Sports 24-Hour Briefing
×Formula 1
Last updated: October 20, 2026, 5:20 PM ET
Formula 1
The FIA expects the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi to go ahead as scheduled, according to president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Coming Up
The Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix remain on the calendar, with the FIA confident both will run as planned.
Football/Soccer
Last updated: October 21, 2026, 6:50 PM ET
Champions League
Liverpool came from two goals down to beat Villarreal 4-3 at Anfield, with 18-year-old Rio Ngumoha producing the finest game of his Liverpool career. Manchester City thrashed AEK Athens 5-1, with Phil Foden scoring a hat trick while Erling Haaland was rested. PSG beat Barcelona 4-2, handing Hansi Flick's side their first defeat of the season, though Ousmane Dembélé's injury problems overshadowed the win. Barcelona have reported PSG to UEFA over the "overly aggressive" tifo. The competition also set a new goals record on Tuesday.
Premier League & Manchester United
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick demands more clean sheets as he looks to turn the season around, and Lisandro Martínez and Marcus Rashford missed training ahead of the trip to Como. United are reportedly targeting two left-backs in a planned overhaul. Wolves were held 1-1 by Portsmouth, with Terry Devlin scoring a late equaliser. Football's independent regulator chair has said it will have "absolute power" to force a Manchester City sale, while Sven Botman's challenge on Nicolas Jackson drew criticism, which referees' chief Howard Webb has defended.
Europe & Transfers
Como, led by Cesc Fàbregas, prepare for a historic tie against Manchester United, a match Fàbregas calls a "dream come true". Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany is doubtful for the Arsenal game with a viral infection. Real Madrid's José Mourinho insisted that no player is untouchable, and Premier League clubs are eyeing Trent Alexander-Arnold. Cristiano Ronaldo was fined and suspended for 30 days by Portugal after a walkout, and he missed a penalty on his first appearance back for Al Nassr. Turkey's football federation has banned 147 officials for breaching betting rules.
Other Football
Celtic thrashed Hearts 7-1, and the SPFL has invited bids for its new Scottish Premiership TV rights. The USWNT U17 side set a World Cup record with a 17-0 win over Samoa. Gianni Infantino is courting Asian football bodies in his FIFA re-election bid, and UEFA has demanded answers from FIFA over its World Cup plans. Teemu Pukki has announced his retirement at.
Coming Up
The USMNT close out 2026 against Jamaica in Fort Lauderdale. The NFL's historic Paris game between the Saints and Steelers is set to go ahead as planned.
NBA Basketball
Last updated: October 21, 2026, 6:50 PM ET
Opening Night Results
The 76ers rallied past the defending champion Knicks in LeBron James's NBA-record 24th season debut, spoiling New York's championship celebration. Philadelphia took down the Knicks in the season opener, and Joel Embiid shined with three blocks. Mike Brown admitted he wouldn't have felt good about a Knicks win given the way they played. New York raised its title banner before tip-off, adding a surprise Cup banner.
Comebacks and Standout Debuts
The Pistons rallied from 22 points down to beat the Celtics, the largest comeback in NBA history on the first day of a season. Paul George scored 38 points in his Celtics debut, the most by a Boston player in his first game, though it came in a loss. In the Thunder's season opener, the team showed it has Chet Holmgren's back after a scuffle early in the second quarter.
Injuries and Roster Moves
Brandin Podziemski was a surprise scratch for the Warriors with back soreness. Stephen Curry is expected to play despite an ankle issue. The Hornets will be without Kon Knueppel and Coby White for their opener. AJ Dybantsa's Wizards debut has been delayed by an ankle injury. Ben Simmons suffered a torn Achilles and will undergo surgery, ending his season with the Kings.
Contracts and Transactions
The Hornets and Brandon Miller agreed to a five-year, $209 million rookie extension. Jaden McDaniels signed a one-year, $40 million extension with the Timberwolves. Cason Wallace agreed to a five-year, $139 million extension with the Thunder. The Lakers waived Dalton Knecht, the 2024 first-round pick. The Bucks waived Kevin Porter Jr. before the season opener.
