Bayern and BVB to launch virtual toy broadcast on 31 Oct

On 31 October the Bundesliga Klassiker between FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund will be presented as an Optik Verrückte Weltpremiere, with the match streamed in a virtual toy world alongside the regular broadcast. The initiative, dubbed ‘Sky Sport Spezial – Next Level’, promises a fully digital rendition of the game.

Playmobil‑style virtual world

The virtual transmission will combine the captured motion data with a Playmobil‑style design, turning players into colourful toy figures that move on the pitch. Since the 2025/26 season the league has recorded skeleton data, capturing 21 data points per player, including head, shoulders, hips and limb joints. These points are already used for semi‑automatic off‑side detection and now enable the new visual experience. The three‑dimensional capture ensures that every nuance of a player's motion is translated into the virtual arena.

Real‑time movements of the digital figures will the action on the real grass, ensuring that runs, duels and ball trajectories are faithfully reproduced. Harry Kane, Manuel Neuer and Serhou Guirassy are among the first stars whose avatars will appear in the virtual arena, alongside their teammates. Because the data feed is live, the virtual match will progress in perfect sync with the real‑time clock, offering viewers an uninterrupted experience from the first whistle to the final blow.

The avatars will also display physical contests such as tackles and aerial duels, making the toy‑world representation as competitive as the live game. Fans will be able to watch the entire match duration in the virtual setting, with every pass and shot rendered instantly.

Broadcast schedule and presenters

The special format will be aired on Sky Sport under the title ‘Sky Sport Spezial – Next Level’ and will also be available on RTL+. A pre‑game show starts at 18:00, with additional lead‑in shown on Toggo free‑to‑air television. The regular Sky Sport Bundesliga coverage will commence at kick‑off, allowing fans to choose between the classic broadcast and the experimental version.

Alex observes that the experiment could set a precedent for future league presentations, offering a novel way to engage audiences beyond the usual Bundesliga fan base. By delivering the first worldwide full‑match virtual representation of a professional football league, the broadcast marks a milestone in sports entertainment. If successful, the format could be rolled out to other fixtures across the Bundesliga, signalling a new era of immersive football viewing.