General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: August 5, 2026, 11:31 AM ET

College Football Preview and Predictions

Ohio State has been named the No. 1 team in the 2026 AFCA Coaches Poll, aiming to extend the Big Ten's national championship streak to four. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman is emphasizing immediate focus on winning, starting with the Fighting Irish's opener, rather than solely concentrating on the College Football Playoff. Indiana star defensive lineman Stephen Daley will return to the Hoosiers for his fifth year. Coach Mario Cristobal of Miami has agreed to a long-term contract extension with the school, following their appearance in last season's College Football Playoff title game. USC and Notre Dame will resume their rivalry starting in 2030, but Notre Dame's planned home-and-home series with Indiana that same year has been canceled. Bill Connelly identified the college football games with the highest combined SP+ ratings and a projected scoring margin under eight points for the 2026 season. ESPN's analysis suggests that 31 teams possess the necessary players and schedules to potentially reach the College Football Playoff in 2026. Experts are advocating for new heat rules to protect football linemen, who account for 90% of heatstroke deaths, as practices commence in hotter-than-normal temperatures.

Pro Wrestling and Combat Sports News

Brock Lesnar 10-time WWE world champion and former UFC heavyweight champion, has announced his retirement from combat sports following his match at WWE Summer Slam. SummerSlam's second night saw Roman Reigns retain the World Heavyweight Championship, ending his rivalry with Seth Rollins. Night 1 of Summer Slam, Brock Lesnar passed the torch to Oba Femi, and an unexpected babyface emerged. UFC flyweight Allan Nascimento has died of an apparent heart attack at the age of. UFC owners reportedly lost $30 million staging the Freedom 250 event at the White House in June, which was attended by U.S. President Donald Trump. Ian Machado Garry attributes his welterweight title shot against Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 on August 15th to switching to a plant-based diet. PFL lightweight world champion Usman Nurmagomedov will soon decide on his future as a free agent.

Cycling and Athletics Updates

Marlen Reusser of Switzerland secured her first yellow jersey by winning a 21km time trial to Dijon, taking the lead in the fourth stage of the Tour de France Femmes. Sigrid Haugset of Norway won stage three of the Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift after a 68km solo breakaway. Tadej Pogacar, the five-time Tour de France champion, will compete in the Vuelta a Espana this month, aiming for a Grand Tour treble. Emma Finucane has been identified as a "generational talent" in cycling, already holding Olympic, world, and Commonwealth championship titles at. Finucane made history by winning her fourth track cycling Commonwealth Games gold medal and led Wales in the closing ceremony. Fin Graham won a silver medal in the men's C1-C3 3km individual pursuit final and expressed disappointment with perceived changes to the race's structure. Gloucester sprinter James Arminio is competing at the Under-20 World Championships, having only started athletics two years ago.

Basketball and Team Sports News

The planned launch of a dedicated European NBA league has the potential to significantly elevate basketball in the United Kingdom, according to New York Knicks player OG Anunoby. The Cleveland Sirens have unveiled their name and branding for the expansion team that will join the WNBA in 2028. After an offensive showcase, the Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever rank first and second in the WNBA Power Rankings, with the Las Vegas Aces rounding out the top three. The impact of the Kelsey Plum trade on the Mercury and Sparks is being analyzed, with the Mercury's success potentially depending on retaining Plum beyond 2026. Discussions are ongoing regarding transgender women in sports, with Sophie Cunningham's comments sparking further debate within the WNBA. Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors are scheduled to play in Dublin in 2027, marking the first Super League fixture held in Ireland. Tiernan Lynch and Derry City have mutually agreed to depart from his role as manager following a period of poor performance.

Other Sports and Athlete News

A powerlifter who was disqualified due to an alleged racially motivated incident has stated she "does not feel safe" competing and that black athletes are frequently subjected to booing. Jemima Lines has become the first woman to be selected for the British America's Cup team in 90 years, calling it a "pivotal moment" for her sport. Former rugby prop Joe Marler will be known as "Mauler" in the fourth series of the revived Gladiators competition, set to air in 2027. Television presenter Nick Knowles has acquired a stake in the Champ Rugby side Cornish Pirates. British boxer Raven Chapman was airlifted to the hospital and placed in a medically induced coma after suffering a brain bleed during a sparring session on July 24th. Joseph Parker former world heavyweight champion, has been cleared to fight again after his provisional suspension for a positive cocaine test was lifted. Ireland goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran has been ruled out of the upcoming Hockey World Cup due to injury. Irish boxer Lee Reeves is in a "critical but stable" condition in hospital after being carried out of the ring on a stretcher in Dublin on Saturday. Chad le Clos revealed his apartment in South Africa was destroyed by a fatal fire the night after he became the most decorated athlete in Commonwealth Games history. UK Sport will no longer provide funding to GB Snowsport, the governing body for skiing and snowboarding in the UK, though athletes are reportedly unaffected. Eddie Hearn has suggested that Henry Pollock is seeking an annual salary of £1 million at Northampton, which would represent a significant increase on his current contract. Britain's Lauren Henry and Benjamin Pritchard won gold medals at the European Rowing Championships in Italy in the women's single sculls and PR1 men's single sculls, respectively. Northern Ireland finished the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with 158 medals. Wales returned from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with 31 medals, including nine gold, 10 silver, and 12 bronze. Questions remain about the future of the Commonwealth Games despite the "joyful success" of the Glasgow 2026 event.

ESPN's The Ocho and Special Events

ESPN's 75-hour tradition, The Ocho, will showcase obscure competitions for its 10th anniversary, including T. rex races, pumpkin tossing, death diving, and sign spinning. A new variation of chess, described as "the strangest sport in the world," will be broadcast on The Ocho on August 8th at 8 a.m. ET.

MLB and Baseball News

Chicago Cubs acquired right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays in a trade for outfielder Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene. Fantasy fallout from the recent MLB trade deadline deals is being analyzed, with particular attention on the impact of the Kelsey Plum trade on the Mercury and Sparks. Yankees GM Brian Cashman has not ruled out any possibilities regarding Aaron Judge's status, which depends on future imaging of his rib. Fantasy baseball news is available for the latest updates, including James Wood's injury for Washington. Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter is currently serving his sentence in a Pennsylvania prison.

Golf and Tennis News

Michael Thorbjornsen secured his first PGA Tour title at the final Rocket Classic, sinking a 26-foot birdie putt on his last hole to finish at 18 under par with a final-round. Zach Johnson denied Padraig Harrington at The Els Club to win the first officially sanctioned Champions Tour event held in Portugal. Alex Eala is preparing for the US Open, returning to the hard court surface that has been the site of many significant moments in her career. Eala made history in Washington, and BBC Sport has documented her journey to her first title, highlighting her "Filipino heart."

Other Notable Sports Updates

Orla Prendergast took four wickets for 18 runs, helping Welsh Fire defeat Manchester Super Giants by three wickets at Old Trafford. Ireland's five-game ODI series against Afghanistan marks the beginning of their preparations for next year's World Cup qualifying tournament. Scotland's one-day international match against the United Arab Emirates was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain. The 2026-27 Irish League season is on track to begin as scheduled after an Extraordinary General Meeting overwhelmingly passed three proposals.