General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: August 5, 2026, 5:31 PM ET

College Football Preview & Standings

Ohio State is the 2026 season ranked No. 1 in the AFCA Coaches Poll as the Big Ten aims to secure a fourth consecutive national championship. Notre Dame's coach Marcus Freeman wants his team focused on their opener and not the College Football Playoff, especially after missing it last season. USC Notre Dame will reignite their rivalry starting in 2030, but Notre Dame's planned home-and-home series with Indiana has been canceled. Indiana's star lineman Stephen Daley will return for his fifth year with the Hoosiers, according to sources. Coach Mario Cristobal has agreed to a long-term contract extension with Miami after leading the Hurricanes to the College Football Playoff title game last season. Bill Connelly identified the top Power 4 games for the 2026 season, featuring matchups with high SP+ ratings and projected scoring margins under eight points. A.J. Williams top-ranked player in the 2028 class, plans to reclassify to the 2027 class. Texas has moved into the top five of the Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings, while North Carolina has fallen out, with UCLA entering the top tier. Thirty-one schools are considered to have the best chance to make the College Football Playoff in 2026, based on their players and schedules. ESPN's preseason evaluation highlights teams facing the toughest and easiest stretches of their upcoming seasons.

Player News & Performances

WWE superstar couple Bianca Belair and Montez Ford have welcomed their first child together. Brock Lesnar 10-time WWE world champion and former UFC heavyweight champion, has announced his retirement from combat sports after his match at WWE Summer Slam. UFC flyweight Nascimento died of an apparent heart attack at the age of. Ian Machado attributes his welterweight title shot against Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 to switching to a plant-based diet. UFC owners incurred a $30 million loss from staging the Freedom 250 event at the White House in June. PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov will soon decide his future as a free agent, according to his cousin and coach Khabib Nurmagomedov. Roman Reigns retained the World Heavyweight Championship, ending his rivalry with Seth Rollins at WWE Summer Slam. Yankees GM Cashman has not ruled out any possibilities regarding Aaron Judge's status, which depends on upcoming rib imaging. Bears new Coby Bryant will be sidelined for eight to ten weeks due to a leg injury.

International Soccer & Rugby

The first leg of Larne's Europa League qualifier against FC Iberia 1999 could be delayed by 24 hours due to scheduling conflicts. Derry City chairman Philip O'Doherty stated that the departure of manager Tiernan Lynch was a "snap decision" and that "it was time to make a change." Scarlets managing director Jon Daniels has dismissed the idea of a merger with the Ospreys and is seeking greater transparency from the Welsh Rugby Union. Former rugby Joe Marler will become the BBC's first celebrity Gladiator, known as "Mauler," when the show returns in 2027. Television presenter Nick Knowles has become a shareholder in the Champ Rugby side Cornish Pirates. The 2026-27 Irish League season is expected to begin on time after three proposals were overwhelmingly passed at an Extraordinary General Meeting.

Cycling & Motorsports

Demi Vollering secured victory in stage five of the Tour de France Femmes, sprinting past yellow jersey holder Marlen Reusser. Marlen Reusser took the first yellow jersey of her career by winning a 21km time trial in the fourth stage of the Tour de France Femmes. Norway's Sigrid Haugset achieved a surprise stage win in stage three of the Tour de France Femmes following a 68km solo breakaway. Officials at the Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift will be checking riders' clothing for any attempts to gain aerodynamic advantages, specifically regarding bra padding. Tadej Pogacar, the five-time Tour de France champion, will compete in this month's Vuelta a Espana aiming for a Grand Tour treble. BBC Sport correspondent Andrew Benson addressed lingering questions about the "Newey effect" in Formula.

Golf & Tennis

LIV Golf has secured a deal with an unnamed lead investor to continue operations next season, following the withdrawal of Saudi Arabian financial backing earlier this year. League CEO O'Neil confirmed that LIV Golf has obtained funding from an outside investor, ensuring the circuit's continuation beyond the current season. Robert Mac Intyre, Patrick Reed, Francesco Molinari, and Sepp Straka are set to compete in the Irish Open at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg from September 9-13. Michael Thorbjornsen won his first PGA Tour title at the final Rocket Classic, making a 26-foot putt for birdie on the final hole to finish at 18 under par. Alex Eala is preparing for the US Open, returning to the hard court surface where she has achieved many career highlights. Alexandra Eala made history in Washington with her first career title, showcasing what BBC Sport describes as "Filipino heart."

