FA Cup final 2026 tickets, date, kick-off time and TV channel for Man City vs Chelsea – Manchester Evening News
Need to know
Manchester City booked their place in a fourth successive FA Cup final with victory over Southampton on Saturday and they will play Chelsea after they beat Leeds United on Sunday
17:01, 26 Apr 2026Updated 17:03, 26 Apr 2026
Manchester City beat Southampton on Saturday to reach the FA Cup final at Wembley
Everything you need to know ahead of Manchester City vs Chelsea in FA Cup final
Cup final date: The final will be played at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 16.
Kick-off time: The final has been handed a traditional 3pm start time.
TV channel: The final will be live in the UK on TNT Sports, HBO Max, BBC One and iPlayer. International broadcasters will be confirmed at a later date
Radio broadcast: Radio coverage will be provided by BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT.
Ticket details: There is no ticket information available as yet and tickets for the final will be sold via the relevant competing clubs.
Run to final: City’s win over Southampton in the semi-finals was the third occasion they have played lower league opposition this term. The Blues beat Exeter City and Salford City to reach the fifth round, where they beat Newcastle United. A 4-0 win over Liverpool followed in the last eight
Fixture headaches: City face a hectic end to the season. Reaching the final means the Premier League trip to Bournemouth needs to be rearranged while the home game with Crystal Palace, postponed when City were in the Carabao Cup final, also needs a new date. Both matches will have to slot into the final fortnight of the campaign meaning they will be played either side of the final with the latter just days before the final Premier League weekend of the season when City host Aston Villa.
Squad news: City will be without Josko Gvardiol for the final with the defender a long-term absentee. The Blues will hope to have Rodri fit after he missed the semi-final.
The stakes: A win for City would see them lift the trophy for the second time in four years having beaten Manchester United on the way to the Treble in 2023. The Blues lost finals in 2024 and 2025, to United and Crystal Palace respectively
The record books of the Indian Premier League were rewritten by a familiar face once again on Friday as Virat Kohli crossed the historic milestone of 300 IPL sixes during the match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans. By hitting his 303rd maximum during a match-winning 81 against the Titans, Kohli solidified his place in an elite list of power hitters that consists only of Chris Gayle (357) and Rohit Sharma (310). While the numbers are staggering, former India batter Mohammad Kaif highlighted the story behind this milestone: it is not one of raw, innate power, but of an extraordinary evolution.
Unlike Chris Gayle, whose game was built on the foundation of clearing the ropes, or Rohit Sharma, who possesses a natural, effortless loft, Virat Kohli was originally identified as a player who played more through the ground. In the early years of the IPL, Kohli’s batting style relied on finding gaps, running hard between the wickets, and punishing the turf with exquisite cover drives.
However, as the T20 format evolved into a game of high-velocity boundary-hitting, Kohli refused to be left behind. His journey to 303 sixes is a testament to his adaptability; he did not necessarily change his technique, but added subtle variations to remain relevant in the shortest format. Even at the age of 37, he continues to evolve.
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In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mohammad Kaif summed it up perfectly: “Virat Kohli taking his IPL sixes tally to 303 is an incredible achievement… Kohli isn’t a natural six-hitter, but he worked on his game… His greatness is his adaptability and showing courage to come out of his comfort zone.”
Virat Kohli taking his IPL 6s tally to 303 is an incredible achievement. Imagine Gayle has 360 and Rohit 310. Kohli isn’t a natural six-hitter but he worked on his game to meet the demand of the modern game. His greatness is his adaptability and showing courage to come out of his…
After the game, even Gujarat Titans assistant coach Vijay Dahiya heaped rich praise on Kohli, saying the former India captain’s relentless drive and hunger to improve continue to set him apart. Kohli won the Man of the Match award for his match-defining 44-ball 81 in RCB’s five-wicket win against GT.
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Dahiya revealed that Kohli was disappointed despite his strong innings, reflecting the batter’s high standards.
“After the game, he was saying he could have converted it into a hundred. That tells you about his mindset,” Dahiya said at the post-match press conference.
Highlighting what makes Kohli special, Dahiya pointed to his energy, awareness, and ability to control the game.
“When you are commanding the situation, you make bowlers bowl where you want. He made the wicket look easy, but it wasn’t,” Dahiya noted, adding that the knock came against “world-class bowlers”.