Season Outlook and League News
Commissioner Adam Silver said there is "no rules issue" with LeBron's helicopter commute. The NBA will make its largest investment ever in European basketball through a new league. Oddsmakers list the Spurs and Thunder as the championship favorites entering the season. Our experts made their picks for the East, West and title, and offered bold predictions for fantasy hoops. Jayson Tatum and the Celtics face a new-look roster as the season begins.
Coming Up
The Warriors and Lakers meet Wednesday night in the season opener, with Curry expected to play. The NBA season preview breaks down all 30 teams ahead of the full season.
NFL Football
Last updated: October 21, 2026, 6:50 PM ET
Quarterback Injuries & Medical Scrutiny
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the season after doctors discovered blood clots in his lungs. The NFLPA has called for a full investigation into how the team handled his medical care, while reports indicate the league will not punish Philadelphia over the process. ESPN's medical breakdown explains what the diagnosis means for the quarterback Receivers Hit Hard
Commanders wideout Terry McLaurin suffered a torn patellar tendon that will end his season, a blow after he was carted off during Monday night's loss. The Rams lost Davante Adams to a ruptured hamstring for six to ten weeks, and 49ers receiver Mike Evans exited Monday's game with Achilles soreness. Pittsburgh responded by bringing back veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling amid its own receiver injury problems.
Roster Moves & Coaching Changes
The Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard on Monday, prompting questions about whether a broader overhaul is coming in Indianapolis. The Giants released running back Najee Harris days after he managed just two yards as a starter, and the Titans abruptly cut defensive tackle Jordan Elliott over an undisclosed facility incident. Miami also released kicker Riley Patterson after kickoff issues, and the Rams signed Brandon McManus as their third kicker in three weeks. Cowboys ownership, meanwhile, has backed Brian Schottenheimer despite Dallas's 2-4 start.
Struggling Contenders & Power Rankings
The Rams have fallen well short of expectations at 2-4, while ESPN's latest Power Rankings lay out where every team stands heading into Week. Giants coach John Harbaugh faces a quarterback decision between Jameis Winston and J.J. McCarthy. Commanders coach Dan Quinn said he addressed a fourth-down throwaway with quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Week 7 Previews & Fantasy
ESPN's Week 7 preview weighs the Colts' coaching decisions and whether Philadelphia could trade stars. Packers running back Josh Jacobs is set to return to practice Wednesday and might play Sunday. For fantasy managers, Eric Karabell highlights the top free agent pickups for Week, and ESPN's early betting analysis flags three games with immediate value.
League Business & Entertainment
The NFL will boost security for the Steelers-Saints game in Paris following recent riots in the city. U2 will headline the first Thanksgiving Eve halftime show, joining a lineup that includes Beyonce. Elsewhere, a feature on the painstaking process of installing NFL fields in stadiums not built for them offers a look at the work behind game-day surfaces. Weekly trolling after Week 6 was led by the Panthers, whose jab at Philadelphia drew attention across the league.
Coming Up
Jacobs is expected to practice Wednesday and could play Sunday. The Steelers and Saints meet in Paris with heightened security in place. U2 performs at the Thanksgiving Eve halftime show later in the season.
MLB Baseball
Last updated: October 21, 2026, 6:50 PM ET
World Series Matchup
The Brewers and Rays are set for the Fall Classic, a showdown guaranteed to crown a first-time champion. Both franchises are chasing their first title, and the preview lays out how each club can win it all.
American League Championship
Tampa Bay closed out Cleveland in Game 6 to punch its ticket to Milwaukee. Junior Caminero's unlikely blast and a 38.7-second home run trot punctuated the pennant-clinching win. Freddy Peralta earned ALCS MVP honors after his fastball carried the Rays into the Series. The Guardians, meanwhile, came up short, extending their championship drought to 78 years.
Team Profiles
The small-market Rays have built a winning culture that has made them kings of the American League. The Brewers, once considered long shots, now carry significant sportsbook liability heading into the Series.
Fan Concerns
Some Brewers fans who cashed in on a 2015 promotion were upset with the seating they received for the Series, prompting the club to try to make amends.
Front Office and Free Agency
Aaron Boone will return as Yankees manager for a 10th season in 2027, according to a source. The qualifying offer for this year's free agents rose 5.1% to $23.15 million. The Athletics also hired Taylor Smith as president of baseball operations, adding a former Red Sox and Rays executive to their front office.
