ESPN media platforms will combine to provide English and Spanish-language coverage of the 2025-26 LALIGA season, beginning with the opening weekend starting on Friday, August 15, with two matches - Girona-Rayo Vallecano at 1 p.m. ET, and Villarreal-Real Oviedo at 3:30 p.m. The opening day matches will stream on ESPN+ in English and Spanish, and air on ESPN Deportes.
LALIGA on TWDC Platforms scores its best audience in the 2024-25 season
LALIGA delivered its most successful season across ESPN platforms with 5.4 billion minutes viewed across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu in the 2024-25 season, making it the most-watched season for LALIGA in the United States. The upcoming 2025-26 season will mark the start of the second half of ESPN's eight-year agreement as the exclusive home of LALIGA in the United States.
In addition, by the end of year four of the eight-year LALIGA on ESPN agreement in the 2024-25 season, the cumulative audience across the TWDC platforms grew by 164 percent compared to the first season of the relationship in 2021-22. In the same period from the 2021-22 to 2024-25 seasons, the cumulative audience on TWDC digital platforms increased by 36 percent.
2025-26 SEASON OPENING WEEKEND
ESPN's expansive coverage of the 10 opening week matches will stream live on ESPN+ in English and Spanish, simulcast in Spanish on ESPN Deportes. ESPN2 will carry two opening weekend matches: RCD Mallorca vs. FC Barcelona (Saturday, Aug. 16 at 1:30 p.m. ET), and Sunday's RCD Espanyol vs. Atletico de Madrid at 3:30 p.m. Disney+ will livestream Mallorca-Barcelona, and Real Madrid vs. CA Osasuna (Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 3 p.m.).
Commentators:
Opening Weekend Special Content:
LALIGA opening weekend schedule:
*Subject to change
2025-26 LALIGA SEASON ON ESPN
ESPN+ is the exclusive English- and Spanish-language home for all 380 LALIGA matches in English and Spanish. The Walt Disney Company media platforms - ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, Disney+, and Hulu - will also carry select matches as simulcasts of ESPN+ presentation. Beyond live games, ESPN will provide comprehensive news and information coverage of the league through its unmatched array of linear, digital, and social media platforms. Highlights:
ESPN FC
Throughout the season, ESPN FC will provide the latest LALIGA news and analysis from hosts Dan Thomas, Kay Murray, and Alexis Nunes. Luis Garcia, Steve McManaman, and Mario Suarez will be part of the analyst team, along with ESPN FC regulars Craig Burley, Alejandro Moreno, Kasey Keller, Shaka Hislop, and Steve Nicol, among others. In addition, reporters Sid Lowe, Alex Kirkland, Adrian Healey, and Gemma Soler will be regular contributors.
Digital Coverage
Spain-based reporters - Alex Kirkland, Sam Marsden, Moises Llorens, Rodrigo Faez, Lluis Bou, Javier Rodriguez "Rodra," Graham Hunter, and Sid Lowe - will headline ESPN.com/Soccer daily news and feature coverage, with weekend match reaction (digital or video) and regular topical content. Early-season coverage includes:
ESPN Deportes
In addition to its live match telecasts, ESPN Deportes will provide news and information coverage of LALIGA's 95th season through the network's signature shows such as SportsCenter, Ahora o Nunca, Equipo F, Generacion F, Enfocados, and Ftbol Picante.
ESPN Deportes.com
ESPNdeportes.com's Rodra and Lluis will serve as Spanish-language reporters covering Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively. Content includes live game video alerts, final match highlights, player/coaches' interviews and press conferences, weekly videos of best goals and saves, original content videos from the show "LALIGA al Dia" and on-going YouTube segments, exclusive reports from reporters on site and clips from regularly scheduled TV shows.
ESPN Deportes YouTube:
Entering its fifth season, LALIGA al Dia returns twice weekly, now also airing on ESPN Deportes linear TV. A new Weekend Edition will stream live after every Real Madrid and Barcelona match. Additional highlights include four on-site YouTube shows for each Clasico, and new city-based activations in the U.S. for select matches in collaboration with LALIGA. The channel will also feature in progress game video alerts, final match highlights, players and coaches' interviews, and press conferences.
ESPN Social
Throughout the season, ESPNFC will deliver top moments, breaking updates, exclusive interviews, custom visuals, storytelling, social first video executions across Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. Fans can also expect behind-the-scenes access during major matchdays - including El Clasico - through Instagram takeovers and other original content.
LALIGA on ESPN Marketing
Building on its season-long LALIGA on ESPN on- and off-channel promotional support for the 2024-25 season, the award-winning ESPN Marketing returns with a campaign that highlights the surging global popularity of LALIGA players and teams. Featuring bold visuals, animation, and bilingual wordplay, the creative aligns with ESPN's new brand identity and the vibrant spirit of LALIGA. The teaser debuted August 4. Players set to feature in recurring vignettes throughout the season include Kylian Mbappe, Vini Jr. (Real Madrid), Lamine Yamal, Pedri (FC Barcelona), Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez (Atletico de Madrid), and Nico Williams (Athletic Club).
The campaign is set to the exclusive bilingual track "Uuu" by J Balvin and Stormzy, capturing the global the cross-cultural energy of LALIGA on ESPN. Watch.
All of ESPN. All in One Place. Coming August 21.
For the first time ever, ESPN will offer its full suite of networks and services directly to fans, along with an enhanced ESPN App that integrates game stats, betting information, fantasy sports, commerce, multiview options and a personalized SportsCenter For You. Designed to give fans more choice, flexibility and access to all of ESPN, these new features and functionality will be available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices, whether they subscribe directly or through a traditional pay TV package. For more visit the ESPN DTC Press Kit.
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Source: ESPN
