Real Madrid has spent generations pairing superstar talent with sky-high expectations, and the club’s latest chapter brings a familiar figure back to the Bernabéu. José Mourinho is back for a second spell with a squad led by Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Vinícius Júnior.
That star power and European pedigree make Madrid appointment viewing in the U.S., but the broadcast setup changes by competition. ESPN platforms carry La Liga matches, while CBS Sports holds the English-language rights to the UEFA Champions League.
Below, you’ll find everything you need to watch Real Madrid in the U.S. That includes upcoming kickoff times, TV and streaming details, and our recommended services for following Los Blancos throughout the season.
What channel is Real Madrid on in the U.S.?
Real Madrid’s U.S. broadcast home depends on the competition. For La Liga, ESPN+ is the one constant: It streams every league match with English- and Spanish-language commentary. Bigger fixtures can also land on national TV channels like ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2.
Champions League matches require a switch to Paramount+. The service streams every game in English, while CBS and other CBS Sports channels carry select games.
Upcoming Real Madrid TV schedule
Real Madrid’s calendar is defined by heavyweight dates at home and abroad. El Clásico and the Madrid derby headline La Liga, while Champions League matchweeks add another set of high-stakes fixtures throughout the season.
Use the TV schedule below to track where to watch Real Madrid. We’ll keep the table fresh with upcoming opponents, kickoff times, and U.S. TV channels as the season progresses.
La Liga - Madrid Schedule
| Opponent | Competition | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
At Real Betis | La Liga | Friday, Sept. 4 | 3:00 p.m. | |
Internazionale | Champions League | Tuesday, Sept. 8 | 3:00 p.m. | |
Rayo Vallecano | La Liga | Saturday, Sept. 12 | 3:00 p.m. | |
At Elche | La Liga | Tuesday, Sept. 15 | 3:30 p.m. | |
At Atlético Madrid | La Liga | Sunday, Sept. 20 | 10:15 a.m. | |
Villarreal | La Liga | Sunday, Oct. 11 | TBD | |
At AS Roma | Champions League | Wednesday, Oct. 14 | 3:00 p.m. | |
Sevilla | La Liga | Sunday, Oct. 18 | TBD | |
RB Leipzig | Champions League | Wednesday, Oct. 21 | 3:00 p.m. | |
At Barcelona | La Liga | Sunday, Oct. 25 | TBD | |
At Racing Santander | La Liga | Sunday, Nov. 1 | TBD | |
At AEK Athens | Champions League | Wednesday, Nov. 4 | 12:45 p.m. | |
At Valencia | La Liga | Sunday, Nov. 8 | TBD | |
Celta Vigo | La Liga | Sunday, Nov. 22 | TBD | |
PSV Eindhoven | Champions League | Tuesday, Nov. 24 | 3:00 p.m. | |
Alavés | La Liga | Sunday, Nov. 29 | TBD |
Best TV plans for watching Real Madrid
You don’t need a massive TV package to follow most of Real Madrid’s season. ESPN Select covers the week-to-week La Liga schedule through ESPN+, including El Clásico and every Madrid derby. Fans who also want ESPN’s traditional channels and wider sports lineup can upgrade to the ESPN Unlimited plan.
For Madrid’s Champions League campaign, Paramount+ is the other important subscription. Every UCL match streams there in English, so pairing Paramount+ with ESPN Select gives you the two primary homes for Madrid’s domestic league and European matches for under $25 per month.
Best Overall
ESPN Select ($12.99/mo.) gives Madrid fans every La Liga match through ESPN+. If you already subscribe to a live TV provider, check whether your package includes the higher-tier ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost.
Best for Champions League
Paramount+ ($8.99–$13.99/mo.) is Madrid’s English-language streaming home for the Champions League. The Essential plan includes the same UCL match access as Premium, making it the better value if European soccer is your main reason for subscribing.
What is RM Play?
RM Play is Real Madrid’s official video platform and is available worldwide. Most of its content is free with a Madridista account, while Madridista Premium costs €35 per year (about $40.54 USD) and unlocks additional content such as full matches and selected documentaries. RM Play also features highlights, interviews, original programming, and a live Real Madrid TV feed.
RM Play doesn’t stream live first-team matches from official competitions, and availability can vary by country because of local broadcast restrictions. Real Madrid TV can carry select friendlies, but that makes RM Play more of a complementary service rather than a replacement for ESPN or Paramount+.
How to watch Real Madrid FAQ
Can I watch Real Madrid matches for free?
Sometimes. When a Real Madrid La Liga match airs on ABC, you can watch it for free with an over-the-air antenna where the local affiliate is available. CBS Sports Golazo Network can also carry select Champions League matches for free.
Does every Real Madrid match stream on the ESPN app?
No. The ESPN app covers Madrid's entire La Liga campaign through ESPN+, but you'll need Paramount+ for the club's English-language Champions League streams.
Can I watch El Clásico on ESPN+?
Yes. Both La Liga meetings between Real Madrid and Barcelona stream on ESPN+ in English and Spanish. Depending on the broadcast schedule, El Clásico may also air on one of ESPN's linear networks or ABC.
Are Real Madrid matches available in Spanish?
Yes. ESPN+ carries every Real Madrid La Liga match in Spanish. Champions League coverage is less centralized, with Spanish-language matches divided between TelevisaUnivision platforms and DAZN.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, reviewed Real Madrid’s official fixture list and current U.S. broadcast agreements for La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. Taylor compared TV and streaming services based on match availability, pricing, and ease of use. He also cross-checked his recommendations against CableTV.com’s broader sports and provider research.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
