General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: August 7, 2026, 7:01 PM ET

General Sports

Leeds Rhinos edged Wakefield Trinity 24-22 in a top-of-the-table thriller to move four points clear in Super League. Wigan Warriors kicked off the new Super Four format of the Women's Super League with a thumping 44-6 win over St Helens. St Helens will face Hull FC in Dublin as part of a Super League double-header next April, the day after Warrington Wolves take on Wigan Warriors. Scarlets managing director Jon Daniels dismissed an Ospreys merger and also sought greater transparency from the Welsh Rugby Union. Former England prop Joe Marler is set to become the BBC's first celebrity Gladiator, known as "Mauler," when the fourth series airs in 2027. Television presenter Nick Knowles became a shareholder in Championship side Cornish Pirates.

Cricket

Jos Buttler broke the all-time men's T20 run-scoring record as Manchester Super Giants beat Welsh Fire in The Hundred, with the captain crediting a conversation with England batting coach Marcus Trescothick for his rediscovered form. Rashid Khan took six wickets as Afghanistan beat Ireland by 92 runs in Gary Wilson's first ODI as head coach. London Spirit became the first side eliminated from the men's Hundred after a six-wicket defeat by MI London. Welsh Fire captain Phil Salt said he would ideally like The Hundred to be a week longer. Andrew Flintoff stepped down as head coach of England Lions. England white-ball coach Brendon McCullum backed Harry Brook as a future Test captain but believes Joe Root will do an "amazing job." Sophia Dunkley helped Trent Rockets beat Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred. A brilliant 140 by Essex's Luc Benkenstein kept their One Day Cup hopes alive despite a century from Glamorgan's Timm van der Gugten. England opener Emilio Gay suffered a shoulder injury scare while playing for Durham. Surrey beat Kent by 95 runs to go level with the Foxes at the top of the One-Day Cup. Hampshire and England fast bowler John Turner retired from cricket aged 25 after more than a year out injured. Scotland held on for a nervy nine-run victory over Canada to secure a place at next year's World Cup Qualifier.

Basketball & WNBA

Chelsea Gray made two buzzer-beating 3-pointers, the first to force overtime and the second to give the Las Vegas Aces a win over the Indiana Fever. Two men were subsequently escorted from their courtside seats during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Fever guard Caitlin Clark said it is up to individuals to "speak when you feel like you want to speak" on political issues. Clark's game has grown in Year, as she already has the most 20-point, 10-assist games in WNBA history. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham said she wants the focus to return to basketball after her comments on transgender athletes sparked a heated national debate. The Women's National Basketball Players Association released a statement emphasizing diversity and inclusion and saying the organization "will not be used as political pawns." The Aces and Fever rank 1-2 in the WNBA Power Rankings, with Las Vegas rounding out the top three. Six teams are still vying for the final WNBA playoff spot. USA Basketball announced its roster for the FIBA World Cup, with Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and Aliyah Boston set to make their major international debuts. The planned launch of a bespoke European NBA league has the potential to take basketball in the UK to the "next level," said New York Knicks' OG Anunoby.

NFL & College Football

Jahmyr Gibbs' $67.5M extension is the latest in a flurry of deals shaping the 2026 preseason. Eric Karabell's annual "Do Not Draft" list is out, highlighting players he feels are overvalued. After missing the College Football Playoff, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman urges his players to focus on winning now. Bill Connelly's best games of the season feature Power 4 matchups with the highest combined SP+ ratings. ESPN's preseason schedule evaluation breaks down which teams face the biggest challenges. Who will be the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL draft? 16 players are in the mix. What players will have an outsized influence on the 2026 season? We start with CFP-hopeful QBs. 31 teams have the best chance to make the CFP this season. North Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Belichick is on medical leave and out indefinitely. Who is Notre Dame's biggest villain? Here's our list and the stories behind the fury for every Power 4 team. No one fuels fans' ire more than Lane Kiffin, but is he the best pot-stirrer of all time? Offensive lineman Cole Hutson has returned to Texas after regaining a fifth year of eligibility. Indiana defensive end Stephen Daley practiced in a limited role for the Hoosiers as he recovers from a knee injury. All current Akron season-ticket holders are automatically entered into a random drawing for a unique promotion to design the opening drive.

