A few weeks ago, I had one of the most interesting experiences since starting my master’s in Sports Communication and Journalism, visiting COPE Radio to watch a live recording of their famous sports show, Tiempo de Juego.

It was my first time ever attending a live radio program, and honestly, it turned out to be even more fascinating than I expected.

When we arrived at COPE, we were welcomed by our professor Arancha Rodríguez, who gave us an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how one of Spain’s biggest football radio shows actually works. We got a full tour of the technical side, where the sound engineers control the microphones, manage live connections with journalists covering games from stadiums, and coordinate all the voices listeners hear during the broadcast. Watching how organized and fast-paced everything was made me realize just how much teamwork goes into something that sounds so effortless on air.

Before the show started, we met the journalists who host and animate Tiempo de Juego, and what surprised me the most was how calm and natural they were. They chatted, joked, and prepared for the program like a group of friends getting ready to watch a match, not like people about to go live on national radio.

The show we attended covered the Champions League game between FC Barcelona and Olympiacos, which was full of goals, the perfect match to witness live reactions. Every time a goal was scored, the studio lit up with energy. Everyone had a specific role: one handled the ads, another gave reactions after the goals, one covered updates from other games across Europe, and another kept the whole show flowing smoothly.

What stood out to me most was how authentic it all felt. They were working, yes, but they were also having fun, singing, laughing, and talking football in the most natural way possible. It felt like being in a living room full of friends who just happened to be broadcasting live to thousands of listeners.

That day gave me a new perspective on sports media, it showed me how much life, coordination, and passion exist behind the microphones. Seeing the balance between professionalism and pure love for the game made me appreciate radio in a whole new way.

It was definitely a day to remember, another chance for me to discover how the world of sports communication really works, from the inside.