International Market
Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato, is seeking an MLB move through the posting system after a strong showing with his national team.
Coming Up
The Brewers and Rays open the World Series as the first-time champion will be crowned.
NHL Hockey
Last updated: October 21, 2026, 6:50 PM ET
Kings and Standings
The Los Angeles Kings finally broke through, ending their status as the NHL's only winless team, but the win came with a cost as Byfield was lost to an upper-body injury. The Rangers, meanwhile, kept rolling, beating the Ducks 5-2 on Monday night to improve to 6-0-0 at home. League leaders in points, goals and goals-against average are laid out in the latest stat rankings.
Trades and Roster Moves
Trade speculation is heating up around Winnipeg, where several teams remain interested in goalie Connor Hellebuyck. In Detroit, Dylan Larkin's trade list has grown to 10 teams after his request went public last June. Brady Tkachuk, traded from Ottawa to Florida in June, says he will donate the Senators jerseys that fans threw in protest.
Player Health and Milestones
Penguins forward Ben Kindel was hospitalized in Salt Lake City after a medical emergency on a flight and was being evaluated when reports came in. On a happier note, Cole Knuble, son of Mike, made his NHL debut with the Flyers, the team he grew up rooting for. In goal, 24-year-old Dylan Garand has stepped into the spotlight with injuries to Igor Shesterkin, though questions remain about how long the run will last.
Tuesday Slate
Twenty-two teams take the ice Tuesday, with the Bruins and Stars headlining the card. The Kings face the Capitals in Washington, where they could extend the winless drought. For fantasy managers, a look at which hot defensive starts are likely to cool off offers useful trade guidance.
Coming Up
The Kings play in Washington Tuesday night, and the Bruins and Stars meet later in the evening's 22-team slate.
General Sports
Last updated: October 21, 2026, 6:50 PM ET
NBA
LeBron James scored 14 points on his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers as they beat the Knicks on opening night. The Celtics extended their form in a separate test of contenders, while the WNBA Finals took center stage as the Dream evened the series with a 30-point, 16-rebound performance from Angel Reese.
WNBA Finals
Reese's redemption effort included 30 points and 16 rebounds, while Allisha Gray added 18 points as Atlanta beat the Valkyries at Ballhalla. The Valkyries lost for the first time at home this postseason. Several breakout stars have also finally gained recognition on the biggest stage, and Gabby Williams arrived for Game 2 showing her 49ers fandom.
College Football
Ohio State plans to play without the injured Julian Sayin for the rest of the postseason, with coach Ryan Day declining to give a timeline. Auburn dismissed linebacker Xavier Atkins, who plans to enter the transfer portal. BYU's win over Notre Dame lifted the Cougars to No. 2, and the CFP bubble picture remains wide open at midseason. Notre Dame rose to the top of the odds boards after a chaotic Week, and the bowl projections shifted sharply. The Big 12 commissioner said the league would find a new event if the CFP ends conference title games. Jeremiah Smith leads the midseason awards conversation.
Rugby
Scotland will face the All Blacks in New Zealand for the first time in 27 years. Wales boss Steve Tandy named uncapped Dragons backs Aneurin Owen and Che Hope in his squad, and Tandy defended his tough selection calls. Taulupe Faletau remains a World Cup contender in Tandy's view. Aicha Sutcliffe makes her first Scotland start against Australia. England's Brad O'Neill rejected claims that his side were underprepared for the World Cup. Saracens owner Dominic Silvester backed CEO Ed Coetzee amid chaos claims.
Cricket
Temba Bavuma's 179 drags South Africa back into their Test series against Australia.
Tennis & Snooker
Iga Swiatek ends her season early after failing to qualify for the WTA Finals, calling it her most demanding year. Mark Allen lost to Jordan Brown on his return and is considering retirement. Ronnie O'Sullivan faces a battle to stay in the world's top.
Motorsport & Other
Kimi Antonelli nears F1 history as he approaches becoming the youngest world champion. Nearly $1 million in trading cards was stolen from a FedEx truck in California. The Florida Bar suspended an employee over comments made to a Miami football player. South Carolina topped the AP women's preseason poll, while Florida sits at No. 1 in the men's preseason Top.
Coming Up
The WNBA Finals continue with the series now tied. Champions League action kicks off with Dortmund in action on Tuesday.