MLB, Boxing, MMA & Combat Sports

A flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja will headline UFC 331 in September. Conor McGregor reiterated his desire to return to fighting after undergoing knee surgery. Pound-for-pound star Claressa Shields says a fight with Wales' Lauren Price is now likely to take place in 2027. Brock Lesnar, a 10-time WWE world champion, said his match at WWE Summer Slam was his last. WWE superstar couple Bianca Belair and Montez Ford welcomed their first child. Our panel of baseball insiders weighs in on the biggest trade deadline blockbusters. Here's how each club's playoff hopes have risen or fallen since the trade deadline. Not sure what to make of a wild conclusion to trade season? We've got it all covered.

Cycling, Golf, Tennis & Other Sports

Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney produced a thrilling solo ride to the summit of Mont Ventoux to win the Tour de France Femmes stage and take the overall lead. Kimberley Le Court won a sprint finish to seal victory in stage six as Marlen Reusser held on to the overall lead. Demi Vollering won stage five of the Tour de France Femmes following a sprint victory. Officials at the race will check riders' clothing for bra padding to prevent aerodynamic gains. LIV Golf has secured funding from an outside investor that will keep the circuit alive beyond this season, according to CEO Scott O'Neil. LIV Golf also confirmed it has secured a deal with an unnamed lead investor for 2027. Cameron Norrie progressed to the Canadian Open last 32 with a straight-set win. Coco Gauff said she supports "fairness in women's sports" but criticized how the WTA's gene testing creates "animosity." The Preakness Stakes is moving to a Sunday for the first time. Winter Olympic gold medallist Eve Muirhead revoked her retirement, saying being Team GB's chef de mission inspired her return.

Entertainment, The Ocho & Culture

The Mascot Hall of Fame Class of 2026 was announced on "Good Morning America," with Mrs. Met and Goldy among the five inductees. The 2026 WSOP main event was won by Lucas Jumalon, a 22-year-old from Spokane, Washington, who beat Finland's Lauri Saaskilahti heads-up for $10 million. The WSOP final table featured great play, while the Hall of Fame inducted only one player, an issue that needs to be addressed. ESPN's 75-hour Ocho tradition showcases obscure competitions. Here's the story of how the iconic event Slippery Stairs was created and a firsthand account of how challenging it is. Hundreds of competitors are poised for T-Rex races at Emerald Downs. A new variation on chess called "diving chess" will be broadcast on The Ocho. The Ocho will celebrate its 10th anniversary in style, airing the world's quirkiest sports.

Notable Moments & Transactions

New Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland owned up to his one-liner at the expense of Indiana, admitting it was a mistake. The remark came just months after Indiana won the CFP national championship. Chief executive Tom Gorringe said Swansea City are on track to compete for a return to the Premier League. Longtime college basketball announcer Dick Vitale said he is making positive strides after his fifth cancer diagnosis. After firing him, the Vikings rehired Larry Fitzgerald as a ball boy, a move that shaped his Hall of Fame career. The San Antonio Spurs' Luke Kornet stopped in the rain to help a stranded motorist. London submitted its final bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships at the London Stadium. The British Grand Prix will remain on the Moto GP calendar until at least 2028 as Silverstone extended its partnership with Moto GP. Jemima Lines became the first woman selected for the British America's Cup team in 90 years. Since their contracts were stripped back to part-time, Great Britain Sevens players have had to find alternative employment to keep their passion alive. Derry City chairman Philip O'Doherty said the departure of manager Tiernan Lynch was a "snap decision." A powerlifter who was disqualified said she does not feel safe when competing and that black athletes are frequently booed. BBC Sport NI agreed a new three-year broadcast deal to ensure the continuation of free-to-air coverage of the Irish Premiership. After a summer of transfers and uncertainty, the start of the Irish Premiership 2026-27 season has arrived.