Sports 8-Hour Briefing
×Formula 1
Last updated: October 17, 2026, 4:20 PM ET
Formula 1
Gabriel Bortoleto is assessing autosport.com his own progress as fellow young drivers Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar enjoy breakthrough moments in the sport.
Football/Soccer
Last updated: October 19, 2026, 4:31 PM ET
Celtic and Jota
Celtic winger Jota admits he met some demons during a long injury absence, but says he has come back stronger and more grateful. Jota told BBC Sport he wrestled with the mental toll of time out of the game and believes it has sharpened his outlook.
Glentoran and Ferguson
Duncan Ferguson has promised to give Glentoran everything as he takes charge at the Oval, targeting a return to the club's glory days.
Uefa and Fifa
Uefa has given Gianni Infantino a two-week deadline to release key documents, demanding that Fifa make the material available.
Formula One
Toto Wolff is bracing for a full-on fight as an in-form Max Verstappen and Red Bull mount a resurgence.
Premier League
Manchester City face a Semenyo blow espn.com, with Antoine Semenyo ruled out for around eight weeks, though Erling Haaland is hopeful of featuring. Enzo Maresca is weighing his attacking options for Tuesday's Champions League clash. Brighton's free-scoring start has prompted questions about whether they are genuine title contenders. Arsenal were criticised after a blunt display, with Mikel Arteta blaming Forest's tactics espn.com after the side managed only one shot on target. Defending champions Arsenal say they will attack the title espn.com, though their attacking output has yet to match the ambition.
Manchester United
Man United have endured their worst start since 1986 espn.com, collecting just seven points from seven games. Michael Carrick called the weekend draw at Leeds a fresh start, while questions mount over who could replace him espn.com. Harry Maguire insisted the dressing room has moved on espn.com from the Martínez row.
Serie A and Portugal
AC Milan held off espn.com an Atalanta fightback to win 3-2 at San Siro, keeping Amorim's side unbeaten in Serie A. In Portugal, federation president Pedro Proença still believes Cristiano Ronaldo espn.com is key to the national team despite the ongoing row.
Real Madrid
José Mourinho has urged an end to the obsession espn.com over an elbow by Arda Güler after Real Madrid's win.
NFL and Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have fired general manager Chris Ballard after a poor start to the season. The Los Angeles Rams, billed as Super Bowl favourites, have lost again, raising questions about their form.
Women's Football
The Thorns snagged a point espn.com in a 2-2 draw with Bay FC on Sunday, despite the absence of Sophia Wilson, who served a suspension.
Other News
Former West Brom and Stoke striker Saido Berahino has retired at 33 bbc.co.uk. Morgan Gibbs-White has been fined bbc.co.uk after his car ran a red light.
Coming Up
Manchester City face Tuesday's Champions League clash with Haaland a doubt. Arsenal host Manchester United in December, with the north London derby also live on Sky.
NBA Basketball
Last updated: October 19, 2026, 4:31 PM ET
Season Previews
Expert picks are in for the new NBA season, with debate centering on whether the Spurs or Thunder espn.com will emerge from the West and whether the Knicks espn.com are ready to reach the Finals. ESPN has also ranked all 30 teams ahead of opening night, laying out what fans need to know about each roster.
Injury Updates
Kings guard Ben Simmons has suffered a torn Achilles tendon espn.com and will undergo surgery, ending his season before it begins. No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa left the Wizards' preseason finale with an ankle issue and will have it checked espn.com. Warriors star Stephen Curry tweaked his right ankle in practice, but coach Steve Kerr said he is fine espn.com.
Roster Moves
The Knicks are waiving espn.com Bruce Brown while keeping James Wiseman on the roster ahead of the season opener. The Thunder agreed to a five-year, $139M extension espn.com with All-Defensive guard Cason Wallace, and the Suns signed center Oso Ighodaro to a three-year, $29M extension espn.com.
Front Office Feud
Kevin Durant fired back espn.com at Suns owner Mat Ishbia on social media after Ishbia framed Phoenix's tenure in a way Durant rejected.
Coming Up
The season's expert predictions for the East, West and champion are laid out here espn.com, ahead of opening night.
NFL Football
Last updated: October 19, 2026, 4:31 PM ET
Week 6 Results and Standings
Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdowns espn.com to tie Peyton Manning on the all-time passing touchdown list, lifting Pittsburgh to an overtime win. The Packers defeated the Cowboys espn.com 23-13, leaning on third-down conversions and takeaways to frustrate a struggling Dallas offense. Chad Ryland kicked six field goals espn.com, including a game-winner from 43 yards as time expired, to power Arizona past the Rams. Caleb Williams returned espn.com from injury to complete 30 of 36 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown in Chicago's win over Atlanta.
Players in Focus
Malik Nabers, Kenneth Walker III and Trevor Lawrence came up big espn.com in Week, while several other fantasy options disappointed. Kyler Gordon made a strong season debut espn.com for the Bears, recording three sacks and silencing critics. A.J. Brown had a career-high three drops espn.com in his return for New England, and Garrett Wilson had only four catches espn.com in the Jets' 26-19 loss to the Patriots.
Injuries and Roster Moves
Jalen Hurts is out for the season after doctors discovered blood clots in his lungs. The Falcons are signing Andy Dalton and releasing Michael Penix's backup, according to sources. In Indianapolis, the Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard one day after a home loss to the Titans. Micah Parsons is nearing a return from a torn ACL, with Green Bay's defense performing well in his absence.
