When Barcelona take on Real Madrid this weekend, it will be one of the most watched games across the world.
The iconic fixture always seems to produce scintillating football with an added bonus of drama due to the fierce rivalry between the two Spanish giants.
And for UK football fans, it's an even more special occasion since Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham has taken La Liga by storm.
Following in the footsteps of fellow British greats such as David Beckham and Steve McManaman, fans would have been hoping to catch a glimpse of the former Birmingham City player in Madrid white.
But, due to a long-standing British law regarding broadcasting rights, Spain's most famous fixture won't be aired in the UK.
Put in place since the 1960s, the UK's 3pm TV blackout rule states that no football can be broadcast live between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on a Saturday.
And since El Clasico will kick off at 3.30pm in UK time on that day, it cannot be aired.
Despite many feeling that this law should not be applied to foreign games, it was established to encourage people to attend stadiums.
Xavi's side were also given an earlier kick off against Madrid as they travel to Shaktar Donetsk the next Tuesday for a 5.45pm Champions League game.
Bellingham has played against Barcelona before in a pre-season friendly in Texas where they were beaten 3-0 by their arch rivals, but this will be his first time playing Barcelona in La Liga.
Although the match won't be aired on British TV, you can follow Mail Sport's social channels and live blog on the day to keep up with all the action.
camatk
0
Why is it that premiere league game can watch from 2:30 &5:15 and today you said el clssico would not kick off at 5:15 why why
It is only applied in UK so that many people can go to the stadiums.
Jihbkmnpt
0
then we have Francis nganou vs Tyson fury. what a day for me child after colleting my driven license. good luck to my beloved MADRID team 🥰❤️
Witailrtuz
1
but why is that so?¿
real Madrid
poteiklm
0
Why is it that premiere league game can watch from 2:30 &5:15 and today you said el clssico would not kick off at 5:15 why why
XluciferX
1
but why is that so?¿
Raneikmpu
1
No live matches are aired between 2:45 to 5:15 pm in uk so as to encourage people to go watch the matches live You can only stream those matches from illegal sites maybe on phone or tablet but all the tv stations in uk don’t stream matches within that time frame on a Saturday
bro only in the UK, not worldwide.probably because you are not in the UK that's why you're having it broadcast at your Angle and not in the UK 🙏
Pusacdioru
1
modra
rucbdest
5
No live matches are aired between 2:45 to 5:15 pm in uk so as to encourage people to go watch the matches live You can only stream those matches from illegal sites maybe on phone or tablet but all the tv stations in uk don’t stream matches within that time frame on a Saturday
Strangerthings
0
UK fans after hearing news be like 🤣
[image]
Lol they have phones
footballloveronly
6
UK fans after hearing news be like 🤣
Gannymalta
1
Manchester derby, El classico.... this weekend is a football party time!
Demay6
2
Can you please give a detailed explanation of this statement in the article “Put in place since the 1960s, the UK's 3pm TV blackout rule states that no football can be broadcast live between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on a Saturday.” The premier league is aired during this period on a Saturday. I don’t understand.