The Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund on October 31 at 18:30 (17:30 UTC) will feature a global broadcasting first: a live, fully virtual transmission rendered in the aesthetic of Playmobil figures. While the traditional broadcast will air on Sky Sport Bundesliga, the virtual alternative—titled “Sky Sport Spezial – Next Level”—will be available on both Sky Sport and RTL+, with a pre-game show beginning at 18:00, as reported by BILD.
Real-time skeletal tracking powers the virtual broadcast
The virtual broadcast relies on “skeleton data” technology, which the Bundesliga has implemented for all players since the 2025/26 season. This system tracks 21 specific data points on each player, including the head, shoulders, hips, and limb joints. These 3D skeletal coordinates, which also serve as the foundation for the league’s semi-automated offside detection system, are mapped in real-time to the Playmobil character models.
This allows the digital figures to mirror the exact movements, sprints, and tackles of the real-world players on the pitch. While the visual style is stylized to resemble the iconic toy brand, the underlying movement data remains authentic to the match events occurring on the pitch.
A world first in professional football: The Bundesliga clash between Bayern and Borussia Dortmund on October 31 will be broadcast live for the first time in a completely virtual toy world. The actual positions and movements of all players and the ball will be shown live in the… pic.twitter.com/qoYVPY9r6Y
Sky and RTL+ offer different broadcast options
Fans have two distinct ways to follow the Klassiker. The traditional broadcast on Sky Sport Bundesliga begins at 17:30, featuring moderator Sebastian Hellmann and expert Lothar Matthäus. The virtual “Next Level” broadcast on Sky Sport and RTL+ provides a separate viewing experience, with its own pre-game coverage starting at 18:00. The broadcaster Toggo will also air the pre-match build-up on free-to-air television.
Historical context of the Bayern-Dortmund rivalry
The upcoming match marks a significant point in the recent history of the fixture. Borussia Dortmund enters the game looking to break a five-match winless streak against Bayern Munich, a run that includes two draws and three losses. The last time Dortmund secured a victory against Bayern in Munich was in March 2024, when they recorded a 2:0 win.
Worth a look
