barcelona comes of significance beyond just a derby clash. These two teams are the top of the LaLiga table by a fairly comfortable sum just eight games in. Tied at 22 points after eight games, each team has seven wins and a draw. The third place team, Athletic, is already five points behind these two.

This is the first chance Robert Lewandowski will have to play Real Madrid in the colors of Barcelona. Of course, he famously scored four against Los Blancos in the 2012/13 Champions League with Borussia Dortmund. However, in 2016/17 and 2017/18, Real Madrid eliminated the Polish International and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

It shapes up for an interesting contest, and one that is sure to have fireworks.

PHOTO: IMAGO / NurPhoto