Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over FC Barcelona in the latest ‘El Clásico’ didn’t only give Los Blancos a five point cushion over their rivals atop the LALIGA EA Sports table, it represented a record-breaking weekend for LALIGA in the U.S.
The match was the most-watched LALIGA ‘El Clásico’ with 1.13 million combined viewers (English only) in the U.S., according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel – up 2% from the previous high of 1.11 million for the clubs’ last meeting in May.
Audiences didn’t just tune into ‘El Clásico’ from home, they also showed out in droves at watch parties and events hosted by LALIGA in Dallas and Houston.
Welcoming more than 4,500 passionate fans with the support of ESPN and activating regional corporate partners, LALIGA scored its largest and most successful weekend in the U.S.
“This past weekend’s success wasn’t only because of the exciting match on the field at the Santiago Bernabéu, it was also a result of the long-term commitment by LALIGA throughout North America in support of our corporate and broadcast partners to bring the excitement of LALIGA and ‘El Clásico’ closer to fans in the U.S. than ever before,” said Nicolás García Hemme, LALIGA North America Managing Director.
The “El Clásico Fan Experience presented by Walmart and LALIGA” welcomed more than 3,100 fans to a sold-out Stampede Houston to set a new attendance mark for a LALIGA event in the U.S.
Not only was it the first event of the multi-year regional partnership with Walmart announced in September, ESPN’s Sebastian Salazar and Jose Del Valle were on-site to host live segments, including interviews with Iker Casillas and Rivaldo.
Eslabón Armado, the first regional Mexican music group to enter Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart, kept the party going with a performance after the final whistle.
Less than 300 miles north in Dallas, LALIGA welcomed a sold-out crowd of 1,500 fans throughout the weekend for three days of activities including “Pick Up Fútbol by Remitly” on Friday, an appearance by LALIGA Legend Edmílson at a local Verizon store on Saturday, and at the “ElPartidazo presented by Lowe’s” watch party at Backyard Dallas on Sunday.
LALIGA also supported the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s event over the weekend that provided new sneakers to 200 youth players in the city.
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