Sports News

Viktor Hovland finally found a solid rhythm for the first time in a month, and it paid off at the Valspar Championship. Hovland notched birdies on three of his final five holes to shoot 4-under-par 67 and win the tournament Sunday at Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Florida.

Australian Open champion Madison Keys was dumped out of the Miami Open third round on Sunday, falling 6-4 6-2 to Philippine wildcard Alexandra Eala, while Novak Djokovic earned a record-setting 411th ATP Masters 1000 level match win.

Portugal's Francisco Trincao came off the bench to score twice and Cristiano Ronaldo also netted as they beat Denmark 5-2 after extra time on Sunday for a 5-3 aggregate win that set up a Nations League semi-final against Germany.

Last year's Indian Premier League (IPL) runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad picked up from where they left off by posting the second-highest total in the competition's history on Sunday, a mammoth 286-6 in their 44-run victory over Rajasthan Royals.

Juventus have sacked manager Thiago Motta and appointed their former player Igor Tudor, the Serie A club said on Sunday, following two consecutive heavy defeats in a disappointing season, with the club fifth in the league standings.

Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were disqualified from the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix after their cars failed post-race checks on Sunday.

Australian Oscar Piastri roared back from season-opening disappointment in his home race by winning the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday in a McLaren one-two with championship-leading teammate Lando Norris.

American George Foreman, one of the great second acts in sports, who reclaimed the heavyweight boxing title at age 45 and became a celebrated product pitchman, died on Friday at age 76.

McLaren's Oscar Piastri seized the first proper pole position of his Formula One career at the Chinese Grand Prix on Saturday with the fastest lap yet around the Shanghai International Circuit.

Lewis Hamilton celebrated his first win for Ferrari on Saturday, answering his critics by leading the Chinese Grand Prix sprint from start to finish in only his second race for the Italian Formula One team.

India has submitted an "expression of interest" to stage the 2030 Commonwealth Games, potentially the perfect dress rehearsal for the country's bigger dream of hosting the Olympic Games six years later.

McLaren's Lando Norris topped the time sheet during the only practice session for Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix on Friday, with Alpine's Jack Doohan bringing the session to a halt for several minutes after the rookie driver lost power midway through a lap.

The reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics have agreed to a $6.1 billion (AED 22.4 billion) sale to a group headed by private equity firm Symphony Technology Group co-founder William Chisholm, the team said on Thursday.

The UAE's World Cup dream suffered a setback after a 2-0 loss to Iran in the Asian qualifiers in Tehran on Thursday.

Kirsty Coventry smashed through the International Olympic Committee’s glass ceiling on Thursday to become the organisation’s first female and first African president in its 130-year history.

Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday with a 2-0 win over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium and confirm their place at next year's finals.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) have announced the return of UFC to the UAE capital on Saturday, July 26, at the Etihad Arena.

Former Formula One team boss Eddie Jordan has died of prostate cancer at his home in South Africa, the Irishman's family said on Thursday in a statement. He was 76.

The Indian cricket board (BCCI) handed its team, which claimed the Champions Trophy title earlier this month, a $6.72 million (AED 24.6 million) cash bonus on Thursday, an amount three times the winner's purse for the 50-overs tournament.

The UAE take on Iran on Thursday in a crunch World Cup 2026 qualifier in Tehran. A win for Paulo Bento’s side will keep the UAE in contention to qualify for the global showcase, being held in the USA, Mexico and Canada next year.

Australian Nick Kyrgios came from behind to defeat Mackenzie McDonald 3-6 6-3 6-4 in the first round of the Miami Open on Wednesday to earn his first win since October 2022.

The Scottish city of Edinburgh will host the Tour de France Grand Depart in 2027 as the world's most famous cycling race returns to Britain for the fifth time.

Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu barely broke a sweat as she brushed aside Japanese wildcard Sayaka Ishii 6-2 6-1 on Wednesday to reach the second round of the Miami Open.

Outgoing International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach was named honorary president for life on Wednesday, with the German due to step down in June after 12 years in charge.

Former Newcastle striker Papiss Cissé has signed for the UAE's Al Qabila FC. The club confirmed the deal on Instagram with the forward posing with the number 18 shirt.

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met Formula One chief Stefano Domenicali on Tuesday and said the government would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.

World number two Iga Swiatek said she was not proud of the way she vented her frustration at Indian Wells, where she nearly hit a ball boy after smashing a ball into the ground, but added that she did not expect to receive "such harsh judgements".

