Sports 24-Hour Briefing
×Formula 1
Last updated: October 24, 2026, 10:40 PM ET
Qualifying & Pole Position
Kimi Antonelli claimed his seventh pole autosport.com of 2026 at the United States Grand Prix, beating Max Verstappen to the top spot with George Russell down in sixth. The result has Mercedes seeing the payoff autosport.com from its recent car upgrades after a difficult stretch. Lando Norris, however, was openly frustrated after admitting he did a very bad job in qualifying.
Practice Sessions
Lewis Hamilton topped final practice autosport.com on Friday, as Ferrari completed a perfect practice record over the weekend. Verstappen enjoyed a promising start autosport.com to the event, though Red Bull identified areas still requiring improvement.
Team Matters
Cadillac's team principal dodged questions autosport.com about the driver market during the United States weekend, keeping speculation alive. Elsewhere, Honda faced an unexpected turbo lag issue autosport.com with its upgraded power unit, following a strong showing in Malaysia.
Coming Up
The United States Grand Prix race follows the qualifying autosport.com session, with Antonelli starting from pole.
Football/Soccer
Last updated: October 25, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
Premier League
Manchester United's crisis deepened as Tony Pulis argued that stability, not more changes bbc.co.uk is what the club now needs, while Michael Carrick insisted the club remains manageable bbc.co.uk. Elsewhere, Liverpool's goal-scoring problems bbc.co.uk under Iraola have been examined, with the side managing just 15 goals in four cup games. Manchester City's unbeaten Premier League start ended as they fell at Aston Villa espn.com, 2-1, with Donnarumma and Guehi under scrutiny, a defeat that sent Arsenal espn.com level on points at the top. Nicolas Jackson was the story at Villa, scoring a double bbc.co.uk in a 2-2 draw that left City's record intact in other respects.
Tottenham's win at Stamford Bridge was their second-ever Premier League victory espn.com at Chelsea, with Roberto De Zerbi praising a complete team espn.com. Mike Penders' own goal and Palmer's red card defined the afternoon, as Chelsea's horror night skysports.com unfolded under Alonso, and Spurs now sit 12th, their highest league position bbc.co.uk of the season. Arsenal's women's side also ended a five-match winless run with a Russo winner skysports.com over Spurs.
La Liga & Clásico Build-Up
Barcelona and Real Madrid meet in El Clásico espn.com this weekend, with Hansi Flick outlining a plan to contain Mbappé espn.com and José Mourinho insisting Real Madrid wins trophies espn.com under him. Atlético Madrid moved closer to Barcelona as Álvarez's goal espn.com ended a long home drought, and the striker later apologized espn.com to supporters over his attempted move to Barcelona. Transfer interest grew around Brighton's Luka Vuskovic, with Chelsea, Bayern and Barcelona all reportedly chasing espn.com the defender.
Bundesliga & Serie A
Bayern Munich were rocked as coach Vincent Kompany was hospitalized after collapsing espn.com at training, and his recovery will take weeks bbc.co.uk while tests continue. Joe Scally helped Gladbach avoid a historic worst-ever start espn.com with a goal and a first win of the season. In Serie A, Scott McTominay scored twice espn.com in a 3-3 thriller between Napoli and Roma, while AC Milan condemned racist abuse espn.com directed at Mike Maignan following his red card against Bournemouth.
Championship & Lower Leagues
Huddersfield top the table bbc.co.uk while Derby struggle, and Burnley sacked Nicky Hayen bbc.co.uk after just 14 games following a 4-1 thrashing by Lincoln. Blackburn beat Wrexham 2-0 as Gudjohnsen scored twice skysports.com, Portsmouth came from behind to beat Millwall, and Norwich ended a six-game losing run skysports.com at Charlton. Barnsley paid tribute to their all-time appearance record holder, Barry Murphy bbc.co.uk, who died aged.
Scottish Football
Rangers crushed St Johnstone 4-0 bbc.co.uk, and St Mirren ended five straight defeats skysports.com with a win over Dundee. Falkirk climbed to seventh after a 3-0 win skysports.com over Kilmarnock in stormy conditions, and Duncan Ferguson's Glentoran debut was postponed bbc.co.uk due to a waterlogged pitch.
Formula 1 & Motorsport
Kimi Antonelli took a surprise pole skysports.com at the United States Grand Prix ahead of Verstappen, while Ferrari's pace again evaporated skysports.com and Lando Norris blamed himself skysports.com for qualifying eighth. Britain's Alisha Palmowski was crowned 2026 F1 Academy champion skysports.com after three race wins.
MLS & Americas
Nashville SC clinched the Supporters' Shield espn.com with a 2-0 win, and Red Bull Nueva York beat Inter Miami after a Casemiro own goal, with Messi coming off the bench in the defeat espn.com. The NWSL dropped its Rodman rule espn.com restrictions, making all players eligible.
Other Football News
Fifa president Gianni Infantino says he has espn.com the support of the "vast majority" for his re-election bid. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a disputed goal espn.com in Al Nassr's win, and the Ballon d'Or remains open espn.com, with no consensus pick. Haaland is set to return espn.com for Manchester City this weekend, and Carrick and the Man United hierarchy faced scrutiny over the club's deep-rooted decline espn.com.
