General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: July 16, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Rugby Union & Soccer

Captain Dewi Lake has been picked by Wales to face the Springboks in Durban on Saturday for a Nations Championship match. In other rugby news, fit-again wing Robert Balouyne returns to the Ireland line-up for their highly anticipated match against New Zealand in Auckland. Meanwhile, Scarlets have secured the signing of 21-year-old former New Zealand U20 lock Tom Allen from Super Rugby Pacific champions the Hurricanes. On the soccer pitch, Lionel Messi to snatch a 2-1 victory for Argentina against England in the semifinals, sending them to a final against Spain. Sunderland have signed experienced Belgian World Cup defender Thomas Meunier.

Golf & Cycling

As the Open Championship approaches, experts are weighing in with their picks and betting advice, with discussions around favorites and value bets dominating the conversation. Scotland's Robert Mac Intyre believes he has a chance for glory at the event, feeling he is a much-improved golfer since his first Open Championship appearance in 2019. In cycling news, Soren Waerenskjold by surprising the field with a long-range sprint in the fastest stage in the race's history.

WNBA & College Football

Caitlin Clark expressed frustration following the Indiana Fever's 88-75 loss to the Valkyries, citing a missed call midway through the second quarter. In other WNBA news, the Indiana Fever, led by Kelsey Mitchell's sixth consecutive 25-point game, have climbed to fourth in the latest power rankings, while the Golden State team holds the top spot. The 2026 WNBA All-Star draft saw general managers Teresa Weatherspoon and Cynthia Cooper engaging in some lighthearted banter regarding team competitiveness during the conclusion. For college football, NC State's quarterback CJ Bailey is considered a strong contender for the country's best this upcoming season. New Miami quarterback Darian Mensah indicated that the success of Cam Ward and Carson Beck in Coral Gables was a significant factor in his transfer decision from Duke. The ACC has also for its football championship game, aiming to feature the league's two best teams.

Other Sports & Awards

The T20 Blast semi-finals will feature Somerset, Northants Steelbacks, Notts Outlaws, and Hampshire Hawks. West Indies completed a dominant 3-0 one-day international series win over Ireland. In a significant development, one of the world's top female rugby referees, Aimee Barrett-Theron, has stepped down from officiating after a breast cancer diagnosis. The UFC will see Britain's Michael 'Venom' Page face Nursulton Ruziboev in a middleweight bout at UFC Paris on September 5. The 2026 ESPYS awards recognized top athletes including Jalen Brunson and A'ja Wilson, with highlights from the event featuring athletes like Myles Garrett and Chloe Kim on the red carpet. A fan was fired by Hilton Grand Vacations for allegedly sending a racist message on social media to Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray. New guidelines for broadcasters have been released regarding respectful camera angles for female athletics coverage.