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IPL 2026 News | RCB Outplay CSK For 2nd Win On Trot, Ruturaj Gaikwad & Co Suffer 3rd Loss
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Tai Felton (13) gets loose during pregame routines ahead of a matchup with the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium, Aug. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. The rookie wideout works through warmups as he prepares for game action in front of the home crowd during preseason play. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings exited the 2026 NFL Draft with zero rookie wide receivers, despite doing extensive homework at the position in the last two months. Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski snagged some undrafted free-agent wideouts, but those usually cannot be trusted as immediate contributors. Therefore, Minnesota needs a WR3 from free agency if last year’s rookie, Tai Felton, is not ready for the post following Jalen Nailor’s departure to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Minnesota has internal upside, but the free-agent market still offers familiar names.
Thankfully, the free-agent market has plenty of options.
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Seven Veteran WRs Who Could Still Fit Minnesota’s Offense
Ranked in ascending order, these are the top WR3 options for the Vikings (No. 1 = best).
Maryland native Stefon Diggs, now with the New England Patriots, surveys the field during pregame moments before facing the Miami Dolphins, Jan. 4, 2026, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. The veteran wide receiver stands on the sideline as both teams finalize preparations ahead of kickoff in a late-season divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images.
7. Stefon Diggs
Diggs is navigating a bizarre choking incident, where he was alleged to have assaulted his personal chef. Accordingly, he’s a free agent. If the legal woes dissipate, some team will sign him in the next four months.
In New England last year, Diggs was by far the New England Patriots’ most productive receiver. He still has gas left in the tank. It’s all a matter of whether the Vikings want the legal circus that could accompany his presence.
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Reminder: Diggs spent his first six seasons in Minnesota. In theory, he could book-end his career in the spot where it started.
6. Keenan Allen
Most might have Allen higher on a list like this, but the Vikings’ offense lacks speed after losing Jalen Nailor, Ty Chandler, and Rondale Moore (RIP). Allen has zero speed and never had much in the first place.
However, if Kevin O’Connell wants a straight possession receiver, Allen can be the guy. He’d likely tally around 600 receiving yards in 2026, give or take.
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5. De’Andre Hopkins
Hopkins outranked Allen in this article for two reasons: a) He’s already stated this offseason that he wants to play for the Vikings b) He has history with Kyler Murray, who is one of his closest friends.
The five-time Pro Bowler could especially cook in the redzone. Like Allen, though, Hopkins lacks speed.
4. Tyreek Hill
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Hill, on the other hand, does not lack speed, or at least he didn’t before his gruesome 2025 injury. It’s unclear if Hill will be ready to go by September, but general managers will find that out soon. If he’s ready, the Vikings should pounce, if only to have the Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Tyreek Hill monster on paper.
Remember: Hill’s offensive coordinator for the last four seasons — Frank Smith — now works for the Vikings as an assistant head coach.
NFL writer Evan Massey noted on Hill + the Vikings earlier this offseason, “Why not take a look at Tyreek Hill? He is coming off of a brutal knee injury, but if he can get back to full health the addition of Hill would make the Vikings nearly unstoppable on offense. A healthy Tyreek Hill would make the Minnesota offense unfair. It’s hard to even imagine what a passing game that features a healthy Hill, Jefferson, and Addison could look like. No opposing defense would be able to stop them.”
“Granted, there is no guarantee that Hill will be able to revert back to those bigger numbers following the knee injury. Despite the potential concerns, taking a flier on Hill if the price is right would be a wise move for Minnesota.”
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Hill also grew up as a Vikings fan.
3. Jauan Jennings
Jennings probably still thinks he’s worth a huge contract, and Minnesota doesn’t have a ton of cash lying around. That prohibits this fit just a bit.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings stands on the field during a regular season contest, Nov. 27, 2022, in Santa Clara, California. The physical pass catcher remains a key part of the 49ers offense, known for his blocking and tough catches in traffic during important moments. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports.
Still, if Jennings’s asking price comes down to earth, he’s one of the best possible free agents for the Vikings to consider. Everything he does — O’Connell covets from a wide receiver. Jennings is one of the best blocking WRs in the league, in addition to his impressive pass-catching acumen.
2. Brandon Aiyuk
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Aiyuk isn’t a free agent — yet. The San Francisco 49ers oddly insist on trading him, though everyone knows he’ll never play another snap in The Bay.