Cricket & Other International Sports

Jos Buttler has become the highest run-scorer in men's T20 cricket, a feat explored by BBC Sport. Jos Buttler starred in the Manchester Super Giants' nine-wicket victory over Welsh Fire in The Hundred, breaking the T20 runs record. Sophia Dunkley's fifty guided the Trent Rockets to a win against Birmingham Phoenix, while Orla Prendergast took four wickets for Welsh Fire in their victory over Manchester Super Giants. Surrey defeated Kent by 95 runs to draw level with the Foxes at the top of the One-Day Cup standings, pushing for a home semi-final. Scotland's one-day international against the United Arab Emirates was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain. Ireland's five-game series against Afghanistan marks the beginning of their preparations for next year's World Cup qualifying tournament. Distinguished Ireland goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran has been ruled out of the upcoming Hockey World Cup due to injury. Great Britain Sevens players have had to find alternative employment and teams to continue playing since their contracts were reduced to part-time last summer.

Athlete Health & Personal News

Longtime college announcer Dick Vitale reported that his tests are "very good" following his fifth cancer diagnosis in April. Bianca Belair and Montez Ford, both WWE superstars, have welcomed their first child together. Chad le Clos revealed that his apartment in South Africa was destroyed by a fatal fire the night after he became the most decorated athlete in Commonwealth Games history. Prime Minister Burnham has invited Scottish swimmer Archie Goodburn to a personal meeting following his plea for increased funding and resources for brain cancer research.

Olympics & Future Events

The Preakness Stakes will move to three weeks and a day after the Kentucky Derby and will be run on a Sunday for the first time. Jemima Lines has been selected for the British America's Cup team, becoming the first woman to do so in 90 years, calling it a "pivotal moment." Bouldering has helped elite climber Mary Falconer cope with the loss of her mother and may set her on a path to the 2028 Olympics. Gloucester sprinter Arminio will compete at the Under-20 World Championships, just two years after he first started running competitively. The 10th anniversary of ESPN's "The Ocho" will feature a variety of obscure and unconventional sports, including a new variation of chess. Commonwealth Games in Glasgow saw Team Wales return with 31 medals, including nine gold, 10 silver, and 12 bronze. Northern Ireland won 158 medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Scotland's performance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is being assessed following the event's conclusion on home soil. While the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games were a joyful success, questions and doubts remain about the future of the event. The planned launch of a bespoke European NBA league has the potential to elevate basketball in the United Kingdom, according to New York Knicks player OG Anunoby.

WNBA & Professional Basketball

The Cleveland expansion team has unveiled its name and branding as the Cleveland Sirens, set to join the WNBA in 2028. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has expressed a desire for the focus to return to basketball following a national debate sparked by her comments on transgender athletes. The Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever are ranked first and second, respectively, after an offensive showcase, with the Las Vegas Aces rounding out the top three. The trade of Kelsey Plum to the Mercury is being evaluated based on her potential to help the team make a playoff push and whether they can retain her beyond 2026. The WNBA is experiencing internal divisions regarding the inclusion of transgender women in sports, with various stakeholders wanting to express their views.

Other Sports News

A powerlifter who was disqualified following an alleged racially motivated incident stated she "does not feel safe" competing, citing frequent booing of black athletes. UK Sport will no longer channel investment in skiing and snowboarding through the governing body GB Snowsport, though athletes are not expected to be affected. Henry Pollock is reportedly seeking an annual salary of £1 million at Northampton, with agent Eddie Hearn suggesting this as his desired rate. Emma Finucane is being described as a "generational talent" in cycling, already holding Olympic, world, and Commonwealth titles at. The takeover of Mumbai Indians has impacted MI London and Surrey, with BBC Sport examining the changes and future outlook for MI London. Jackson Koivun to Brooks Koepka, players on the cusp of qualifying for the FedEx Cup Playoffs need strong performances at the Wyndham Championship.