Real Madrid’s 2–1 victory over Barcelona added to the excitement at the El Clásico watch party organised by StarTimes Nigeria in partnership with Meridianbet at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Sunday, as football fans gathered for an evening of live action, entertainment, fan engagement and prize giveaways.
Held at King Jaja Hall, the event brought together supporters of both Spanish giants to watch the first El Clásico of the 2026/27 season in a lively, shared atmosphere. Fans also participated in activities and won prizes, making the occasion about more than the action on the pitch.
Real Madrid supporters had the final bragging rights as Kylian Mbappé scored twice to secure the victory. The French forward opened the scoring in the 41st minute before Barcelona captain Raphinha equalised in the 61st. Mbappé struck again in the 87th minute to seal all three points for Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou.
The result gave Madrid an important advantage in the early LaLiga title race and provided plenty of talking points among fans at UNILAG, where rival supporters debated the key moments and relived the action after the final whistle.
For StarTimes and Meridianbet, the watch party was an opportunity to connect with football audiences beyond the television screen, combining live match viewing with an engaging fan experience. The initiative reflects the appeal of shared football experiences, particularly among young Nigerians who follow major European competitions.
Speaking after the event, Oke Umurhohwo, Marketing Director, StarTimes Nigeria, said the watch party reflected the company’s commitment to bringing football closer to its audience.
“El Clásico is one of football’s biggest occasions, and we wanted fans to experience the excitement together, not just watch the match. It was great to see supporters turn out, participate in the activities and win prizes. We thank everyone who joined us at UNILAG and our partners at Meridianbet for helping make the experience possible,” he said.
Speaking on Meridianbet’s involvement, Margaret Otaru, Marketing Manager, Meridianbet Nigeria, said the partnership reflected the brand’s commitment to creating rewarding experiences and meaningful connections with football fans.
“At Meridianbet, we believe the excitement of sports goes beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch. It is about the passion, friendly rivalries, shared celebrations and memories that bring fans together.
“Our partnership with StarTimes for the El Clásico watch party reflects our commitment to taking that excitement beyond the screen and giving fans more reasons to engage with the sports they love. This is what our brand philosophy, ‘More to Play For,’ represents: creating experiences that combine entertainment, community, rewards and memorable moments. As we continue to grow in Nigeria, these connections will remain central to what we do,” she said.
The event forms part of StarTimes’ broader effort to deepen fan engagement by pairing live sports broadcasts with experiences that bring communities of supporters together.
Fans who could not attend the watch party were also able to follow the match on StarTimes Sports Premium, with streaming available through the StarTimes ON app.