Global media interest: Der Klassiker between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern München is produced to the highest production standards

29 November 2024 – On Matchday 12 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season, football fans from all over the world will be looking to Dortmund for Der Klassiker. FC Bayern München, who are still unbeaten, will travel to Borussia Dortmund, who have yet to concede a point at home this season. The clash on Saturday evening at Signal Iduna Park once again promises to be a thrilling exchange of blows.

Worldwide media interest

The 109th Bundesliga clash between the two clubs is highly anticipated worldwide. This is also reflected in the global media interest: The match will be broadcast in more than 200 FIFA member countries. In addition to the national media partners, numerous international TV stations will also be live at Signal Iduna Park with their own teams to bring the fans in their respective countries closer to the pitch. Among others, ESPN (USA), ESPN Deportes (USA/South America), Sky Mexico, beIn Sports France, Canal+ (Sub-Saharan Africa), beIN Sports Middle East (Arabic and English), Canal Goat (Brazil), Viaplay (Poland & Netherlands), Migu (China) and DAZN Belgium will be reporting from the stadium with live broadcasts, commentary in each local broadcasting language and interviews with players and experts before and after the match.

Production concept with 30 cameras

The millions of fans in front of their screens in Germany and around the world can look forward to being able to view even more perspectives than usual. A total of 30 cameras will be used. In addition to the “Top Match Plus” camera concept with 26 individual cameras including a free-flying drone and the bird’s eye view of an “Aerial Camera System”, this Der Klassiker will be produced with four additional special cameras. The image captured wirelessly with a “Cinestyle” handheld camera in 16:9 widescreen format enriches the live broadcast with shots of the fan curves and the emotions in the stadium. In addition, a “Polecam Highspeed”, which is attached to a four-meter-long swivel arm, enables extreme slow motion and covers the entire goal, including the perspective through the goal net. The BVB team bus is accompanied by a camera and captures the club’s journey through the black and yellow crowd to the stadium. The footage is played back in the so-called World Feed. With the “RefCam”, the game is recorded from the referee’s perspective. The best impressions from this camera angle will be shown in a highlight clip. Live player interviews are planned on the pitch around the centre circle immediately after the end of the match.

Tactical Feed enhances viewer experience

The international media partners can also use content from the DFL’s International Product Portfolio (IPP) – these offerings produced by DFL Digital Sports include the entire match with English-language commentary, interviews and highlights clips. Dan O’Hagan and Steffen Freund will be the commentators for the international live production in the World Feed.

The Tactical Feed will also be available on Sky and numerous international media partners. Here, the main camera image always keeps all 20 field players in view, while relevant information and graphics are repeatedly displayed at the edge of the screen depending on the situation. This includes the Bundesliga Match Facts, implemented together with Amazon Web Services (AWS), with the real formations of both teams, tactical data on the teams and individual information on the players.

Watch parties in various time zones around the world

Der Klassiker will be accompanied worldwide by the global campaign “Bring the Noise”. This includes digital content on the Bundesliga channels as well as spots on TV and out-of-home spaces. There will also be live events, which will be implemented with the support of both clubs, their international fan clubs and local media partners. There will be numerous watch parties on match day, including in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Indonesia, South Korea, China and Australia. Bundesliga and club legends, including Lothar Matthäus, Jürgen Klinsmann, Zé Roberto and Roman Weidenfeller, will also be involved in the DFL’s global activities surrounding the Der Klassiker.