Sports 24-Hour Briefing
×Formula 1
Last updated: October 19, 2026, 4:30 PM ET
Driver Development
McLaren has kept Leonardo Fornaroli on as its Formula 1 reserve driver while handing him a World Endurance Championship programme role for 2027.
Future Talent
Six Saudi Arabian high school students are taking part in a competition building pipeline aimed at developing the next generation of F1 engineers.
Football/Soccer
Last updated: October 19, 2026, 4:31 PM ET
Premier League
Arsenal edged out Nottingham Forest 1-0 thanks to a Noni Madueke winner off the bench, though Mikel Arteta blamed Forest's tactics for a blunt display that produced only one shot on target. Madueke's anger and conviction has been praised as proof he is more than a finisher. Brighton thrashed Crystal Palace 5-0, prompting Pierre Sage to admit he felt "shame," while Diego Gómez's 557-yard goal headed the league's long-range rankings. Fabian Hürzeler urged Brighton fans to enjoy a beer rather than fixate on the table, and the club's free-scoring start has prompted talk of genuine title credentials, though a point apiece with Manchester United was the outcome in their latest meeting.
Manchester United
Manchester United's worst start since 1986 has left them with seven points from seven games, and Michael Carrick said the situation doesn't look great. Attention has turned to who could replace Carrick if the slide continues. Harry Maguire insisted the dressing room has moved on from a rant aimed at Martínez, and the club is reportedly weighing a move for Parrott. Bruno Fernandes is also linked with an exit to Galatasaray.
Manchester City
Antoine Semenyo faces an eight-week layoff, with Erling Haaland a doubt, and Enzo Maresca is weighing his attacking options ahead of Tuesday's match. Despite an uncertain off-field future, City have carried on as usual on the pitch.
Chelsea & Tottenham
Jordan Henderson, the league's oldest player at, has become an undroppable figure for Chelsea during their clean-sheet revival. At Tottenham, Roberto De Zerbi has banned phones at mealtimes to build team spirit, and Dejan Kulusevski is back in the squad after 526 days out.
La Liga & Champions League
Real Madrid cruised past Sevilla 4-1, with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice. José Mourinho urged an end to the "obsession" over Arda Güler's elbow. Barcelona face PSG without Eric García and Jules Koundé, and Luis Enrique says PSG will stop Lamine Yamal by keeping the ball away from him. AC Milan held off an Atalanta fightback to win 3-2, keeping Amorim unbeaten in Serie A. Northampton became the first Premiership side to win in this season's Champions Cup.
Scotland
Celtic thrashed Hearts 7-1 while Rangers dropped points at Dundee, and Brendan O'Neill downplayed the scoreline, insisting four points is nothing. Celtic's Jota admitted he met "demons" during his injury lay-off, while Hearts' Wouter Vrancken faces questions over his response to the defeat. Celtic are on alert for a January move as a summer target rejects a new deal.
Governance & Other
UEFA has given Gianni Infantino a two-week deadline to release key documents, and his apology at FIFA's Council has not made his reelection certain. Saido Berahino has retired at 33, and Morgan Gibbs-White was fined after ignoring police letters about a red-light offence. Mbappé and Yamal are being weighed up in the Ballon d'Or race.
Coming Up
Manchester City face Tuesday's match with Haaland a doubt. Barcelona meet PSG in the Champions League ahead of the Clásico.
NBA Basketball
Last updated: October 19, 2026, 4:31 PM ET
2026-27 Season Preview
The NBA is back, and ESPN's experts are already weighing in on the big questions, from whether the Spurs or Thunder will emerge from the West to whether the Knicks can reach the Finals. For a full team-by-team breakdown, all 30 franchises have been ranked with predictions for the season ahead.
Injury Concerns
Kings guard Ben Simmons suffered a torn Achilles tendon and will undergo surgery, ending his season before it begins. The Wizards also face uncertainty, as No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa left the preseason finale with an ankle injury and will be evaluated. In Golden State, Stephen Curry tweaked his right ankle in practice, but Steve Kerr said the superstar is "fine."
