Is football eating itself? Not before it eats other sports first June 25, 2026 The World Cup has become so big that it now puts all other sports in the shade, laments Ed Warner. I remember the summer of 1976 as a swathe of bleached playing fields, jumpers for goalposts and pick-up games of cricket. There happened to be an international football tournament that June, but I defy anyone [...]
Silverstone safe amid MotoGP calendar shake-up, chiefs insist June 25, 2026 MotoGP chiefs have insisted their Silverstone race is safe despite plans for a drastic shake-up to the motorsport’s calendar. After signing a major deal with the five manufacturers – akin to Formula 1’s governing Concorde Agreement – which formalises the commercial framework across the sport until 2031, MotoGP will now look to grow an organisation [...]
Brentford in talks to host Shakhtar Donetsk Champions League fixtures June 24, 2026 Brentford are among the clubs in talks to host Shakhtar Donetsk’s home fixtures in the Champions League next season. The Ukrainian club are prohibited by Uefa for safety reasons from staging their European games in the war-torn country and last season hosted teams in Krakow, Poland. But Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium has emerged as a [...]
Fifa World Cup brand value trebles to £4bn thanks to sponsorship and media rights June 24, 2026 The Fifa World Cup brand has grown in value to over $5bn after more than trebling in value in recent years, according to a new industry report. Consultancy Brand Finance estimates the World Cup brand is now worth $5.2bn (£4bn) – a 244 per cent increase on its value when the 2010 tournament was held [...]
England draw with Ghana worth £20m extra to British pubs June 24, 2026 England’s lacklustre 0-0 draw against Ghana may have lacked fizz but hospitality industry experts estimate it was worth an extra £20m in trade for Britain’s pubs. Thomas Tuchel’s men were held to a goalless 90 minutes in Boston on Tuesday but the late kick-off and blistering weather proved a boon to boozers up and down [...]
Tartan Army cancel flights as Scotland eye a piece of World Cup history June 24, 2026 Scottish football fans have cancelled flights home from the US as the Tartan Army dare to dream of reaching the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time. Others who had already returned home are flying out again ahead of tonight’s final Group C fixture, against Brazil, even if they don’t have match [...]
Manchester United debt pile may force owners to fund new stadium June 24, 2026 Doubts have emerged over Manchester United’s capacity to fund their £2bn-plus new stadium unless the owners inject cash. The club announced on Monday that they had secured the land required to build the 100,000-seater venue – dubbed a “Wembley of the North” – from Indurent, which lets industrial units. The 25-acre site is only 350m [...]
Advertising at World Cup: Levi’s genius, hydration breaks and dodging rules June 23, 2026 This World Cup, now well under way, has been dominated not only by the action on the pitch but how much brands are spending off it. An estimated $10bn is being splurged by some of the world’s most recognisable organisations on adverts and campaigns, while some firms are milking the World Cup for free advertising [...]
Episode 94: Northumberland Plate, Irish Derby and Marco Botti interview June 23, 2026 After a busy week at Royal Ascot, Tom Marriott and Bill Esdaile are straight back to it. Tom catches up with Marco Botti following Giavellotto’s victory in the Hardwicke Stakes, before looking ahead to a busy weekend’s action, featuring the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle and it’s supporting card, classic action across the weekend at the [...]
Circus can be a Star attraction in the Plate June 23, 2026 AFTER five days of Royal Ascot last week, you might be forgiven for needing a breather from racing, but as always in this game the next big meeting is here in a flash. This Saturday we look north for Newcastle’s headline Flat meeting of the year, which features the Northumberland Plate (3.15pm). This competitive staying [...]