Sports 24-Hour Briefing
×Formula 1
Last updated: October 21, 2026, 11:22 PM ET
Regulations
The FIA's World Motor Sport Council has approved new rules designed to close a loophole in the F1 cost cap that teams had been exploiting.
Driver Standings
Reigning champion Lando Norris has vowed to make better decisions after fresh talks followed his clash with Oscar Piastri at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Football/Soccer
Last updated: October 22, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
Champions League
Como stunned Manchester United with a 4-1 win, and Cesc Fàbregas and Nico Paz dedicated the historic result to their loyal fans. Carragher slammed Bruno Fernandes for questioning the club's tactics, while Fernandes blamed head coach Michael Carrick for the defeat. Carrick himself apologised for his players' abysmal display, and Brighton boss Hurzeler is reportedly Alan Shearer's pick to replace him.
Real Madrid beat Leipzig 4-1, with Mbappé and Diomande on the scoresheet. Aston Villa won 3-1 against Viking to make it three wins from three in Europe. Arsenal drew 2-2 at Bayern Munich, with Declan Rice's 82nd-minute equaliser saving a point, and Harry Kane continued to build his Ballon d'Or case. Barcelona lost 4-2 at PSG despite their perfect start, and PSG's Kvaratskhelia faces surgery after rupturing his ACL. Barcelona have reported PSG to UEFA over an "overly aggressive" tifo.
Premier League & Injuries
Manchester City faces a watchdog ruling after the Independent Football Regulator's chair claimed "absolute power" to force a sale. Arsenal's Bukayo Saka picked up a quadriceps injury that Mikel Arteta says "does not look good." Leicester, 10th in League One, face Oxford City in the FA Cup first round, and Barcelona's Dani Olmo could miss a month with an adductor problem.
Transfers & Club News
Arsenal are monitoring Club Brugge's Tresoldi, while Chelsea are targeting Brighton's Ayari. AC Milan backed a fan boycott over excessive away ticket prices. Bertrand is leading an £87m bid for AFC Wimbledon, and Sevilla have lodged a complaint with LaLiga after their defeat to Real Madrid.
MLS & Other Competitions
St. Louis City won the US Open Cup, claiming the first trophy in club history, though goalkeeper Roman Bürki was stretchered off after a collision. Bournemouth marked their rise from Bury to AC Milan. Ronaldo missed a penalty on his first appearance since his suspension.
Ballon d'Or
Kane says he would prefer to know the result before Monday's reveal, and Yamal and Mbappé are locked in one of the tightest contests in years. ESPN is testing its predictions against the awards.
Coming Up
Real Madrid face Barcelona in Sunday's Clásico. The Ballon d'Or is revealed Monday.
NBA Basketball
Last updated: October 22, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
Opening Night Results
Anthony Edwards dropped 40 points in another opener and joined Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan as the only players to do so in a season opener. Tyrese Haliburton returned from his Achilles tear to lead an emotional Pacers win over the Pelicans, and Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points in his Toronto return as the Raptors routed the Bulls 135-92.
In Portland, Damian Lillard received a warm welcome in his first regular-season game back with the Trail Blazers. Kyrie Irving was held to 15 points as Houston trapped him in the Rockets' win over Dallas.
Sixers, Knicks and Wizards
LeBron James opened his 24th season with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists as Philadelphia rallied past New York. Joel Embiid was all over the place with three blocks and is targeting an All-Defensive season. The Knicks raised their title banner before the game, and coach Mike Brown said he would have felt uneasy with the win given New York's play.
In Washington, Anthony Davis drew MVP chants from an eager crowd in a strong debut for the Wizards.
Heat, Rockets and Wolves
Giannis Antetokounmpo said the Heat must trust each other more after an opening night blowout loss to Minnesota. Rockets reserve Tari Eason was ejected in the first quarter after shoving Dallas's Washington in the back. In Minnesota, the new LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards backcourt opened the season with plenty of promise.
Wembanyama and Opening Day
Victor Wembanyama started 0-for-12 in a career-worst shooting night and didn't record a bucket until late in the third quarter. Results from the season's opening day tripleheader span Detroit to San Antonio, and Thunder center Chet Holmgren had teammates rally around him after a scuffle in the season opener.
Roster Moves and Trade Talk
The Mavericks agreed to a two-way deal with former first-round pick Walter Clayton Jr. The Warriors are exploring trade options for veteran center Kristaps Porzingis.
Lakers Focus
Luka Dončić took out a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times, declaring the Lakers' title run starts now and asking for fan support. ESPN laid out the five biggest questions still facing Dončić and the Lakers after a transformative offseason.
Coming Up
The Pacers and Pelicans meet in the early stages of a new season, with Haliburton's workload being watched closely. ESPN's fantasy experts have published bold predictions for the 2026-27 campaign.