Roster Moves and Contracts
The Knicks waived Bruce Brown while keeping James Wiseman on the roster ahead of the season opener. The Thunder locked up guard Cason Wallace with a five-year, $139M extension, while the Suns signed center Oso Ighodaro to a three-year, $29M extension. The 76ers, short on frontcourt help, converted 7-foot-6 center Tacko Fall to a two-way contract.
Off the Court
Kevin Durant fired back at Suns owner Mat Ishbia on social media after Ishbia framed Phoenix's tenure in a way Durant disputed, making the feud a public one as the season approaches.
Coming Up
The season opener is imminent, with the Knicks set to open with Wiseman on the roster. Dybantsa's ankle will be checked before he is cleared for action.
NFL Football
Last updated: October 19, 2026, 4:31 PM ET
Trade Deadline & Front Office Shake-ups
The Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard one day after a home loss to the previously winless Titans, with fans booing and calling for his removal throughout the game. Coach Shane Steichen defended the crowd, saying he didn't blame them. In Washington, questions are mounting around coach Dan Quinn after an embarrassing tie with the Giants, as the Commanders' direction is being scrutinized. Elsewhere, the Falcons are signing quarterback Andy Dalton and releasing Michael Rush, according to ESPN sources.
Injuries & Roster Blows
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will miss the rest of the season after doctors discovered blood clots in his lungs, and Philadelphia has placed him on injured reserve. Chargers receiver Ladd McConkey exited with a concussion in his first action since a Week 4 foot injury, while Patriots receiver Romeo Doubs was hurt on a 42-yard touchdown catch. Rams kicker Blake Grupe left a game with an injury, and punter Ethan Evans stepped in to nail a go-ahead extra point before the Cardinals rallied. The Packers' defense, meanwhile, is taking flight even without Micah Parsons, who is recovering from a torn ACL.
Week 6 Results
The Steelers beat the Saints in overtime as Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdowns to tie Peyton Manning on the all-time list. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams returned strong from injury, completing 30 of 36 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown, while cornerback Kyler Gordon made a major impact with three sacks in his season debut. The Packers topped the Cowboys 23-13 on the strength of third-down stops and takeaways. Chad Ryland kicked six field goals, including a game-winning 43-yarder, to lift the Cardinals over the Rams. The Titans stunned the Colts for their first win of the season, with Jeffery Simmons credited for his play and halftime leadership. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes earned his 100th win with Kansas City, tying Tom Brady for the fastest to that mark.
Standouts & Setbacks
Jaguars receiver Travis Hunter had a historic day at Wembley, becoming the first player since 2002 to record an interception and a touchdown catch in the same game, though Jacksonville still lost. Ravens running back Derrick Henry took the blame for a fourth-quarter fumble that led to Cleveland's only touchdown. Jets receiver Garrett Wilson was frustrated after catching just four passes in a 26-19 loss to New England, and Patriots receiver A.J. Brown had a career-high three drops in his return from an ankle sprain. Browns receiver Jerry Jeudy made a clutch catch that earned him the game ball. Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble apologized for a taunt that cost his team a penalty, admitting it was payback for a suplex by Eagles defender Dejean.
Fantasy & Free Agency
Eric Karabell ranked the top available free agents, led by Stroud and Miller, while Malik Nabers, Kenneth Walker III and Trevor Lawrence came up big in Week 6 as Derrick Henry and others disappointed. Early lines for the upcoming slate have also been examined for immediate value once odds were released.
Coming Up
The Week 7 game between the Saints and Steelers in Paris remains on despite civil unrest in France, with the NFL confirming the matchup will proceed on Oct. 26. The Packers' Micah Parsons is nearing a return from his torn ACL.
