National League 3Up bid takes step forward and gains Nandy backing February 13, 2026 Culture secretary Lisa Nandy has backed the National League’s 3Up campaign for a third promotion place into the English Football League (EFL). The EFL has come under increasing pressure to introduce a third promotion place from the National League and bring it in line with the system in place in the Championship, League One and [...]
Two-job Townsend is on the brink but deserves break from Scotland fans February 13, 2026 Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend may have played down rumours that he has agreed to take over as boss of Prem Rugby club Newcastle Red Bulls after the 2027 World Cup, but he currently advises the club south of the border on strategy and philosophy. So he’s well on his way, right? One thing is [...]
Why KKR-Arctos is not just about private equity getting bigger February 12, 2026 The announcement that US giant KKR has acquired Arctos Partners for a reported $1.4bn (£1bn) is a significant moment in both the sports investment and private equity worlds. At first glance, the deal looks like a straightforward bet by KKR on the growing institutional appetite for sports assets. However, look closer and it says something [...]
Paul Townend: I don’t think Galopin is finished yet February 12, 2026 HE MAY be the leading active rider at the Cheltenham Festival, but as we approach another Festival, for Paul Townend the excitement is just as great as ever. “It’s always exciting, if it wasn’t exciting, you wouldn’t be doing it,” the seven-time Irish Champion Jockey said. Despite having ridden 38 Festival winners, including four last [...]
Manchester United owner Ratcliffe may face FA charge over immigrants rant February 12, 2026 Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe could face a Football Association charge over his widely-criticised comments that the UK has been “colonised by immigrants”. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham have already condemned Ratcliffe’s remarks and now the FA is set to examine whether they have brought the [...]
Willie Mullins: Your gut tells you he has to be a hell of a horse February 12, 2026 FOUR weeks out from this year’s Cheltenham Festival, Willie Mullins, the meeting’s all-time leading trainer, is assembling his battalion of runners once again. By the Closutton maestro’s usual standards he has had a slower beginning to the season, and he trails main rival Gordon Elliott in the Irish trainers’ championship. It’s not something that is [...]
Hong Kong Racing Chief warns of industry at a crossroads February 12, 2026 MAJOR challenges for the racing industry and betting companies were highlighted as global leaders gathered at the 41st Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Riyadh this week. Front and centre was Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and Chair of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF). In his opening address as ARF [...]
Saudi Cup set for future away from Riyadh February 12, 2026 Development within Saudi Arabia’s racing sector continues to accelerate. The Saudi Cup, born in 2020 and already the world’s most valuable horse race worth $20 million with Group One status, is set to take place for the seventh time at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh this weekend. However, organisers have already confirmed ambitious plans for [...]
Sport’s overreachers like Sussex and Leicester are guilty of hope not greed February 12, 2026 As long as sport’s governing bodies and regulators reward risk over restraint, the cycle of boom, bust, sanction, repeat will continue, writes Ed Warner. First the disclaimer: I live in Sussex and although its county side isn’t my first cricketing love – that “honour” belongs to Middlesex CCC – I’ve enjoyed days at Hove’s County [...]
PM Starmer asked to back £500m Alexandra Palace darts injection February 11, 2026 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been called upon to contribute to a £500m, one-off private-public cash injection to keep darts at Alexandra Palace. The north London venue first hosted the World Darts Championship in 2007 but a move away from the venue has been touted by tournament organisers Matchroom, with the sport exploding in popularity [...]