Coaching Hot Seats
Questions continue to swirl espn.com around Washington after an embarrassing tie with the Giants. Jim Harbaugh declined to address espn.com questions about McDaniel, saying the Chargers, now 0-6, will "have to address everything." In New York, John Harbaugh would not name espn.com a starting quarterback or running back after a home loss to New Orleans.
Rams and Bills
The Rams have sunk espn.com to last in the NFC West at 2-4 after a run of disappointing results. In Buffalo, C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected espn.com for a spitting incident in the Bills' victory over the Raiders, and he expects no further discipline. Josh Allen made an acrobatic play on a touchdown pass to Keon Coleman, a moment he admitted left him uncertain about the fans' reaction.
Weekly Analysis
Our reporters weighed in on espn.com the biggest storylines from Week, including the wins for Buffalo, Cleveland, Green Bay and Arizona. Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble apologized espn.com for a taunt that cost his team a penalty, admitting it was payback for a suplex by Eagles defender DeJean.
Coming Up
Early lines for Week 7 are already posted, with several games flagged as offering immediate value. Free agency options such as Stroud and Miller lead the list of players worth adding to fantasy rosters.
MLB Baseball
Last updated: October 19, 2026, 4:31 PM ET
ALCS
The Tampa Bay Rays took a 3-2 series lead espn.com with a 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday night, and Game 5 takeaways espn.com show Tampa Bay now sits one win from the World Series. Cleveland, which faces elimination espn.com on the road after a Game 3 rainout left the weary club without a travel day, is fighting to extend the series.
Guardians
Cleveland's season has been shaped by a bold trade deadline espn.com approach in August that pushed the club deep into October. Manager and players have framed the moment as a return to the identity of a team that thrives under pressure.
Rays
Freddy Peralta has been a key piece of Tampa Bay's run, with the right-hander turning his career around espn.com after a difficult stint with the Mets.
Front Office
The Baltimore Orioles hired Jared Banner, a former Cubs assistant GM, as their new general manager.
Coming Up
Game 6 of the ALCS is set for Cleveland, where a Tampa Bay win would send the Rays to the World Series.
NHL Hockey
Last updated: October 19, 2026, 4:31 PM ET
Trades and Roster Moves
With no trade yet and his suspension nearing its end, Connor Hellebuyck espn.com could soon rejoin the Jets, as Winnipeg players prepare for a difficult stretch. Dylan Garand espn.com is enjoying a breakout opportunity after injuries to Igor Shesterkin pushed him into the spotlight, though the 24-year-old's run may be short-lived.
Game Results and Records
The Panthers made NHL history espn.com as Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett each scored three goals, making Florida the first team to record natural hat tricks in three straight games.
Monday's Slate
Four games are on the docket, and previews, stats and betting information espn.com are available for each matchup.
Coming Up
Hellebuyck's suspension ends soon espn.com, and his return to the Jets lineup depends on whether a trade materializes first.
General Sports
Last updated: October 19, 2026, 4:31 PM ET
Golf
Boston Common Golf has acquired former Open Championship winner Shane Lowry from The Bay Golf Club in TGL's first trade.
College Football
Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham is withholding whether Tommy Carr or Bryce Underwood will start at quarterback against No. 6 Indiana. Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart, the team's leading receiver, was arrested espn.com early Sunday on a drunk driving charge.
Duke cornerback Kimari Robinson apologized espn.com after swatting away a trainer's arm while she checked on an injured player during the UNC game. Bill Connelly breaks down espn.com an upset-filled Week 7 that he describes as one of the wildest Saturdays in recent memory.
Miami has taken over espn.com the top spot in the latest Power Rankings, with two teams joining the top 25 after big wins and shocking upsets. ESPN's playoff analysis assesses espn.com how the selection committee could order the top contenders, with Miami and Ohio State leading the race. Bowl and CFP projections were also reshuffled espn.com following the chaotic week.
WNBA
Golden State held court espn.com to win Game 1 of the WNBA Finals 68-64, taking a 1-0 series lead over the Atlanta Dream. ESPN also profiles Natalie Nakase, whose hypercompetitive style has driven the Valkyries' success.
Boxing & MMA
Former world champion Liam Smith has been charged bbc.co.uk over an alleged attack in which he is accused of inflicting serious facial injuries on a man. At UFC, Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili meet in a trilogy bout, one of only 19 in UFC history.
Rugby
Ieuan Evans steps down bbc.co.uk as British and Irish Lions chairman, leaving the role vacant. Glasgow assistant coach Nigel Carolan says former Scotland captain Ritchie is finally set for his debut for the club. England captain Harry Brook reflects bbc.co.uk on the lessons learned from his off-field issues.
Other Sport
Police are investigating bbc.co.uk a security incident at Franklin's Gardens during Northampton's game against Cardiff, which is believed to be a hoax. Bradley Wiggins' son Ben has signed his first professional contract. Tennis star Elina Svitolina says the emotional toll of the Ukraine war led to her separation from Gael Monfils.
NBA
ESPN's David Purdum previews espn.com the biggest betting storylines heading into the 2026-27 season, including superteams, long shots and the MVP race.
Coming Up
The 2026-27 NBA season brings espn.com its superteam and MVP storylines into focus. Michigan's starting quarterback decision remains ahead of the clash with No. 6 Indiana.