Apr 11, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
Memorial Day, which is the unofficial first major mile marker of the Major League Baseball season, arrives next Monday — which is May 25, the earliest possible date for the final Monday of May.
Of course, the Major League Baseball season started earlier than ever this year, so Memorial Day remains a pivotal point for everyone — especially those who are struggling. Here’s a look at nine players for whom it’s no longer too early to get worried.
—Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres 3B & 2B/RF: A 2-for-1 deal here for the Padres, who are in the thick of the National League West race with the Los Angeles Dodgers despite their franchise players batting a combined .209 with seven homers — all by Machado — and 37 RBIs. The slow start for Machado, whose .178 average is the fifth-lowest amongst qualified batters, is a reminder he’s going on 34 and hasn’t posted an .800 OPS since 2022. And Tatis possessing a .590 OPS — the 11th-lowest in the game — is a reminder his post-PED bust OPS of .781 is nearly 200 points lower than his pre-PED bust OPS of .965. Oh and Machado is signed through 2033 and Tatis through 2034. Gulp.
—Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles SS, and Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies SS: It’s not good when the AL and NL leaders in at-bats (209 for Henderson, 201 for Turner) are both posting an on-base percentage below .300. Henderson (10 homers, 24 RBIs) is providing some pop, but he’s got 14 walks and 63 strikeouts after entering the season with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of a little more than 2:1. Plate judgment has never been a strength of Turner, who has walked more than 45 times just once in nine full seasons, but the defending NL batting champ is hitting just .236, which would be his lowest mark since a 27-game cameo as a rookie in 2015.
May 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette (19) hits a two RBI single against the Washington Nationals during the third inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
—Bo Bichette, New York Mets 3B/SS: Of course one of the game’s most consistent and clutch hitters forgets how to hit and hit in the clutch upon joining the Mets. Bichette, who took to third base pretty well before shifting back to shortstop following injuries to Francisco Lindor and Ronny Mauricio, is batting just .225 overall and .200 with runners in scoring position, well below his career marks of .290 and .322, respectively. His three homers in back-to-back games Monday and Tuesday were two more than he had in his first 46 games combined.
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—Matt Chapman, San Francisco Giants 3B: The Giants, whose 173 runs are the fewest in the majors, have no shortage of disappointments in their lineup. But nobody’s struggles are as jarring as those being endured by Chapman, who has one homer, 13 extra-base hits and a .312 slugging percentage in 186 at-bats after averaging 23 homers, 54 extra-base hits and a .458 slugging percentage per season over his first nine years.
May 22, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Logan Gilbert (36) pitches during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
—Logan Gilbert, Seattle Mariners P: Gilbert entered this season with a 3.58 ERA while allowing an average of one homer every 7.5 innings over his first five seasons. But he has a 4.45 ERA in 11 starts this year while surrendering 11 roundtrippers, tied for the most in the AL. The Mariners have no shortage of quality starting pitchers, but they need something close to a peak Gilbert to make another run at that elusive first pennant.
—Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies P: Nola was one of baseball’s most reliable pitchers from 2015 through 2024, when he ranked amongst the top five in wins (fifth with 104), strikeouts (third with 1,779) and innings pitched (fourth with 1,621 1/3) while posting a 3.70 ERA. But the mileage might have caught up to Nola, who posted a 6.01 ERA while being limited to 17 starts due to ankle and rib injuries last year and has a 6.04 ERA this year, the second-worst amongst qualified starters.
—Framber Valdez, Detroit Tigers P: The Tigers thought they were getting one of baseball’s best No. 2 starters when they signed Valdez, who led baseball with 68 wins and ranked fifth with 902 1/3 innings pitched while posting a 3.20 ERA from 2021 through 2025. But Valdez is 2-3 with a 4.58 ERA for Detroit, which is without ace Tarik Skubal and tied for last place in the AL Central. Valdez also got suspended five games for throwing at Trevor Story, which raised familiar questions about his maturity level.
Punjab Kings won a crucial toss in their must-win IPL 2026 clash against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium and elected to field first as they attempt to keep their fading playoff hopes alive.
PBKS come into the contest under immense pressure after six consecutive defeats completely derailed what once looked like a top-two campaign. Back on April 25, Punjab were comfortably sitting at the top of the table with 13 points from seven games, but a dramatic slump in form has pushed them into a desperate fight for survival.
Captain Shreyas Iyer admitted the high stakes surrounding the contest after choosing to chase.
“We will bowl first. Two changes – Marco and Vyshak are in. Feeling is exciting, I would say it’s a do or die match for us. We have never been in this situation before and the boys are waiting to do their best.”