Perhaps Brzezinski can dangle a late-round pick in front of John Lynch and call it good. Aiyuk turned 28 last month, meaning he has three prime years left, assuming he gets back on track. By far, Aiyuk has the highest upside on this list if the goal is to find a wideout who can tabulate 1,000 yards or more.
1. Deebo Samuel
These days, Samuel totals around 700-800 receiving yards per season, and that’s exactly what the Vikings need. His speed isn’t the same as five years ago, but he also isn’t as slow as Allen or Hopkins.
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Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) moves through pregame warmups before taking on the Philadelphia Eagles, Jan. 4, 2026, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The versatile playmaker goes through drills as Washington prepares for a key matchup against a division rival late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images.
He might be a little expensive — a $15 million estimated market value — but if that number comes down to $10 million or $12 million, the Vikings should pounce. Samuel turned 30 in January. He’s not ancient.
The Kansas City Chiefs, at least right now, appear to be in a good spot, roster-wise, for 2026.
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Granted, player acquisition is a 365-day-a-year job, and the trade deadline still has a handful of months to go, so the Chiefs can still add pieces to the roster.
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But who?
Right now, it is hard to guess, as the franchise addressed many needs in free agency and the NFL Draft, but CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo thinks one move might be worth a gamble for Kansas City.
“It’s been a quiet offseason for Hill, who is still working his way back from last year’s horrific, season-ending knee injury,” DeArdo writes. “At age 32 and coming off a major injury, Hill’s best chance at playing this season might be back in Kansas City in a complementary role.
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“The Chiefs aren’t lacking at receiver, but can you really ever have too many wideouts in today’s NFL? The answer is no, which is one reason why a Hill-Chiefs reunion is likely. Hill’s rapport with Patrick Mahomes doesn’t hurt, either.”
The Chiefs and Hill have history, and a good one at that. But Tyreek would come to Kansas City and likely be nothing more than a complementary piece for Andy Reid.
But coming back from such a nasty injury, what Hill are we going to get? Plus, what sort of money will he command? The Chiefs aren’t likely to offer him a $15 million APY deal, are they?
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So, a reunion makes some sense at face value, but I just think the juice might not be worth the squeeze.
Lisandro Martinez was shown a red card for Manchester United vs Leeds after being adjudged to have pulled Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair.
The discussion around Lisandro Martinez‘s red card during Manchester United’s Premier League loss against Leeds United in April continued after an incident during Chelsea vs Leeds United in the FA Cup on Sunda.. The defender was shown a straight red after being adjudged to have pulled Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair.
United were trailing 2-0 at the time and went on to lose 2-1. The incident was not spotted by referee Paul Tierney, but was picked up by VAR.
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United were later unsuccessful with an appeal against the decision, meaning that Martinez is serving the full three-match suspension. The debate over the decision was raised again during Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final between Leeds and Chelsea.
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With Chelsea 1-0 up thanks to Enzo Fernandez’s header, the game was temporarily stopped with VAR having a second check of a potential hair pull incident, ironically involving Calvert-Lewin.
Speaking on TNT Sport, commentator Darren Fletcher said: “The game is being delayed at the moment, because they’re just having a look at a potential pull of Marc Cucurella’s hair by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
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“It’s just been fed into Jarred Gillett, the referee, that the video assistant wants to look at it.”
Upon seeing a replay, co-commentator Ally McCoist said: “Not a lot in that for me.”
Fletcher then explained the decision not to award a red was reached, but touched on the Martinez incident: “So, Paul Howard has had a look, and he’s kind of said it’s ok and he’s gone through the explanation that it was the flat of the hand,” he said.
“It’s very much en vogue at the minute this pulling hair isn’t it? We’re all talking about it at the minute after the Martinez thing.”
McCoist made his feelings on the Martinez decision clear: “Lets cover it and say Martinez was never a sending off, never a sending off,” he said.
“And that’s (the Calvert-Lewin decision) not even worth talking about, I don’t think.”
It’s not the view shared by former United full-back Gary Neville. Commentating on the Martinez decision at the time, he said: “You are not getting away with a hair-pull.”
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Neville added: “Martinez is looking perplexed and confused. But a hair-pull results in a red card these days. He knew what he was doing.”
Aug 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Michael Jurgens (65) holds the ball at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
After every NFL draft, several losers from each team emerge from the fallout of the event — even though they personally did nothing wrong. The 2026 campaign is no different, so let’s examine the “losers” for the Minnesota Vikings from the last few days.
