ESPN+, Bundesliga Team Up To Host Virtual Der Klassiker Watch Party for U.S. Fans
Zoom-based hangout will offer companion experience to live stream of Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich
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The biggest matchup in German soccer is slated for this weekend: Bayern Munich visits arch-rival Borussia Dortmund in what is dubbed Der Klassiker. In the U.S., the match will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+ (Saturday, 12:15 p.m. ET), and, as part of the celebration of the marquee showdown, ESPN is partnering with Bundesliga on a virtual watch party to serve as a companion viewing experience to the live match.
ESPN is inviting U.S. fans of German soccer to sign up for a special Zoom Meeting Room that will be hosted live during the match. Fans will be able to watch together, hosted by ESPN soccer commentator Mauricio Pedroza. The Zoom meeting will feature a halftime show, a postgame show, and live interviews with Bundesliga legends Patrick Owomoyela (Borussia Dortmund) and Roy Makaay (Bayern Munich).
On Saturday, ESPN+ will offer exclusive U.S. coverage of the German soccer matchup between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
“Bringing fans together virtually for Der Klassiker is just the latest example of how we’re engaging with fans in new and innovative ways,” ESPN+ EVP/GM Russell Wolff said in a release this week. “Together with Bundesliga, we’re able to enhance the live match on ESPN+ with a companion viewing platform that gives fans exclusive access to experience the match with not only each other but also their favorite clubs.”
Fans in the U.S. who would like to participate can register for free to receive the Zoom link to the watch party.
“Our passionate fans are part of the Bundesliga’s DNA,” said Arne Rees, EVP, Strategy, Bundesliga International, in the release. “Although we can’t gather together in the same place, we still want fans to feel united when supporting their team. It is great to be working with ESPN+ to bring Dortmund and Bayern fans in the U.S. together for one of the biggest matches in world football, and this virtual fan watch party is sure to be a lot of fun.”
Saturday’s match marks the first time that Der Klassiker has appeared on an ESPN platform. ESPN+ will offer a live stream of the match in both English and Spanish. ESPN will also offer its own original commentators: Derek Rae and Taylor Twellman on the English-language commentary, Fernando Palomo and Mario Kempes in Spanish. ESPN FC will also stream a 30-minute pregame show and a one-hour postgame exclusively on ESPN+.