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Punjab’s qualification equation remains complicated. They not only need a victory tonight, preferably by a convincing margin, but also require favourable results elsewhere, including Rajasthan Royals dropping points and Kolkata Knight Riders failing to improve their net run rate significantly.
For Lucknow, the season has already slipped away, but captain Rishabh Pant said his side still wants to finish strongly despite a difficult campaign.
“We would have bowled first as well. This wicket is good for cricket regardless of bowling or batting. This is one of the better batting wicket, it could be a high scoring match. Two changes – Arjun and Arshin Kulkarni are in. It’s been a tough season, but at the same time, there has been a lot of learning, both for the team and personally. II’d say sorry for the fans, they have come from all over UP. It’s been tough going for us, but we’ll give our 100% today.”
Lucknow have also been hit hard by availability issues, with Mitchell Marsh missing tonight’s fixture alongside already absent overseas players Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke and Anrich Nortje. Marsh’s absence is particularly significant considering the Australian opener has scored 563 runs this season and formed a destructive opening partnership with Josh Inglis in recent games.
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Teams:
Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI): Josh Inglis, Arshin Kulkarni, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Arjun Tendulkar, Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav, Mohsin Khan
May 22, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Sterlin Thompson (30) scores a run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Mickey Moniak, the Colorado Rockies’ top offensive player this season, was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday due to a right ankle injury.
The transaction opened the door for Sterlin Thompson to join Chad Stevens as unlikely game-winning heroes.
The two players who were Triple-A teammates at mid-week will look to help the Rockies win for the second straight game on Saturday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix.
Stevens, a 27-year-old infielder, was recalled from Albuquerque on Thursday and started the past two games. Thompson, 24, was recalled Friday to fill the roster spot of Moniak.
Both Stevens and Thompson stepped up in the ninth inning of Friday night’s 3-2 win over Arizona. Thompson doubled with one out in the ninth for his second career hit, and Stevens followed with the tiebreaking single, his third major league hit.
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“It’s crazy getting the hit and then Chad bringing me in,” said Thompson, who served as the designated hitter while playing in his fourth big-league game. “It’s a great moment. Playing Triple-A together this year, it’s just find a way to win, and both of us did that in the top of the ninth.”
Thompson will get some at-bats in the short term, but there’s no telling how long his second stay in the majors will be. He played in three games earlier this month and was sent back down to Albuquerque when outfielder Tyler Freeman was activated from the paternity list on May 19.
Of course, the Rockies also don’t want to play without Moniak for long. He is batting .280 and leads Colorado with 12 homers and 28 RBIs in 43 games.
“Mickey never wants to go on the IL,” Colorado manager Warren Schaeffer said. “He’s a warrior. He’s a battler. It’s just honest, man-to-man conversation about what’s best for him, what’s best for the team. He agrees.”
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Colorado rallied from a 2-0 deficit on Friday to halt Arizona’s season-best five-game winning streak. The Diamondbacks beat the Rockies 2-1 in Thursday’s opener of the four-game set.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. drove in both Arizona runs on Friday but departed in the sixth inning with left hamstring tightness after making a sliding catch on TJ Rumfield’s fly to shallow left.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Gurriel is “day to day” and will undergo imaging on Saturday.
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“It’s unfortunate and we’ll try to figure out what that means,” Lovullo said.
Gurriel said the injury occurred while he was running.
“It doesn’t seem to be too serious,” he said through an interpreter.
Right-hander Zac Gallen (2-4, 4.78 ERA) has had success against the Rockies and will take the ball on Saturday. Gallen is 9-1 with a 3.41 ERA in 18 career starts vs. Colorado.
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Gallen ended a seven-start winless stretch in his last turn when he defeated the San Francisco Giants 12-2 on Monday. He gave up two runs and four hits over six innings.
Gallen, 30, allowed 17 runs and 19 hits in 14 1/3 innings over his previous three starts, losing each.
Ezequiel Tovar is 6-for-13 with a homer against Gallen. Hunter Goodman (2-for-8) also has taken Gallen deep.
Right-hander Michael Lorenzen (2-6, 7.03 ERA) will start for the Rockies on Saturday. He will look to halt a four-start losing streak. He has allowed 19 earned runs and 29 hits in 20 innings during the span.
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The 34-year-old gave up seven runs (six earned) and nine hits over 4 2/3 innings in an 8-6 loss to Arizona last Sunday in Denver. He served up homers to Corbin Carroll and Gurriel.
Lorenzen is 3-2 with a 3.77 ERA in 11 career appearances (three starts) against the Diamondbacks. Carroll (2-for-8) has homered twice against him.