Coming Up
El Clásico kicks off Sunday espn.com, with Real Madrid under Mourinho facing Barcelona. Haaland is expected back espn.com for Manchester City's next Premier League fixture on Saturday.
NBA Basketball
Last updated: October 25, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum espn.com spent most of his postgame news conference denying a feud with former teammate Jaylen Brown espn.com, who said Tatum should "stay ready at all times" after the trade that sent Brown to Philadelphia.
Nuggets and Knicks Fans
Nikola Jokic espn.com recorded his 199th career triple-double with 35 points, 15 rebounds and a triple-double as Denver erased a 23-point deficit to beat New Orleans in overtime. In New York, a couple named their newborn Knickson Fyve espn.com after the popular Knicks chant.
Eastern Conference Results
Giannis Antetokounmpo espn.com fouled out as Miami fell 115-110 to the undermanned Hornets, dropping the Heat to 0-3. Earlier in the week, Giannis had scored 36 points espn.com as he continued a blistering start. Philadelphia stayed unbeaten as Joel Embiid espn.com posted a triple-double in a win over Milwaukee, with LeBron James sidelined by back pain after LeBron James sat out espn.com the first game of a back-to-back.
Western Conference and Injuries
Houston edged San Antonio after Amen Thompson espn.com blocked Victor Wembanyama at the rim on the final possession. Golden State collapsed late as Memphis espn.com rallied with a 17-0 run. Dallas received difficult news when Cooper Flagg espn.com left a game against Indiana after a hard foul, and he was later ruled out for the home opener with a mild shoulder sprain espn.com. Orlando's Paolo Banchero espn.com is expected to miss several weeks with an ankle sprain.
League Business
Former player Malik Beasley espn.com is negotiating a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in a gambling case. Madison Square Garden admitted an "unfortunate mistake" espn.com after a phishing email reached Knicks business employees. In its opening-week notes, ESPN reported on a new trend in contract talks espn.com and reviewed the season debuts espn.com of twelve players.
Coming Up
Dallas will await word espn.com on Flagg's availability for the home opener.
NFL Football
Last updated: October 24, 2026, 10:40 PM ET
Injury Updates
The Ravens have ruled out Lamar Jackson espn.com with an ankle injury for Sunday's game against the Bengals, with Tyler Huntley set to start. Baker Mayfield is in line to play espn.com while Puka Nacua remains uncertain. In San Francisco, the 49ers will be without Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel and Nick Bosa, with Kirk possibly returning espn.com.
The Giants lost linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who will miss the rest of the season espn.com with a torn chest injury. In Philadelphia, the Eagles are missing their top two receivers espn.com, DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks, for Sunday's clash with Dallas. Seattle's Zach Charbonnet will sit out espn.com another week against Kansas City.
Roster Moves
The Vikings activated running back Jordan Mason espn.com from injured reserve on Saturday. The Packers activated Josh Jacobs espn.com from the exempt list, and he will make his 2026 debut against the Lions.
Predictions and Previews
Our expert panel picked out the upsets espn.com for Week, including a possible Cardinals win and big days for Tucker Kraft and Germie Bernard. Aaron Rodgers is being considered espn.com among the top 12 quarterbacks, and Cam Skattebo may rebound. A full slate guide with matchups and picks espn.com covers Cowboys at Eagles, Bengals at Ravens, and the Steelers and Saints in Paris.
Team News and Off the Field
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders have unionized espn.com and will begin collective bargaining with the team. The NFL closed its NFL House in Paris espn.com ahead of expected street protests. Lawrence McCutcheon, a five-time Pro Bowl running back for the Rams, died at age 76 espn.com.
Player Features
Kenneth Walker III has been a standout espn.com for Kansas City since leaving Seattle, while the Seahawks' run game struggles. Bo Nix is going through his roughest stretch espn.com even as Denver keeps winning. Dak Prescott and Cee Dee Lamb insist the 2-4 Cowboys espn.com can still turn their season around. Bengals defensive end Boye Mafe uses sign language espn.com to send "I love you" to his late mother before every game.
Uniforms and Style
The Texans and Lions are going monochrome espn.com for Week, with the Lions wearing an all-black alternate top. The Falcons' stripe pattern espn.com will appear on throwback helmets after drawing social media backlash. Rookie Fernando Mendoza is carrying espn.com the legacy of Hispanic NFL players before him.
Coming Up
The Ravens and Bengals meet Sunday espn.com, with Tyler Huntley starting at quarterback for Baltimore. The Cowboys visit the Eagles espn.com this weekend in a key NFC matchup.
MLB Baseball
Last updated: October 25, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
World Series
The Brewers took a 2-0 lead espn.com over the Rays after rallying from a 4-0 deficit in the first inning to win 5-4. Milwaukee topped Tampa Bay espn.com for a second straight night, and the series now shifts its focus to the Rays' response. Game 1 ended with the Brewers escaping a ninth-inning jam espn.com that included a replay-review drama and a seemingly game-ending double play.
