General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: May 20, 2026, 5:52 PM ET

Cricket & Rugby

England opened their T20 World Cup campaign with a commanding seven-wicket victory over New Zealand, powered by Alice Capsey's unbeaten 74 and Lauren Bell's figures of 2 for, though questions remain about fitness, selection and form with six group-stage matches ahead. Across the water, Scotland's tour of Nepal ended on a sour note as they suffered a heavy ODI defeat to the USA, compounding problems for a squad already missing several key players. In rugby, Ulster will be without Iain Henderson, Stuart McCloskey, Rob Herring and Jacob Stockdale for Friday's Challenge Cup final against Montpellier, though head coach Steve Borthwick insists his job is to build the best possible team after calling up former Baby Bok Benhard Janse van Rensburg. Ulster also confirmed the appointment of former New Zealand international Clarke Dermody as their new forwards coach, adding depth to a squad chasing its first trophy since the 2006 Celtic League triumph.

Cycling & Motorsport

Ecuador's Jhonatan Narvaez claimed stage 11 of the Giro d'Italia as teammate Eulalio retained the overall lead, continuing an extraordinary run by his team through the mountains of Italy. Meanwhile, Spanish cyclist Jaume Guardeno was transferred to a neurological clinic after a vehicle crash in March, raising serious concerns about his long-term wellbeing. On the roads of the US, Kevin Harvick was voted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, capping a career that began under a cloud of controversy but now shines in the broadcast booth. And in a heartbreaking retirement announcement, South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow walked away from the NRL at age 30 after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

Tennis & MMA

Britain's Toby Samuel moved one win away from a first Grand Slam singles appearance at the French Open after beating David Goffin in qualifying, while leading players on the ATP tour are preparing to limit pre-French Open media commitments to 15 minutes in protest over prize money. In the MMA world, Ronda Rousey's return bout against Gina Carano drew 17 million viewers on Netflix, setting a record for an MMA event. That number underscores the broader cultural reckoning underway as the so-called Enhanced Games, billed as a 'Steroid Olympics,' forced sport and wider society to confront uncomfortable questions about performance enhancement.

Golf

LIV Golf is pressing ahead with a new business model for potential investors despite reports that the league is laying groundwork for potential bankruptcy in the United States. On the PGA Tour, analysts at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson are weighing Scheffler's odds and the traits bettors should target in the field, while the fallout from the PGA Championship at Aronimink has left Aaron Rai searching for direction and several contenders to the US Open in June. Elsewhere, the Big Ten commissioner laid out his case for a 24-team College Football Playoff model, signaling that the league sees no interest in a smaller bracket.

College Sports

The transfer portal continues to reshape college football as quarterback competitions at Alabama and Tennessee become increasingly rare when starters are locked in by portal investments. Former college coach Tommy Tuberville won the Republican nomination for Alabama governor, adding a political dimension to his already polarizing profile. In basketball, Eve Long, the No. 5 overall recruit and top forward in the 2027 SC Next Super, committed to Notre Dame on Wednesday, while Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. kept his name in the NBA draft. Kentucky and Gonzaga mutually agreed to discontinue their men's basketball series two seasons early, ending a matchup that had become a recruiting showcase. Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel is seeking more steadiness around the program after a period that featured national titles but also high-profile controversies. The NAACP launched an "Out of Bounds" campaign urging Black athletes and fans to boycott public universities over voting restrictions, while Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti's endorsement of a 24-team playoff makes clear the league's appetite for expanded access.

Team Building & Ice Hockey

Glamorgan captain Kiran Carlson signed a two-year extension keeping him at the club through the end of the 2028 season, providing continuity for a Welsh side looking to compete at the highest level. Cardiff City secured the long-term signing of left-back Joel Bagan just before he was due to become a free agent. In ice hockey, Great Britain were brushed aside 5-0 by Hungary in their third match at the 2026 World Championship in Switzerland, struggling to contain an increasingly dominant European side. Liverpool has been awarded the right to host the 2030 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, marking a major international sporting event for the city.

WNBA & Emerging Talent

The WNBA's offseason has produced significant roster moves, with draftees, trade acquisitions and free agents reshaping the league's competitive landscape. Chicago Sky cracked the top five in ESPN's power rankings after a dramatic reversal from last season's collapse, though injuries remain a concern. Eighteen stay-or-go decisions ahead of the 2026 NBA draft could reshape the college basketball landscape, while Kansas baseball has risen to one of the sport's top programs by scouring the junior college ranks for talent. A 14-second video released by Missouri showed Ahmad Hardy, the All-America running back shot in Mississippi, back in Columbia just over a week after the incident, beginning his recovery and potential return to the field.