MLB Baseball
Last updated: October 19, 2026, 4:31 PM ET
ALCS Showdown
The Tampa Bay Rays took control of the American League Championship Series with a pivotal Game 5 win in Cleveland on Sunday, and Tampa Bay now sits one victory away from the World Series. Earlier, Rays starter Drew Rasmussen delivered a gem as the club beat the Guardians 3-1 to take a 3-2 series lead. Cleveland, facing elimination on the road, returns to Tropicana Field with a weary roster after a Game 3 rainout removed the usual travel day.
Rays Turnaround
Freddy Peralta has become a central figure in Tampa Bay's run, reviving a career that stalled during a difficult stint with the Mets. The Rays took a chance on the two-time All-Star, and his turnaround may now carry the club into the Fall Classic.
Guardians' Deadline Gamble
Cleveland's season was reshaped by a rare go-for-it approach at the August trade deadline, a move that kept the Guardians playing deep into October. One Cleveland player described the energy the moves created, calling the experience one he was "ecstatic" about.
Front Office Moves
The Baltimore Orioles hired Jared Banner, a former Cubs assistant general manager, as their new GM.
Coming Up
Game 6 of the ALCS decides whether Tampa Bay reaches the World Series, with Cleveland fighting to force a Game.
NHL Hockey
Last updated: October 19, 2026, 4:31 PM ET
Trades & Roster Moves
Winnipeg is still waiting on a potential trade as Connor Hellebuyck's suspension nears its end, and the Jets are preparing for a difficult stretch without their starter.
Goaltending Watch
Dylan Garand is living an NHL goalie's dream after injuries to Igor Shesterkin pushed the 24-year-old into the spotlight.
Scoring Highlights
The Panthers made franchise and league history, becoming the first team with natural hat tricks in three straight games, with Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett each scoring three goals.
Monday's Slate
Four games are on the schedule, and previews, stats and betting info are available for each matchup.
General Sports
Last updated: October 19, 2026, 4:31 PM ET
Basketball
Golden State took a 1-0 lead over Atlanta in the WNBA Finals, holding court 68-64 in Game. Natalie Nakase's hypercompetitive, detail-obsessed style has been central to the Valkyries' rise, with one profile describing a basketball obsessive who texts at 4 a.m. and watches endless film. On the NBA side, ESPN previewed the 2026-27 betting storylines, including superteams, long shots and the MVP race.
College Football
Miami climbed to No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2002, with BYU moving up to No. 2 after a chaotic Week. Miami survived two Hail Mary attempts from Florida State to win a double-overtime thriller. Bill Connelly described an upset-filled Saturday unlike almost any other, and ESPN's Week 7 power rankings reflect the shakeup. Playoff projections were redrawn, with analysts examining how the selection committee could rank the top teams and how bowl and CFP projections shifted after the wild week.
Off the field, Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart was arrested early Sunday on a DUI charge. Maryland fired defensive coordinator Ted Monachino after a five-game slide. Florida State lost running back Ousmane Kromah for the season with an ankle injury. Oregon's Dylan Raiola rebounded from a week on the bench to lead the Ducks past his former team. The Big 12 admitted an error in the Notre Dame-BYU ending, saying the Irish had one second left.
Other Sport
Ruoning Yin won the LPGA Shanghai by one stroke after a late birdie. Tyler Reddick won in Phoenix as Kyle Larson failed to finish, tightening the NASCAR playoff race. Shane Lowry moved to Boston Common in TGL's first trade. Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili meet again at UFC 333 in a rare trilogy bout. Duke cornerback Kimari Robinson apologized for swatting away a trainer's arm as she checked on an injured player.
Rugby & Boxing
Former Wales captain Ieuan Evans is stepping down as British and Irish Lions chairman, and the Lions are looking for a successor. Wales boss Steve Tandy's squad selection drew late claims from several Dragons, Ospreys, Scarlets and Cardiff players. Northampton's security incident at Franklin's Gardens is believed to have been a hoax. Former world champion Liam Smith was charged over an alleged attack in which a man was left with serious facial injuries.
Coming Up
Dalton Smith defends his WBC light-welterweight title against Puello. Over 400 gymnasts from 84 nations compete at the World Championships in a bid for Olympic places.