An England World Cup isn’t just football – it is money, politics and a nation’s bad habits June 18, 2026 England are being asked to win the World Cup, yes, but the absurdity is that they are required to do so much more in the process, both commercially and politically, writes Ed Warner. And so they’ve begun. Our boys, Tom’s 26. Their world is in motion, three lions on their shirts, out to erase 60 [...]
Exclusive: O2 Arena bosses open to hosting another Formula 1 launch event June 18, 2026 O2 Arena bosses are open to hosting another Formula 1 launch event if the motor racing series decides to repeat its popular pre-season showpiece. To celebrate its 75th season, Formula 1 staged a sell-out event at the 20,000-capacity O2 in Greenwich, with all teams showing off their cars alongside music from the likes of Machine Gun [...]
Exclusive: London in talks to host return of sumo at Royal Albert Hall June 18, 2026 Sumo wrestling could return to the Royal Albert Hall by the end of the decade as talks between London and Tokyo edge towards a deal, City AM can reveal. London Mayor Sadiq Khan met the Japan Sumo Association in Tokyo this week following on from last year’s give-day Basho at the iconic Kensington arena. It [...]
Play Riffa and Mar to leave Scandinavia out in gold June 17, 2026 ROYAL Ascot rises to a crescendo on Thursday with the centrepiece of the five days being the Group One Gold Cup (4.15pm). This is the ultimate test for stayers, run over a punishing two-and-a-half miles of Ascot, where only the toughest horses rise to the top. Trawlerman has already proven he has all the attributes [...]
Legacy can crack exotic Code in the Ribblesdale June 17, 2026 BACKING up from Epsom’s Derby meeting to Royal Ascot is not easy but it can be done. Ten Bob Tony showed that with his shock 50/1 victory in the Queen Anne on Tuesday after winning the Tattenham Corner Stakes, and I fancy one who ran a blinder in the Oaks to go one better on [...]
O’Brien’s King George runners Cannes trouble the judge June 17, 2026 AS AIDAN O’Brien strides towards a century of Royal Ascot wins, son Joseph is doing a good job of establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with on the big days. Still just 33, Joseph saddled a second British Classic winner in the Oaks at Epsom two weeks ago and had winners at Ascot [...]
Italy to Mount a winning challenge in the Hampton Court June 17, 2026 COOLMORE dominate the betting for the Group Three Hampton Court Stakes (5.35pm), with ENDORSEMENT and ITALY both well found in the market. Ryan Moore prefers Endorsement, but as shown with Great Barrier Reef already this week, there can be value in backing the supposed second strings and I’m going with Italy this time. Campaigned over [...]
Hydration breaks: World Cup ad cost could eclipse Super Bowl’s $7m price tag June 17, 2026 Ads during hydration breaks at the Fifa World Cup final could cost more than a Super Bowl commercial, according to one of the world’s biggest advertising groups. This year’s World Cup in North America and Mexico has introduced a drinks break during each half of football, effectively cutting the game into quarters, like many US [...]
England, Kansas City and Taylor Swift: Why FA chose midwest as World Cup base June 17, 2026 England have picked Kansas City as their home from home at the 2026 World Cup, along with three other teams, despite not having any games there. So why has the Taylor Swift-linked midwest become “base camp capital”? Kansas City’s recent contribution to sports discourse has been dominated by the Chiefs’ three Super Bowl wins in [...]
Knicks NBA finals win over Spurs smashes broadcasting records June 17, 2026 The 2026 NBA Finals between the victorious New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs was the most watched series this century. The most-watched NBA postseason since 1998 averaged more than 20m viewers across broadcasters ABC and ESPN. And the crucial fifth game, which saw the Madison Square Garden Sports-owned New York Knicks win their [...]