Watching Michigan/MSU in Spain

Submitted by PeteM on

While I'm excited to be going to Spain for the 1st time, we'll be there from Oct. 25-Nov 3.  November 2 is the Michigan State game.  Does anyone know if there are sports bars in Madrid that might show the game -- or have online alternatives to suggest? Thanks.

somewittyname

July 7th, 2013 at 9:39 PM ^

El Pequeno Marron Jarra or Los Tiempos Buenos de Carlos. Anywhere but Ricardo's.

PeteM

July 7th, 2013 at 9:50 PM ^

Somewittyname -- I appreciate the suggestions.  When I googled those name I came back to this post (the dominant web presence of Mgoblog I suppose) -- I assume that they are both bars/sportbars in Madrid?

Perkis-Size Me

July 7th, 2013 at 10:04 PM ^

Good luck finding anywhere in Spain that will show college football games. I went on study abroad in the UK a few years ago and had trouble finding places that would show the Stanley Cup/NBA Finals. Can't imagine finding college football spots in Spain would be any easier.



Your best bet is to stream.

TheVictors

July 7th, 2013 at 10:31 PM ^

Agreed, you will be streaming the game if you want to see it live.  CFB is really hard to get most anywhere outside the US, actually.  Any ESPN Int'l channels will carry soccer, auto racing, rugby ....before CFB.

besides, going to Spain for the first time ever should be more important than the State game.

PeteM

July 7th, 2013 at 10:38 PM ^

Will probably just be checking on my phone whenever wifi is available while enjoying the museums and tapas bars, but thought I'd see if there are other options. Thanks for the advice and the inspiration to use google translate.

HKBlue

July 7th, 2013 at 10:44 PM ^

They might be having an event for a big game like MSU:

http://alumni.umich.edu/connect/international-contacts

If you need to get the stream, there is usually an ESPN stream for Europe that you can sign up for at cost which should not be too much for one game.

Also, you might find a bar that has Armed Forces Network since Torrejon airbase is not too far from Madrid and the game will likely be on one of the AFN stations.

Good luck!

  

ajhar

July 7th, 2013 at 11:31 PM ^

1. Stream it online. Guaranteed to work with wifi.

2. Check of Dubliner's in Sol. American bar that shows all the sports events. They should most likely play it on one of their TV's but I can't promise good quality/sound.

3. If you have a big enough group, a bar called Pecaditos will play it for you. Around 30 students abroad went there to watch all the NCAA games this year. They'll definitely put it on, you just need to give them a little incentive to do so.

michgoblue

July 8th, 2013 at 7:24 AM ^

After a dozen years of marriage, my wife has accepted that we will never travel from Labor Day until 2 weeks after thanksgiving, and during the week after New Years. Never books trips during the college football season, otherwise you run the risk of either missing the game or watching it in crappy conditions. .

umjgheitma

July 8th, 2013 at 8:59 AM ^

It's tought o say because even if they want to put it on they still need the channel. Also, know how to say it in Spanish, they'll know enough English to take your order but to ask for a football game might be stretching it. 

GoBlue2002

July 8th, 2013 at 9:09 AM ^

I've watched Michigan games all over Europe. Your best bet is to go into every Irish pub you see and ask them if they'll play it. Just make sure you know the US channel it's on. They all have satellite tv and ESPN.

VivaAzul

September 1st, 2013 at 8:20 AM ^

I'm actually trying to foment a bit of a Michigan fanbase here in Madrid. I spoke to the guys at Mad Dog's and they're willing to put the game on for us on a regular basis. 

The only thing is, sometimes the Michigan game might conflict with a Premier League or La Liga match. Since it is a British, rather than American bar, they do get a lot of Brits in wanting to watch soccer. But I figure if we can get enough Michigan fans in there we can provide a good-enough incentive to keep them from switching stations. If anyone's interested, drop a reply and I'll organize things with the bar.