Lionel Messi was not included in Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni's squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil, with the forward missing out due to a muscle strain.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrated St. Patrick's Day by winning a three-hole aggregate playoff against JJ Spaun to capture his second title at The Players Championship on Monday morning at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

The management of Bulgarian top-flight football club Arda Kardzhali apologised after their former player Petko Ganchev, whose death they mourned in a minute's silence before Sunday's match with Levski Sofia, turned out to be alive.

The Special Olympics UAE delegation won 16 medals, four gold, five silver and seven bronze at the Special Olympics World Winter in Turin. The medal tally is the best ever for a delegation from the MENA region at the Games.

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy and overnight leader J.J. Spaun will take The Players Championship into a Monday playoff after they both ended a weather-delayed final round Sunday level at 12-under-par 276.

Newcastle ended their 70-year wait for a trophy with a dominant display in the League Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley on Sunday. Dan Burn opened the scoring with a towering header before Alexander Isak struck to give the Magpies victory.

Arsenal defeated London rivals Chelsea 1-0 for their first win in four Premier League games on Sunday as a headed goal by stand-in striker Mikel Merino boosted their faint hopes of catching up with runaway leaders Liverpool.

Carlos Alcaraz's hopes of capturing a third successive Indian Wells title went up in smoke on Saturday and the Spaniard said his inability to tame his nerves was more of a disappointment than the stunning semi-final defeat by Jack Draper.

McLaren's Lando Norris swept to victory in a wet and wild Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, holding off defending champion Max Verstappen in a white-knuckle finish to a Formula One season-opener littered with crashes and safety cars.

Manchester City could only muster a 2-2 Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, dropping points in a blow to their hopes of playing European football next season.

After struggling with setup issues through Australian Grand Prix practice, Max Verstappen was surprised by his Red Bull car's performance on Saturday as the Formula One defending champion took third place in qualifying for the season-opening race.

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva beat defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6(1) 1-6 6-3 on Friday to reach the Indian Wells final where she will face top seed Aryna Sabalenka, who avenged her Australian Open final loss to Madison Keys with a 6-0 6-1 rout.

The Formula 1 season kicks off in Australia this weekend, setting the stage for a championship battle that will unfold across 24 races before reaching its conclusion at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (December 4-7) at Yas Marina Circuit.

Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has earned his first call-up from Spain manager Luis de la Fuente on Friday for their two-leg Nations League quarter-final against the Netherlands.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot will not have Trent Alexander-Arnold available when they defend their League Cup title against Newcastle United on Sunday at Wembley in a blow to a squad already missing two defenders through injury.

New England coach Thomas Tuchel recalled striker Marcus Rashford and midfielder Jordan Henderson as he raised eyebrows with his first squad announcement on Friday.

Two-time Indian Wells champion Iga Swiatek avenged her shock Paris Olympics loss to Zheng Qinwen with a 6-3 6-3 win over the Chinese eighth seed on Thursday, setting up a semi-final against 17-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva in the California desert.

India's spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel has been named Delhi Capitals captain ahead of the new Indian Premier League season, the team said on Friday.

Real Madrid beat city rivals Atletico 4-2 on penalties to reach the Champions League quarter-finals following an enthralling last-16 tie which ended 2-2 after extra time in a raucous atmosphere at Metropolitano on Wednesday.

Sharjah FC advanced into the AFC Champions League Two semi-finals after defeating Shabab Al Ahli 5-4 on penalties, after their quarter-final second leg tie ended 1-1 on the night after extra time and 2-2 on aggregate on Wednesday.

World Boxing has increased its membership to 84 countries with China and Turkey, whose athletes won medals in the ring at last year's Paris Olympics, among the latest six to sign up.

Dubai Basketball are set to take on Partizan Mozzart Bet on March 17 at the Coca-Cola Arena. The game promises to deliver an exciting match-up as Dubai’s first international professional sports franchise faces one of Europe’s most renowned basketball teams.

Paris St Germain beat Liverpool 4-1 in a penalty shootout to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals after winning a rip-roaring last-16 second-leg match at Anfield 1-0 on Tuesday thanks to a goal from Ousmane Dembele.

Twice champion Iga Swiatek walloped Czech Karolina Muchova 6-1 6-1 to reach the Indian Wells quarter-finals on Tuesday, while Dane Holger Rune moved into the final eight of the men's draw with a 6-4 6-4 win over Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Argentina began a long-awaited trial on Tuesday of the medical team for football star Diego Maradona, over four years after his death in 2020, in a case that has riled emotions in the South American country where the World Cup winner is still revered.

