World Cup proves film and music walked in the US so that sports can run June 26, 2026 With the US experiencing football fever Alistair Watkins argues that we have seen this before, with sport following in the footsteps of film and music When people think about European culture making its mark in the United States, they tend to think of music, film and television. From The Beatles to Harry Potter and One [...]
World Cup spending: England fans could spend £150m if they beat Panama June 26, 2026 An England win against Panama at the World Cup on Saturday could lead to an extra £150m in consumer spending, while fans are expected to fork out an extra £22m in pubs across the country this weekend. England are top of Group L, level on points with Ghana, ahead of Saturday’s final match of the [...]
How onerous UK tax system can sting players at Wimbledon June 26, 2026 With the Wimbledon Championships set to begin on Monday, Pete Fairchild takes us through the (very) complex tax issues players face. At Wimbledon, while spectators sip on Pimm’s and eat strawberries, the world’s top tennis players are earning income on British soil. For stars such as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, competing in London means [...]
Women’s rugby in England is way ahead, and the RFU deserves credit June 26, 2026 In a phrase many thought a rugby fan would never utter: The RFU, the governing body of the sport in England, is doing a world-leading job. Hold the front page, it surely cannot be true given recent controversies surrounding bonuses and the structure of the men’s game below Prem Rugby. But it is true. But [...]
Could Burnham be the answer to free-to-air sport for all? June 25, 2026 With Andy Burnham set to be the next Prime Minister, Alan Sendorek assesses how his approach to broadcasting sport may differ from Sir Keir Starmer’s. Sir Keir Starmer – the country’s most powerful Arsenal fan – last month joined the Football Supporters Association in calling on TNT Sports to make the Champions League final available [...]
Yokohama F Marinos: City Football Group offloads second club in space of six months June 25, 2026 City Football Group, owner of 10 football clubs including Manchester City, has divested its minority stake in Japanese side Yokohama F Marinos to carmaker Nissan. The J1 League outfit will remain a CFG partner club but is now wholly owned by Nissan, who founded them as a works team in the 1970s. It comes six [...]
Messi, Ronaldo, Serena, Novak: What sport stars dodging retirement tells us June 25, 2026 Sport heroes used to retire at the top but now the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Serena and Djokovic have other ideas, writes Matt Readman. Sport is nothing if not storytelling. And every athlete wants the perfect ending to their own story. The crowning moment. The final wave to the crowd. Departing with dignity on your [...]
Premier League clubs warned crypto deals could be worthless in a year June 25, 2026 Premier League football clubs have been warned that long-term sponsorship deals with crypto firms could be rendered worthless in a year’s time. It comes after the Financial Conduct Authority took the unusual step of writing to teams about the issue this month and as the watchdog rolls out plans for tighter scrutiny of the sector. [...]
Wimbledon to stay on BBC as grand slam bucks paywall trend June 25, 2026 Wimbledon will remain on the BBC until 2033 after the public service broadcaster announced a deal extension with the All England Club. The Wimbledon Championships fortnight, which this year begins next Monday, is, in part, in cahoots with the government’s so-called Crown Jewels list – officially called the Ofcom Code on Sports and Other Listed [...]
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 [...]