Minnesota’s draft class created fresh pressure at running back, offensive line, and along the defensive interior.
Ranked from smallest to largest — No. 1 is the biggest loser — here’s the list.
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Ten Vikings Facing a Tougher Path after Draft Weekend
Not everyone had a swell event per long-term roster trajectory.
Minnesota Vikings guard Michael Jurgens (65) joins teammates in a tight pregame huddle before taking on the Atlanta Falcons, Sep. 14, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Positioned near the center of the offensive circle, Jurgens prepares with the unit as Minnesota readies for kickoff in an early-season NFC matchup at home. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
10. Michael Jurgens (C)
In Round 7 — too late, according to some fans’ estimation — the Vikings took a plunge with a center of the future, a man named Gavin Gerhardt from Cincinnati.
Gerhardt was not a coveted draft prospect, but since the draft, some credible reporting has indicated that he was the Vikings’ rookie center plan all along. They basically knew they could wait until Round 7 to get their man.
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Blake Brandel will probably start in September, but Minnesota appears comfortable pivoting to Gerhardt — not Jurgens — in the somewhat near future.
9. Walter Rouse (OT)
Minnesota employs two stud offensive tackles: Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill. Since the start of the offseason, the club has signed free-agent OT Ryan Van Demark from the Buffalo Bills, and it drafted Northwestern’s Caleb Tiernan in Round 4. Players from Round 4 should be reasonably expected to play before too long.
In short, it’s Rouse in the backseat, with Van Demark and Tiernan elevated. In fact, Rouse may have to battle for a regular season roster spot in the preseason.
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8. Fans Who Wanted a Rookie WR
The Vikings did homework on oodles of wide receivers before the draft. That trail convinced onlookers that they’d leave the event with one — and then that theory was just wrong.
For now, Tai Felton is on tap for WR3 duty in 2026. Last summer, Minnesota traded for a washed Adam Thielen — using a 4th-Round pick to get him — a maneuver to keep Felton sidelined. The guy must be sitting on a breakout season, or so goes the working theory after the Vikings didn’t take any wideouts.
7. Johnny Hekker (P)
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Minnesota signed Hekker last month, its punting solution after Ryan Wright skeddaled in free agency to the New Orleans Saints. For Hekker, life was good.
But on Saturday evening, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski captured Georgia’s Brett Thorson from undrafted free agency. He’s one of the best punters in college football, and some wild rumors suggested he could be drafted in Round 3 or so on Friday.
While that didn’t happen, Hekker, who thought he’d be the Vikings’ punter in 2026, must now look over his shoulder at training camp.
6. NFC North RBs
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Fans thought the Vikings might leave the draft with one new defensive tackle. Instead, Brzezinski (or Brian Flores?) pressed the button on two: Caleb Banks (Florida) and Domonique Orange (Iowa State).
After mostly failed experiments with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in 2025, Minnesota opted for youth at DT, and if one or both men pan out, running backs from the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears won’t enjoy life when facing the purple team for the next 4+ years.
5. WR Coach Keenan McCardell
Entering the draft, McCardell had Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Tai Felton, and Myles Price as his four main wideouts for 2026.
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Exiting the draft, McCardell had Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Tai Felton, and Myles Price as his four main wideouts for 2026.
McCardell pitched the shutout from Thursday through Saturday, and not in a fun way.
4. Zavier Scott (RB)
Demond Claiborne became a Viking on Saturday, and he won’t be cut in August. Minnesota usually keeps three tailbacks on the September roster, so folks are looking at Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, and Claiborne for Week 1.
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Minnesota Vikings running back Zavier Scott (36) pushes the ball upfield during second-half action against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sep. 21, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Scott fights through traffic while contributing to the offense, working for extra yards as Minnesota battles Cincinnati in a regular season home contest. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
That puts Scott on the roster bubble, for better or worse.
3. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (DT)
There was a world — perhaps in a far-off galaxy — where the Vikings promoted Ingram-Dawkins to a starter’s job while drafting Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, for example, in Round 1. That didn’t happen, and with the snap of two fingers, Banks ended any dream of Ingram-Dawkins slipping through to the starting lineup.
He is now what his draft stock in 2025 originally suggested: a backup interior defensive lineman.
