How to Watch Barcelona vs. Real Madrid on DIRECTV: El Clásico on ABC for the First Time
FC Barcelona hosts Real Madrid in LALIGA's El Clásico on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT). For the first time, the rivalry airs on ABC in the U.S., so DIRECTV customers can watch on their local ABC station. A one-hour pre-match show starts at 3 p.m. ET on ABC. Here's how to watch, as of October 21, 2026.
El Clásico at a glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, October 25, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. PT |
| Pre-match show | 3 p.m. ET on ABC |
| English TV | ABC (your local ABC station on DIRECTV) |
| Spanish TV | ESPN Deportes (DIRECTV channel 466) |
| Streaming | ESPN+ (English and Spanish); ESPN app with ESPN Unlimited |
| Competition | LALIGA; the 265th official Clásico |
Is El Clásico on DIRECTV?
Yes. ABC has the English broadcast, so it's on your local ABC affiliate in your DIRECTV lineup. In Spanish, ESPN Deportes carries it on DIRECTV channel 466. ESPN+ also streams it in both languages, and ESPN Unlimited subscribers can watch in the ESPN app.
Why this Clásico is different
ESPN says this is the first time Barcelona vs. Real Madrid has aired on ABC in the U.S. It is also the 265th official Clásico. ESPN is putting at least 20 LALIGA matches on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 this season, while all 380 matches stay on ESPN+.
Players to watch
ESPN lists Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Raphinha for Barcelona, and Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior for Real Madrid, as the headline names. Lineups are confirmed about an hour before kickoff.
Frequently asked questions
What time is El Clásico?
Kickoff is 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT) on Sunday, October 25, 2026, with a pre-match show at 3 p.m. ET.
What channel is Barcelona vs. Real Madrid on?
ABC in English and ESPN Deportes in Spanish. ESPN+ streams it in both languages.
Can I watch El Clásico on DIRECTV?
Yes, on your local ABC station, or on ESPN Deportes (channel 466) in Spanish.
Is this the first Clásico on ABC?
Yes. ESPN says the October 25 match is the first time El Clásico has aired on ABC in the U.S.
Questions about your DIRECTV package? Call 1-855-690-9884 to check options at your address.
Details reviewed October 21, 2026 from ESPN's September 17, 2026 press release on ABC's El Clásico broadcast and live AmericanTV.com channel guides. Start times, broadcast assignments, prices and package contents can change and vary by account, device and address. Team, league, network and service names, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.