Manchester United plan to build a new $2.59 billion (AED 9.55 billion) 100,000-seat stadium that will be the biggest in Britain, next to the existing Old Trafford, the club announced on Tuesday.

Juan Ayuso of UAE Team Emirates XRG got off to a strong start on day one of Tirreno-Adriatico, with the 22-year-old taking 2nd place on the stage behind Filippo Ganna of Ineos-Grenadiers.

Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes poked home the only goal in a 1-0 win at West Ham United that lifted his side into sixth place in the Premier League on Monday.

Americans Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton gave the home fans at Indian Wells plenty to cheer about on Monday, taming wind-whipped conditions in the California desert to reach the fourth round.

An independent appeal board has dismissed Nottingham Forest's appeal against a £750,000 (AED 3,500,000) fine imposed on the Premier League club over social media posts criticising a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) last season, the FA said on Monday.

Manchester United fans deserve better from the team, manager Ruben Amorim said following their 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday after the day started with a protest from several thousand supporters outside Old Trafford.

Emirati Special Olympics athlete Mina Al Mazrouei raised the Special Olympics flag during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Winter Games – Turin 2025.

India have beaten New Zealand to clinch the ICC Champions Trophy in a gripping final in Dubai on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium.

Emirati driver Rashid Al Dhaheri is to join the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Junior Team, making him the first Middle Eastern driver to be selected for this prestigious F1 development initiative. 

Bhansali Polo triumphed over Ankora-Lamar Polo in a thrilling Dubai Challenge Cup 2025 final on Saturday at Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club in Dubai.

Political and economic tensions between the United States and its 2026 World Cup co-hosts Canada and Mexico will make the tournament more exciting, US President Donald Trump said after signing an executive order to create a task force for the event.

Tiger Woods is not entered in the 144-player field for The Players Championship, which begins next week at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass with 48 of the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Cadillac will join Formula One as the circuit's 11th team in 2026.

Real Sociedad of Spain drew with Manchester United 1-1 on Thursday at Anoeta Stadium in the first leg of the round of 16 of the European Football League.

The WTA will offer players up to 12 months of paid maternity leave for the first time, the women's tennis tour said on Thursday, part of a sweeping new family benefits programme sponsored by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

Brazil have recalled Santos forward Neymar for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina after more than a year.

The prize money for this year's 32-team Club World Cup to be held in the US between June 14 -July 13 will be $1 billion (AED 3.67 billion), soccer's governing body FIFA said on Wednesday.

Liverpool substitute Harvey Elliott scored a last-gasp winner 47 seconds after coming on to earn a fortunate 1-0 win against Paris St Germain who outplayed their visitors during Wednesday's Champions League last-16 first leg match.

New Zealand will face India in the final of the Champions Trophy after defeating South Africa by 50 runs in the second semi-final on Wednesday.

A fired-up Arsenal thrashed PSV Eindhoven 7-1 away in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday after rattling in three goals in a 13-minute spell in the first half and then ruthlessly adding four more after the break.

Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz scored a second-half winner as the hosts edged out neighbours Atletico Madrid 2-1 in a scrappy first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie on Tuesday after Julian Alvarez had cancelled out Rodrygo's opener.

India reached the final of the Champions Trophy after defeating Australia by four wickets in the first semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday.

Pakistan all-rounder Salman Agha was named skipper of their Twenty20 International team while Mohammad Rizwan will continue to lead the one-day international side, the country's cricket board said on Tuesday.

Nottingham Forest reached the FA Cup quarter-finals as they beat fellow Premier League club Ipswich Town on penalties after the City Ground clash ended 1-1 after extra time on Monday.

 A cyclone bearing down on the east coast of Australia has scrapped a golf event and threatens to disrupt the launch of the Australian Football League season.

Retired tennis great Serena Williams has taken an ownership stake in Canada's first Women's National Basketball Association team, the Toronto Tempo announced on Monday.

FIFA has lifted its suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) after it approved constitutional amendments validated by world football ruling body and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Abu Dhabi has created sporting history by attracting the sailing regatta Cowes Week to its shores in January 2023, consolidating its position as the Middle East's sports capital.

Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit has outlined exactly why football is failing to properly address racism within the game in an exclusive interview with Off Script on Dubai Eye 103.8.