2. Ivan Pace Jr. (ILB)
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Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson will start as off-ball linebackers in 2026. Then, the Vikings used a 2nd-Round pick on Jake Golday. He’s the new youth movement at ILB.
Pace Jr. is scheduled to be a Viking through the 2026 campaign. If Golday is worth the draft pick, that probably puts Pace Jr. on the chopping block next offseason.
1. Levi Drake Rodriguez (NT)
Nobody anywhere in the Vikings’ fan or analyst orbit expected the team to draft two defensive tackles before the end of Round 3. But when Orange’s name was read on Friday night, well, that ended Rodriguez’s realistic hopes of being the long-term nose tackle for Kevin O’Connell’s team.
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Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez celebrates alongside teammate Bo Richter after a momentum-shifting play during the 2024 season, capturing a moment of energy and defensive intensity on the field. Rodriguez reacts with emotion as teammates rally together following the sequence in a game setting. Mandatory Credit: Alli Rusco, Vikings.com.
If Orange matures and develops as his scouting report suggests, Drake Rodriguez will be the NT2 in Minnesota for the rest of his rookie contract, not the NT1, which might’ve been the case without the Orange selection.
A new American has joined the long line of Borussia Dortmund debuts as 16-year-old winger Mathis Albert made his senior debut for the German club on Sunday. Joining the likes of Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, and others who have played for the club, Albert has now become the youngest American to ever play in the Bundesliga, entering Dortmund’s 4-0 victory over Freiburg in the 88th minute.
Albert broke Reyna’s record as the youngest American to ever play in the Bundesliga after only signing his first professional contract with the club in July of 2025. His appearacnce on Saturday saw his debut come at 16 years and 340 days old. Both Pulisic and Reyna were 17 when they debuted.
A native of Greenville, S.C., Albert was able to obtain French and German citizenship through his parents, allowing him to join the youth reserves of Dortmund in 2024 and leave America before his 18th birthday. A strong dribbler, Albert is at home on the left wing, but being such a young player, it’s hard to tell if he will stick there or end up moving central or further back on the pitch.
Background
Before joining Dortmund, Albert was a member of the LA Galaxy youth academy while also making appearances for the United States youth teams, first being capped at the U-15 level in 2023 before debuting for the U-19 team in March of 2026 in a victory over Wales. He also represented the U.S. U-17 team at the Under-17 World Cup in 2025. Already moving up age levels with the youth national teams alongside making his debut at such a young age, it’s clear that the Black and Yellow have a serious talent on their hands. That dual citizenship is something to watch here, though, since while Albert has youth national team caps, he could be eligible to represent Germany or France if one of those nations comes knocking.
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It’s something that the USMNT are currently experiencing with Noahkai Banks. Called into the USMNT squad during the September international window of 2025, Banks wasn’t capped, but he continued to excel for Augsburg, earning the attention of the German national team. Only 19, he now has a decision on his hands of which nation he’d like to commit to. Represent the United States, and there’s a chance that he could be in the squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, but committing to Germany, there’s a higher chance that he could win the World Cup in the future. It’s a decision that many have to make, but it’s also a reason why it can’t be assumed that just because someone is born in America, they’ll wear the colors.
Esmir Bajraktarevic hails from Wisconsin, and while he also has USMNT youth caps, he’ll be representing Bosnia and Herzegovina at the World Cup.
Albert has some time, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.
Other Americans to represent Dortmund
While Pulisic and Reyna were the most notable Americans to play for Borussia Dortmund, Albert is actually now the seventh American to make an appearance for the club. He joins Lennard Maloney, who is now with Mainz, Joe Gyau, Jovan Kirovski, and Cole Campbell, who is on loan at Hoffenheim, as American representatives for the club.
Natalie Young and Trent Busuttin intend to travel north with Blind Raise to Brisbane following his standout effort at Flemington.
Blind Raise won the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) this Saturday, the identical race stablemate Epimeles took in 2024.
Busuttin and Young chose to rest Epimeles post-win for a spring assault, yet they plan differently for Blind Raise this time.
Ridden by Beau Mertens as $2.15 favourite, Blind Raise won by two lengths from Profligate ($7.50) and Seraphox ($4.40) who was a half-head further back in third.
Trevor Bauer, the former Cy Young Award winner and MLB All-Star, tossed a no-hitter for the independent Long Island Ducks in a 13-0 win over the Lancaster Stormers on Sunday afternoon at Penn Medicine Park in Pennsylvania.