Max Scherzer continues to make strides toward a return to the Toronto Blue Jays rotation.
Scherzer threw a bullpen of around 30 pitches on Friday, manager John Schneider told reporters on Saturday.
The Blue Jays are still working on the next plans for Scherzer, which could include another bullpen session or facing live hitters in Toronto. Once he faces live hitters, he will then go on a rehab assignment.
The 41-year-old has been battling forearm tendinitis as well as left ankle inflammation, which led to him being placed on the injured list on April 27.
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Scherzer struggled to start the season, posting a 9.64 ERA with 10 strikeouts and eight walks in 18.2 innings. He left an April 6 start against the Los Angeles Dodgers after just two frames with forearm tendinitis.
The Blue Jays brought Scherzer back on a one-year, $3-million deal with up to $10 million in performance bonuses.
The goal was scored in the 95th minute of the final and sends the Tigers to the English first division
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1 min read
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Hull City are back in the Premier League, the English first division, thanks to the late goal scored by Oliver McBurnie in the final against Middlesbrough at Wembley at the end of an eventful week, characterised by the “Spygate” scandal that disqualified Southampton and gave Middlesbrough a second chance in the playoffs.
The Tigers are back in the English top flight for the first time since the 2016-17 after going through some challenging years, also playing in the third division during the 2020-21 season.
Before the final, Hull City owner Acun Ilicali said they meant to take action in case Middlesbrough were going to win the final on Saturday, as reported by the BBC:
“Our legal team says that we have to go for action, that’s for sure. So we have no doubt about it. Here, all we want is justice. If justice is broken, nobody will enjoy football. If this action was so big that a team is out of the play-offs, why didn’t they let them not play the semifinal, investigate and take Southampton out and put Wrexham in? Why is Wrexham out now? Put Wrexham in and continue the competition. For me, an eliminated team [being] put back – also our lawyers say this and that’s their opinion too – is an incredibly wrong decision.”
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Southampton have been kicked out of the playoff final and docked four points for the 2026-27 season after admitting to spying on three different opponents during the course of the season. An appeal was officially dismissed on Wednesday, days after they admitted that they had not only spied against playoff semifinal opponents Middlesbrough but also Ipswich Town and Oxford United during the season.
Jul 21, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; The Auburn Tigers helmet on the stage during SEC Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
In all of college football this upcoming season, it’s highly doubtful any team is expected to take more of a leap than LSU.
After missing the College Football Playoff for the sixth straight season, the Tigers ended Brian Kelly’s ineffective tenure and paid out to the tune of seven years and $91 million to bring Lane Kiffin over from Ole Miss to take over as head coach.
LSU also paid up for its roster, landing the No. 1 high-school recruiting class and No. 1 transfer portal class according to 247Sports’ rankings.
They brought in one of the best quarterbacks in the portal in Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt and a host of other top players who should immediately improve the roster drastically.
LSU hasn’t won more than 10 games since its last national title in 2019 — high standards, I know — but this roster looks poised to break through with a playoff berth this fall.
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Here’s four other teams that appear ready to make the leap in 2026:
Auburn
Elsewhere in the Southeastern Conference, Auburn is also introducing a new coach this season in Alex Golesh, who left South Florida after a successful three-year stint to helm the Tigers.
Perhaps the biggest immediate win for Golesh is that his USF quarterback, Byrum Brown, followed him to Auburn. Brown arrives as one of the most experienced quarterbacks in college football, throwing for 7,286 yards, rushing for 2,086 yards and scoring 84 total touchdowns (56 passing, 28 rushing) over the last three seasons.
That’s the production the Tigers have been badly missing the last decade. At the least, it should lead them to their first eight-win season since 2019.
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UCLA
Nov 8, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Jalen Berger (0) carries for a gain in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The move from the Pac-12 to Big Ten has been challenging for UCLA.
The Bruins are a combined 8-16 (6-12 in Big Ten) in their two years in the conference. They’re coming off a 3-9 season, tied for the least wins in program history since 1971. They’ve made just two bowls in the last eight years.
Bob Chesney is hoping to fix that. The new Bruins coach has a 132-52 career record as a head coach over his unique career, which has taken him from D-III Salve Regina to UCLA. He led James Madison to a 21-6 record the last two seasons and a 2025 CFP appearance.
It may take some time for UCLA to peak under Chesney, but his track record indicates an immediate improvement is coming.
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Wisconsin
It’s not that long ago that Wisconsin was a perennial fringe Big Ten contender.
The Badgers, like UCLA, have fallen on hard times of late. After making 22 straight bowl games from 2002-23, Wisconsin has finished the last two seasons below .500.