Rays
Tampa Bay says it will stay aggressive espn.com on the basepaths despite two costly baserunning miscues in Game. The club's approach is central to how it intends to compete against a Milwaukee team that has now won the first two games.
Brewers
Milwaukee fans waited decades espn.com to see their team back in the Fall Classic, and the city's celebrations have been widely reported. The Brewers' return to the series came after a 44-year gap.
Broader Context
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said a Rays-Brewers matchup espn.com is good for the game, while maintaining that a salary cap is still needed. The series also features an all-dome setting espn.com with the two teams holding the best records in their respective leagues.
Other News
Former Yankees slugger Hideki Matsui was named manager espn.com of Japan's Yomiuri Giants on Friday.
Coming Up
The series continues with Game 3 espn.com as the Rays look to get back into the series.
NHL Hockey
Last updated: October 25, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
Lightning & Records
Nikita Kucherov espn.com became the Tampa Bay Lightning's career points leader, passing Steven Stamkos on the franchise's all-time list.
Trades & Roster Moves
The Devils acquired Connor Hellebuyck from the Jets, with Winnipeg receiving Mercer in return, and early grades espn.com are still being debated. Hellebuyck said sitting at home espn.com for so long was getting to him and is eager to return from suspension. Washington announced that defenseman Vincent Desharnais will be out four to six weeks espn.com after an appendectomy. In Florida, the 6-9 Cooper Black made his debut espn.com as a Panther and set an NHL record for height in goal.
Ducks & Flyers
Leo Carlsson scored and assisted espn.com in Anaheim's 5-4 win over Philadelphia, a result that stung the Flyers, who had offered him the sheet that Anaheim matched.
Power Rankings & Slate
Carolina holds on espn.com to the No. 1 spot in the latest power rankings, which also feature notable movement across the league. A dozen games are on Saturday's slate espn.com, starting at 1 p.m. and running through 10 p.m. Eastern.
Coming Up
The Ducks and Flyers meet again in a revenge matchup espn.com on Saturday's card.
General Sports
Last updated: October 25, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
College Football
Upsets and chaos espn.com reigned across Week 8 as more top-ranked teams fell than expected. Cincinnati upset No. 8 Texas Tech espn.com 34-27 behind JC French IV's four touchdown passes, while Miami routed Pitt espn.com as Malachi Toney set a school record with 16 catches. UCF took down No. 2 BYU espn.com in double overtime, and BYU coach Kalani Sitake disputed a roughing the kicker call that extended the game. Indiana edged Michigan espn.com in overtime on a Josh Hoover touchdown run, the Hoosiers' first win in Ann Arbor since 1967. Texas survived a 21-point deficit espn.com to beat Ole Miss, and Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte clarified espn.com reports about AI use on a failed fourth-down play in the Longhorns' loss to Florida. Utah salvaged a rough day espn.com for the Big 12 in the College Football Playoff top-12 projection, and Morgan Scalley's first season leading the Utes espn.com has put them on track for the playoff.
Coaching Changes
NC State fired Dave Doeren espn.com after a 3-4 start to his 14th season, and the program is now weighing its top candidates espn.com for the job.
Mixed Martial Arts
Alexander Volkanovski stopped Movsar Evloev bbc.co.uk to claim a record ninth featherweight title win at UFC, while Petr Yan also retained his belt espn.com against Merab Dvalishvili. UFC CEO Dana White said welterweight champion Islam Makhachev gave no reason for his absence from the division espn.com, and White booked an interim title bout between Prates and Morales.
Women's Basketball
The WNBA Finals are tied 2-2 espn.com after the Valkyries stole Game 4 in Atlanta, holding Angel Reese to eight points. The Valkyries also beat the Dream espn.com 67-62 to force a fifth game. Angel Reese and Gabby Williams both found happier homes espn.com after leaving the Chicago Sky. A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart headline the All-WNBA teams espn.com, and the Indiana Fever fired general manager Amber Cox espn.com amid a front office shake-up.
Rugby
Leinster came back bbc.co.uk to beat Munster in a bruising URC derby, while Ospreys thumped the Dragons bbc.co.uk 31-14 at St Helens. Glasgow recovered from 17 points down bbc.co.uk to beat Benetton, and Leicester ended a four-year drought bbc.co.uk against Northampton with four second-half tries. Ulster remain without a URC win bbc.co.uk after a defeat to the Bulls. Ireland beat South Africa bbc.co.uk six tries to nil in Cape Town, and Wales ground out a 17-0 win bbc.co.uk over Japan in Tokyo. In rugby league, Australia thrashed England bbc.co.uk 78-0 at the Women's Rugby League World Cup, and England beat France 82-0 bbc.co.uk to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
Boxing and Athletics
Dalton Smith retained his WBC light-welterweight title bbc.co.uk on a split decision over Puello in Sheffield. Jake Jarman won historic silver bbc.co.uk in the men's floor final at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, his fourth world championship medal.
Coming Up
Kimi Antonelli can become bbc.co.uk the youngest F1 world champion when the Austin race takes place Sunday. The Valkyries and Golden State meet in Game 5 espn.com of the WNBA Finals. Indiana running back Khobie Martin is set to return espn.com for the Hoosiers' next game.