La Liga plans record-breaking broadcast for Barcelona-Real Madrid clasico

La Liga is preparing its most extensive television production yet for Sunday’s clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou, with up to 38 cameras set to cover the match and the possibility of increasing that number to 39.

The fixture could attract more than 650 million viewers worldwide, according to Spanish newspaper Sport, as La Liga seeks to offer a more detailed viewing experience for one of football’s biggest matches.

The cameras will be positioned throughout the stadium to capture the action from a wide range of perspectives. The planned operation goes well beyond the usual 25 or 26 cameras used for Barcelona and Real Madrid fixtures.

Coverage will include goal and goal-line cameras, as well as cameras placed around the substitutes’ benches and in the stadium tunnels. High-speed cameras will also be used to provide replays from multiple angles.

The expanded approach follows controversy over several refereeing decisions during Real Madrid’s match against Sevilla. According to the report, television footage did not provide a decisive angle for an incident involving Arda Guler and Beki, highlighting the importance of having additional viewpoints during major fixtures.

The broadcast will also feature technologies being used in a clasico for the first time. A connected ball is expected to provide additional live data during the match, while Ref Cam will give viewers footage from the referee’s perspective.

La Liga expects the match to reach more than 650 million potential viewers internationally. Representatives of 28 television broadcasters from international markets are also due to travel to Barcelona to produce special content around the game.

The international television signal will be distributed through global platforms including Disney, DAZN and Canal+.

The pre-match programme is scheduled to begin 90 minutes before kick-off. It will feature the teams’ arrival at the stadium, behind-the-scenes footage from the dressing rooms and the warm-up periods, giving viewers extended coverage of the build-up before the match begins.

La Liga said the clasico’s reach increased by 51% over the past two seasons compared with the previous four seasons, according to Sport. The figure reflects the growing international audience for the meeting between the two long-standing rivals.