By: Matt Hardy

Deputy Sports Editor - City AM Matt is the Deputy Sports Editor covering sport, the business of sport and the politics of sport. He covers the likes of football, rugby, cricket, Formula 1, golf and tennis.

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Industry backs mooted Burnham plans for return of alcohol on football terraces

July 29, 2026

Industry has backed mooted government plans to consult on allowing football fans to drink alcohol on the terraces for the first time in more than 40 years. Fans of clubs in the football league were barred from drinking in view of the pitch in the 1980s to stop football hooligans from fighting. But the Prime [...]
Europe to host Formula 1 finale if Iran war scuppers Qatar and Abu Dhabi plans

July 29, 2026

Europe will host the Formula 1 finale if the ongoing war in Iran scuppers planned Grands Prix in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Formula 1’s 24-race season had already taken a double hit, with races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain postponed indefinitely earlier this year. The Bahrain Grand Prix will now take place in Malaysia. But [...]
Exclusive: Wimbledon chiefs ready to defend brand amid Saudi tennis complex similarities

July 28, 2026

Wimbledon chiefs stand ready to defend its distinctive green and purple branding after plans emerged for a Saudi tennis mega-complex with a similar colourway. Renders for a National Tennis Centre in Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya giga-project were released in June, showing a central court draped in foliage and 29 other courts decked out in a purple [...]
If SailGP steers towards ultra-aspirational audience it will soar

July 27, 2026

Having spent two days consuming SailGP in Portsmouth, Matt Hardy looks at what’s next for the series dubbed F1 on water Akin to a horde of middle aged parents at an Algarve all-inclusive, an eager line forms within eyesight of prime real estate with hundreds ready to grab the best spot. But rather than being [...]
Italy Pirlo hire off after Russian betting firm links revealed

July 27, 2026

Italy’s plans to name Andrea Pirlo manager of their national football team have been scrapped after his links with a Russian betting firm were criticised by politicians. Pirlo, the 47-year-old manager of Dubai United, has been a global ambassador for Fonbet since October and was all but confirmed for the Italy job despite no official [...]
Crystal Palace stadium set for £130m revamp with 25,000 seats

July 24, 2026

Plans for the £130m refurbishment of a major 25,000-capacity south London stadium in Crystal Palace have been given the green light. The planning application for the renovation of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre has been approved with the refurbishment set to feature a revamped swimming and diving pool, as well as a padel centre, [...]
West Ham United London Stadium deal costing taxpayers £19m a year

July 24, 2026

The London Stadium deal between West Ham United and City Hall costs taxpayers £19m a year, the stadium company’s chair has revealed. A deal signed in 2013 between then Mayor of London Boris Johnson and bigwigs at the Hammers sees the former Premier League side pay £4.6m in rent per year, dropping this season due [...]
The Rest Is… for the Treasury: Gary Lineker backs wealth tax for rich

July 23, 2026

Gary Lineker has urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to introduce a wealth tax on himself and other millionaires. The former England football player, synonymous with crisps, is one of over 100 millionaires to sign an open letter to No 10 calling for a 2 per cent tax hike on people with assets worth at least [...]
Exclusive: Bordeaux Begles to compete in London rugby sevens tournament

July 22, 2026

Investec Champions Cup winners Bordeaux Begles will send a team to the London City 7s in a major coup for the Square Mile tournament. The showstopping French Top 14 outfit, who in May won their second consecutive European title, will participate in the second edition of the London sevens tournament, which takes place in September [...]
Financial gap between Hundred host counties and others widening, report warns

July 22, 2026

The financial gap between Hundred host clubs and the other 11 counties is widening and could continue to do so, according to a new financial report. The big four counties of Surrey, Lancashire, Hampshire and Warwickshire generated over half of the total revenue of all 18 first-class counties last year, with a “series of financial [...]

Premier League gets US broadcast bounce after World Cup

Premier League gets US broadcast bounce after World Cup

A Dram with Paddy Fletcher

By: Matt Hardy

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