Marvel's Vision Joins the Build-Up to El Clásico on ABC

ESPN is using Marvel's Vision to promote its first broadcast-network showing of El Clásico, the soccer rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid. The match airs on ABC on Sunday, October 25, 2026, starting at 4 p.m. Eastern, according to Variety.

ABC is a broadcast channel, so viewers can pick it up over the air or through a standard cable package. ESPN's matches usually sit on its own cable channels, which is why this move gets attention. ESPN said in its press release that the game is the 265th El Clásico.

The marketing tie-up uses Paul Bettany, the actor who has played Vision in Marvel films. He voices a 30-second promo for the collaboration. A custom version of the promo is set to run during pre-game coverage on Sunday, in both the English-language and Spanish-language broadcasts.

Fans will see more Vision material ahead of kickoff. ESPN FC released a motion poster on Instagram and TikTok Stories, and ESPN Deportes posted one on Instagram Story. A soccer-focused question-and-answer session with Bettany was shared across ESPN FC's social accounts. ESPN FC's X and Facebook accounts will also post the pre-game vignette before the match.

The broadcast itself opens with a live, one-hour pre-game show from 3 p.m. Eastern, according to ESPN. The game is played at Camp Nou, Barcelona's home stadium. ESPN also enlisted creators Devin Caherly and Dylan Acanfora to make content from Barcelona for the match.

Viewers who prefer streaming can also watch on ESPN+, ESPN Deportes and the ESPN App. Variety reported that Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior are expected to play.

For viewers, the practical point is simple. The rivalry that is usually shown on ESPN's own channels will reach ABC for the first time, with a Spanish-language option and streaming alongside it. The clock starts at 4 p.m. Eastern on Sunday.