NFL Football
Last updated: October 22, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
Coaching & Front Office
Nick Sirianni was fined $250,000 for conduct toward officials, a source said, one of three coaches penalized. Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the presence of the Giants' Steve Tisch and the 49ers' Jed York at the league's fall meeting. In Indianapolis, the case for keeping Shane Steichen is being weighed now that GM Chris Ballard is gone.
Quarterbacks
The Giants will start J.J. McCarthy over Jameis Winston this weekend against the Texans, and John Harbaugh's options were laid out in a side-by-side look at both players. Commanders coach Dan Quinn said he addressed a fourth-down throwaway with Jayden Daniels. Goodell also welcomed an investigation into the medical care Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts received.
Injuries & Roster Moves
Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin suffered a torn patellar tendon that ends his season. Patriots starting guards Alijah Vera-Tucker and Ben Brown are both out against the Bears. The Panthers expect to be without linebacker Jaelan Phillips, per Dave Canales, for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay. The Rams signed kicker Brandon McManus, their third kicker in three weeks. The Steelers brought back Marquez Valdes-Scantling amid receiver injuries, and the Bears ruled out running back Kyle Monangai for Thursday's game against New England.
Discipline & Off-Field
The Titans released Jordan Elliott abruptly over an undisclosed facility incident, and coach Robert Saleh defended him, saying the gun episode was not a criminal act. Bills defensive back Sam Franklin Jr. was suspended one game for spitting in the Raiders game. Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper said there were no excuses for his arrests. Giants running back Najee Harris was released days after a two-yard start.
Fantasy & Lineups
Josh Jacobs' return raises the question of whether he should be started in Week 7 lineups. Jacobs himself apologized to the Packers for the situation his arrest created. Tight end Sam LaPorta said he will "go get paid somewhere else" if the Lions don't offer a deal.
Power Rankings & Analysis
ESPN's Week 7 power rankings rank all 32 teams with each team's biggest offensive issue. Among the week's broader takes, Colts coach Shane Steichen's future and Eagles trade candidates were discussed. Trade and contract buzz around the Seahawks' Sam Darnold and the Commanders' Vita Vea also surfaced. Field Yates projected next year's top 10 picks, with three quarterbacks going early. Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy is thriving in an expanded role. Texans receiver Tank Dell said he is ready to be tackled in his first game since December 2024.
Tributes & Milestones
Cornell Green, a five-time Pro Bowl defensive back on the Cowboys' Doomsday Defense, died at 86. The Chiefs mourned Allen Bailey, a former player found dead at. Jalon Daniels swapped jerseys with his idol Aaron Rodgers after Pittsburgh's 26-19 overtime win. The Saints' Mickey Loomis asked for patience with his young team.
Lions & Rams
The Lions hope Brian Branch's return will transform their defense, with center Cade Mays also back for Sunday. The Rams, at 2-4, have fallen short of high expectations.
Coming Up
The Bears and Patriots meet Thursday night, and U2 will headline the first Thanksgiving Eve halftime show.
MLB Baseball
Last updated: October 21, 2026, 11:10 PM ET
World Series Set: Brewers vs. Rays
The Rays clinched the American League pennant with a win over the Guardians, with Junior Caminero hitting his first career postseason home run off an All-Star starter and trotting the bases in a memorable 38.7-second stroll. Freddy Peralta was named ALCS MVP after pitching Tampa Bay into the Fall Classic, riding his fastball throughout the series. Cleveland's title drought now stretches to 78 years after the Guardians ran out of gas in the decisive stretch.
Small-Ball Narrative
Both finalists are small-market clubs that have built success without leaning on home runs, and ESPN examined how well that storyline fits each team. The Rays' internal approach has been described as a process-driven operation that players fully trust. Milwaukee's rise came as a surprise, as the Brewers and Rays both began the regular season as long championship underdogs, a result that left sportsbooks carrying significant liability on the matchup.
Brewers Fans
Milwaukee supporters who cashed in on a 2015 promotion have voiced frustration over how World Series seats were allocated, and the club says it is working to make amends. Family members of longtime broadcaster Bob Uecker said he would be incredibly proud of this Brewers squad.
Yankees
General manager Brian Cashman agreed to a new contract to remain in his post, while owner Hal Steinbrenner placed blame on the offense. Manager Aaron Boone dismissed calls for a culture change, saying the clubhouse remains a strength, and a source reports that Boone will return in 2027 for his 10th season.
Athletics and Angels
Athletics owner John Fisher hired a young leader, arguing that the world is run by 31-year-olds today. In Anaheim, Kurt Suzuki will not return as Angels manager after a 100-loss season.
Injuries and Transactions
Shohei Ohtani will not require surgery for any ailment he dealt with this past season, and the Dodgers fully expect him to pitch next year. The price of a qualifying offer for this year's free agents rose 5.1% to $23.15M. Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato, is seeking an MLB move through the posting system. An Ohio bettor was banned by regulators after allegedly making violent threats against a Blue Jays manager.
Coming Up
The World Series opens with the Rays and Brewers battling for a first championship trophy for either franchise. Where the matchup ranks among recent Fall Classics has already drawn attention, since this series guarantees a first-time winner.