It was just Bauer’s second start in the United States since 2021, and he faced just one batter over the minimum in a scheduled seven-inning game of a doubleheader against the Stormers.
Bauer threw 84 pitches, striking out seven hitters and walking just one to lose out on the perfect game.
Trevor Bauer smiles after pitching no-hitter for Long Island Ducks on Sunday, April 26, 2026.(Jordan McGregor)
But Bauer unleashed a roar on the mound after a called strike three to notch the third no-hitter in Ducks history.
Combined with his first outing for the Ducks on April 21, Bauer has a strong 1.64 ERA to start the season in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), which is a “Professional Partner League” of MLB.
Fans might have been supporting the opposing Stormers, but they understood what was at stake as Bauer was mowing down hitters throughout his start. They were even heard chanting his name at one point, hoping he could keep his hitless streak alive.
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After the game, Bauer returned the favor for those at the Pennsylvania ballpark, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans after entering his name into the Ducks’ record books.
“I’m looking forward to competing in front of U.S. fans again this season,” said Bauer when he signed with the Ducks earlier this month. “The Ducks have had some incredible players come through their organization, and I’m excited to be part of that tradition.”
Ex-MLB stars like Dontrelle Willis, Daniel Murphy, Rich Hill and Eric Gagne have played for the Ducks in the past. New York Mets legends Gary Carter and Bud Harrelson both managed the team, with the latter also being a part-owner.
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Bauer’s first start for the Ducks impressed an AL team scout in attendance, saying he was pretty impressed by Bauer’s arsenal on the bump.
“He showed flashes of the guy he used to be and a guy who can help a club,” the scout told the New York Post. “He went out and handled himself well. He showed flashes of the breaking ball he had in the past. Certainly the velocity is not what it once was, but it’s still solid, mostly 92-94. He didn’t throw the ball particularly well on the inside part of the plate with his fastball, but I think it was a really good first outing. You’d expected him to get sharper and probably tick up in velocity.
Trevor Bauer and catcher high-five after finish inning for Long Island Ducks in no-hit bid on Sunday April 26, 2026.(Jordan McGregor)
“You’re talking about a guy who was at the top of the game. Is he back there? No, but he looked like a guy who could go out and compete.”
Bauer pitched in Japan in both 2023 and 2025, while a stint in Mexico came in 2024. He pitched to a 2.59 ERA and 9.2 K/9 in Japan in 2023, and in Mexico, those numbers improved to 2.48 and 13.0. Last year in Japan, though, his ERA shot up to 4.41, and he struck out just 8.2 batters per nine innings.
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This June will mark five years since Bauer, as the reigning Cy Young Award winner, last appeared in an MLB game. On June 28 of that year, he tossed six innings of two-run ball while striking out eight batters, recording the win.
Two days later, Bauer was hit with sexual assault allegations, which eventually led to a 324-game suspension (the equivalent of two seasons). It was eventually reduced to 184 games for violating the league’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.
Bauer has maintained his innocence, settling with one accuser while another is facing 16 years in prison after being charged with fraud for faking a pregnancy and asking Bauer for money for an abortion.
Trevor Bauer pitches for Long Island Ducks during no-hitter on Sunday, April 26, 2026.(Jordan McGregor)
Bauer and Lindsey Hill, who accused the pitcher of beating and sexually abusing her in 2021, settled their case in late 2023. Bauer revealed texts from Hill, who said that Bauer would be her “next victim,” among other damning messages. Hill has since said that MLB has more evidence of Bauer’s alleged misconduct.
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Last June, Hill was ordered to pay Bauer more than $300,000 for violating settlement terms. Hill breached their settlement agreement with each other by discussing Bauer on podcasts and in public appearances, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Nearly two years ago, Bauer said he “may have no other choice” but to sue Major League Baseball “if I continue being kept out” of the league. Bauer has said he’d “play for the league minimum,” but he has yet to sign with an MLB team.
“Anyone that’s willing to sit down with me and listen: I’d like to play the second half of my career in a better way than I played the first half,” Bauer told Fox News Digital in January 2024. “I’d like to be an example that you can make mistakes, recognize them, adjust and then be better in the future. I think that’s something us as humans have to do and should be doing constantly.”
Long Island Ducks pitcher Trevor Bauer throws against the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip, N.Y., on April 21, 2026.(Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday RM/Getty Images)
Bauer has since called out MLB after Pete Rose and other deceased former players were taken off the league’s permanently ineligible list.
