Why Mexico, Dubai and Italy are the countries to watch in sport in 2026 January 1, 2026 This time last year, City AM asked me to identify three countries for which 2025 would be an important year in sport. My three choices were Saudi Arabia, Morocco and the United States. Judging by recent standards, Saudi Arabia’s year was relatively quiet albeit interspersed with some rowdy moments, notably the Public Investment Fund’s acquisition [...]
Reading owner Rob Couhig considers selling training ground to raise funds December 31, 2025 Reading owner Rob Couhig is considering radical measures including downgrading the club’s Academy or selling the training ground to increase the funding he can make available to the first team. The American, who paid around £25m to buy the League One club from Dai Yongge at the end of last season, has been an outspoken critic of [...]
Exclusive: CVC Capital Partners nearing external investment for $14bn Global Sport Group December 30, 2025 Six Nations investors CVC Capital Partners is close to securing external investment in its $14bn Global Sport Group, which is expected to trigger a wave of new sporting acquisitions at the start of next year. GSG, which is chaired by former EE chief executive Marc Allera, was formed earlier this year to run CVC’s existing [...]
Battle of the Sexes tennis: Billie Jean King says it’s just entertainment December 27, 2025 Billie Jean King has distanced herself from this year’s Battle of the Sexes tennis showdown, insisting hers was about “social change”, while the 2025 edition is “entertainment”. World number one Aryna Sabalenka will take on Australian Nick Kyrgios in a Battle of the Sexes match in Dubai on 30 December. King famously beat self-proclaimed chauvinist [...]
Sport business quiz 2025: Test your knowledge with City AM’s topical teasers December 24, 2025 Quiz fans, have you been paying attention to the ever-changing sport business landscape in 2025? We at City AM have been breathlessly documenting it and have devised a test to see how much you remember. If you think you know your Hundred auctions from your Formula 1 minority sales and your record breaking NBA team [...]
WTA and Mercedes-Benz pen decade-long deal said to be worth $500m December 10, 2025 The WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) has penned a decade-long partnership agreement with Mercedes-Benz believed to be worth as much as $500m (£376m). The deal, announced at the Mercedes factory in Stuttgart with WTA co-founder Billie Jean King and 20-time grand slam winner Roger Federer in attendance, will see the automotive behemoth become a “premier partner” [...]
Zverev latest to enter luxury market with Loewe deal November 14, 2025 Tennis player Alexander Zverev is the latest sports star to cross over with luxury, announcing a deal with German AV brand Loewe. Zverev, also German, is taking part in the ATP Finals this week in Turin and follows Kylian Mbappe in agreeing a global brand ambassador deal with Loewe, which is headquartered in Kronach. It [...]
Amex cites sponsorship strategy for Gen Z and Millennial credit card surge November 14, 2025 The surge in Millennials and Gen Zers taking out American Express cards is “definitely” down to the financial services provider going big on sponsorship, it says. The New York-headquartered card issuer states that over 60 per cent of Amex’s new global consumer card acquisitions “represent Millennials and Gen Z”, something they attribute to their drive [...]
WTA Finals set to extend stay in Saudi Arabia as kingdom invests in tennis November 10, 2025 The money-spinning WTA Finals are set to remain in Saudi Arabia beyond the current contract. The finals, featuring the world’s top eight women’s players, concluded its second season in Saudi Arabia at the weekend as part of a three-year deal. But WTA chief Portia Archer said they would be looking to keep the event “in [...]
Exclusive: Padel pioneers to set up pro pickleball circuit in Europe and Middle East November 10, 2025 A professional pickleball circuit is coming to Europe and the Middle East in 2026 in a move its founders hope can replicate the racquet sport’s explosive growth in the US. Pickleball – played on small courts and popular with both celebrities including Dua Lipa and Emma Watson and former tennis stars such as Maria Sharapova [...]