NHL Hockey
Last updated: October 22, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
Flyers and Kings Stories
Rookie forward Cole Knuble scored twice to help the Philadelphia Flyers win, with his father watching from the stands. The Flyers' victory came as Knuble made his NHL debut on Monday night, a moment that carried extra meaning for the son of former NHL forward Mike Knuble. The Los Angeles Kings finally snapped their losing streak with a 5-2 win over the Capitals, though the Kings lost forward Byfield to an upper-body injury.
Penguins and Trade News
Penguins forward Ben Kindel was evaluated at a Salt Lake City hospital after a medical emergency on a flight. Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin's trade search has expanded to 10 teams, according to a source, after his trade request became public last June.
Tkachuk Storyline
Brady Tkachuk, traded from Ottawa to Florida in June, says he will donate the Senators jerseys that fans threw in protest. Tkachuk is preparing for his return to Ottawa with the Panthers, calling it a game he expects to be fun.
Power Rankings and Previews
The Boston Bruins, led by goaltender Jeremy Swayman, continue to stand out in a tough Atlantic Division. Wednesday's slate is light, and previews for Sabres-Flyers and Senators-Panthers highlight the key storylines in each matchup.
Coming Up
Tkachuk returns to Ottawa with the Panthers on Wednesday night. Sabres and Flyers also meet on Wednesday in a game previewed by ESPN.
General Sports
Last updated: October 22, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
WNBA Finals
The Dream took a 2-1 series lead after a 97-71 Game 3 win, with Angel Reese posting another double-double as Atlanta rolled. The margin was 26 points over the Valkyries, a result that reflects how completely the Dream controlled the series. Several players are finally getting noticed on the sport's biggest stage, as six breakout performers step into the spotlight. Atlanta's run traces back to a World Cup training camp in Boca, where the team's preparation took shape. Off the court, Enes Kanter Freedom was denied entry to Game 3 after refusing a suite offered by the club.
College Basketball
Kansas fans crossed a line, according to coach Bill Self, after profanity was aimed at former Jayhawk Flory Bidunga during his return with Louisville. Hall of Fame coach Bob Huggins revealed a progressive cognitive condition. Preseason honors were also handed out, with Florida's Thomas Haugh and Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. near-unanimous picks for All-America status. Jay Bilas named his top players to watch, while analysts also predicted the conference player of the year across all 32 leagues.
NBA
Opening night brought surprises, with Brian Windhorst noting that LeBron was moved to center as Philadelphia won on the road. Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg said he lost all respect for Luka Doncic after a testy matchup.
College Football
Maryland fired Mike Locksley after a 12-game Big Ten slide, and the program has begun weighing its top candidates. Week 7 upsets reshaped the landscape, with several top programs landing in the Bottom 10. The playoff picture is wide open at midseason, as the bubble watch and updated bowl projections make clear. Kentucky's Will Stein has the Wildcats in the playoff conversation in his first season, and Oklahoma's offensive coordinator backed quarterback John Mateer despite recent turnovers. Pamela Maldonado broke down the Texas-Ole Miss matchup, focusing on Trinidad Chambliss. Fantasy and matchup analysts also reshuffled their rankings for the week's games.
Golf & Motorsport
Louis Oosthuizen left LIV Golf for the DP World Tour, saying he will return to the European circuit. Formula 1 will return to standard race distances in 2028.
Cricket
Australia face defeat in the second Test against South Africa after being dismissed for 99 in Gqeberha, with players described as playing for their careers. Lord's dug up one of its pitches for the first time after years of debate. Jamie Overton said he would consider an Ashes return if Joe Root asks.
Rugby
Saracens are in talks to extend Maro Itoje as Top 14 clubs circle. Ciaran Frawley's strong start at Connacht has raised the question of whether he could earn an Ireland fly-half start. Ulster duo Jamie Benson and James McNabney earned first Ireland call-ups. Jasmin Strange is ruled out of the Rugby League World Cup with a knee injury. Ellie Kildunne has been dropped to the bench as England make changes for their match against Canada.
Other Sport
Cliftonville manager Brendan Lynch said being stripped of the Women's League Cup is not comparable to Manchester City's situation. Katie Boulter reached the Japan Open quarter-finals with a quick win. Former Sale player Hyron Andrews died of a tear in an artery around the heart, an autopsy found. Beth Dobbin wrote to the Prime Minister urging ME research funding. Dr Anna Morris's medical career remains on pause for 2028. Archie Goodburn will deliver the match ball for Scotland v Australia. Phil Vickery has taken up bodybuilding at 50 after his World Cup-winning rugby career. MVP urged MMA fighters to unionise over pay, and Alexander Volkanovski said he is not scared of retirement or fighting at 40. Mark Allen spoke about a mental health clinic stay as he works toward a return.
Coming Up
The Dream face the Valkyries with a chance to take the WNBA Finals series lead. Maryland's coaching search continues as the Terps weigh their options.