“So, since Pete is welcome back now, does that go for everyone who has been blackballed?” Bauer asked on X. “Or do you actually have to be guilty of something to qualify for that?”
Bauer was performing well for the Dodgers at the time of the allegations, pitching to a 2.59 ERA.
Sanju Samson could not replicate his stunning century against Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 on Saturday, yet he reached a momentous milestone. The Chennai Super Kings opener, who slammed an unbeaten 101 against Mumbai Indians in the previous match, was out for 11 against GT. However, with a boundary off the second ball of the second over bowled by Kagiso Rabada, he completed 5,000 runs in the IPL.
Samson took 3,555 balls to reach the milestone. He is the third-fastest to do so, after AB de Villiers (3,288 balls) and David Warner (3,554 balls). He is the quickest among Indians to reach the landmark.
Gujarat Titans won the toss and elected to bowl against hosts Chennai Super Kings in the 37th fixture of the IPL 2026 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, the first match of Sunday’s double-header.
At the halfway stage of the tournament, both CSK and GT are evenly placed with three wins and four losses from seven matches, making this clash important for momentum and standings.
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CSK head into the game high on confidence after a dominant win over Mumbai Indians, powered by Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 101 and a four-wicket haul from Akeal Hosein. Back at Chepauk, where they have won two of three matches, CSK will look to continue their strong home form.
In contrast, GT are under pressure after back-to-back losses to MI and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, despite a century from Sai Sudharsan. While their bowling remains a strength, concerns over an inconsistent middle order persist as they aim to regain form.
“We’re going to bowl first. It looks like a good wicket. On a surface like this, it’s good to have a total on the board. The heat isn’t that bad, and there’s a good bit of breeze, so hopefully it won’t be too tough on our bowlers.
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“We’re doing a lot of things right; it’s just about winning the small moments. In bowling, when we leak runs, we give away too many in a three- to four-over period. It’s about hitting the right length consistently in the middle overs.
“Honestly, if the wicket is nice in the powerplay, the talk is to get 70-80 runs, or as many as possible, but it’s important to assess conditions. If it’s a 170-180 wicket, you have to adjust accordingly. At the end of the day, it’s important to play the conditions rather than focus on what hasn’t happened. One change: Arshad is coming back into the squad.”
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IPL 2026 News | RCB Outplay CSK For 2nd Win On Trot, Ruturaj Gaikwad & Co Suffer 3rd Loss
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 witnessed a highly controversial moment on Sunday during the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants, when Angkrish Raghuvanshi was given out for obstructing the field. The incident occurred in the fifth over after Cameron Green sent Raghuvanshi back while attempting a single. The batter got back into his crease with a dive, but Mohammed Shami appealed for obstructing the field.
The on-field umpire referred the decision upstairs, and the third umpire ruled that Raghuvanshi had changed his direction, handing him out. The decision did not go down well with the KKR camp, who were visibly surprised by the verdict. Raghuvanshi looked distraught and smashed his bat on the boundary-line cushion, while KKR coach Abhishek Nayar was seen in a heated discussion with a match official.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi given out for Obstructing The Field!
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper Rishabh Pant won the toss and opted to field against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their clash in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday in Lucknow. Their previous meeting earlier this season produced a thriller, with LSG edging past KKR in a contest decided by fine margins.
It has been a disappointing campaign so far for both teams, with LSG managing just two wins from seven matches, while KKR have fared even worse, registering only one victory from seven outings.
“We’re going to bowl first. We want to once again put the opposition under pressure and find answers as a batting group. Just one change: Linde comes in for Siddharth. Definitely, we are working towards improvement. When there are lots of leaders in the group, you have to find a way, and we’re pretty close to doing that. We just need to stick together and stay tight, because we know we can turn the season around from here. I’m pretty confident we can make it happen. Any kind of confidence helps, and we’ll take that as well,” Pant said.
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“We were looking to bat first. At the moment, it’s important to assess how we are playing as a team and give freedom to the batting unit. We need to assess the conditions. We are going with the same team. That victory was very good, but it’s always about improvement. We had some good practice sessions and are looking forward to the game,” KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane said at the toss.
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IPL 2026 News | RCB Outplay CSK For 2nd Win On Trot, Ruturaj Gaikwad & Co Suffer 3rd Loss
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