While Luke Fickell was seen as an ace hire from Cincinnati ahead of the 2023 season, something hasn’t clicked yet as expected. Instead of firing him this offseason, the Badgers announced they would be giving the football program more money to improve its roster.
We’ve seen a similar move pay off for other schools. We’ll see if it does in Madison.
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Boise State
Boise State Broncos head coach Spencer Danielson yells out to his team as they play the Penn State Nittany Lions during their Vrbo Fiesta Bowl matchup at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 31, 2024.
Boise State is finally getting what it’s been after for decades in 2026.
It is joining a conference which could increase its legitimacy. Given, the new-look Pac-12 the Broncos are joining isn’t the Pac-12 of two years prior given the vast and recent conference realignment.
But still, it’s an upgrade in conference branding and a conference the Broncos could have immediate success with as a competitor.
They’re less than two years removed from a CFP berth and followed with nine wins last season despite significant roster overhaul.
Nov 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The top priority for the Vikings this offseason was the addition of another passer to provide competition for J.J. McCarthy. Minnesota’s decision-makers found Kyler Murray in free agency, a two-time Pro Bowler who was looking for a new job after being put on Arizona’s chopping block.
Widely expected to win the quarterback competition over McCarthy, Murray could rejuvenate his career in the Twin Cities, where Sam Darnold did just that two years ago.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon thinks Murray could enjoy the same redemption arc in the upcoming season.
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Dec 28, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks on against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
In recent years, the NFL has had one of those revival stories each year, starting with Geno Smith, Baker Mayfield, Darnold, and recently, Daniel Jones.
Gagnon wrote about Murray, “I’m not remotely ready to give up on Murray—one of the most uniquely talented players in the sport but a quarterback who consistently fell short during a seven-year run with the Cardinals that was tainted by injuries, coaching turnover, and a distinct lack of institutional support.”
The Cardinals had some talent on the roster in the first half of Murray’s tenure, but the team around him hadn’t been good in years.
“Like Watson, Murray made multiple Pro Bowls early in his career,” Gagnon added. “Unlike Watson, he has enjoyed some success as recently as 2024 and has avoided off-field controversy. Plus, he now joins a Minnesota offense that features one of the most dominant receivers in football and a strong offensive line.”
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Deshaun Watson and Kyler Murray were amongst the best passers in football in 2020, but Watson’s career took a serious tumble due to the off-field disaster and declining play, while Murray continued to perform at a solid level when available.
Nov 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
In 2024, Murray led a subpar Cardinals squad to an 8-9 record with 26 touchdowns (five rushing). Injuries derailed his 2025 season and he logged only a handful of games. A torn ACL also cost him time in 2022 and 2023. Without Murray, the Cardinals have a record of 5-25 since he was drafted in 2019.
“Murray just has to beat out 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, which shouldn’t be a problem considering just how poorly McCarthy has performed when healthy. And another way to look at it is that McCarthy could push Murray without actually doing enough to overtake him on the depth chart. This Vikings squad was a legitimate contender with 14 wins in 2024, so if a 29-year-old Murray can become comfortable and experience a rejuvenation under Kevin O’Connell, the sky’s the limit for both player and team.”
McCarthy still has a chance and it’s certainly not unprecedented that a 23-year-old signal-caller improves in a full offseason, but Murray’s experience and proven track record certainly give him the edge in the eyes of many.
Whoever gets the nod will have the benefit of throwing the ball to the receiving trio of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings. Furthermore, having head coach Kevin O’Connell in the corner has proven to be a real asset, especially for veteran quarterbacks.
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Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and head coach Kevin O’Connell talk before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
In fact, Darnold is the best example. A journeyman backup at that point, Darnold arrived in Minnesota in 2024 and suddenly earned Pro Bowl recognition for a 35-touchdown season. Sure, he brought some god-given talent with him, but so does Murray, who has the arm talent and the legs to be a dangerous weapon in the passing game.
The Vikings bet that Murray is the next QB to revitalize his career. The former first overall pick will be supported by a strong offensive ecosystem and a defense that doesn’t require him to become Superman on a weekly basis and can take pressure off his shoulders.
The blueprint is there, but only time will tell if the theory can, indeed, become reality.
Sports complexes that are slated to host key events like aquatics and athletics during the 2030 Commonwealth Games here are well on course to be ready by 2029, local organisers said on Saturday. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) Sports Enclave here and the Gujarat Police Academy at Karai, near Gandhinagar, are going to be the key facilities for competitions during the Games. The Games Organising Committee is due to be constituted in the coming weeks. The SVP Sports Enclave, which spans 335 acres and includes the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, has three other facilities currently under development.
The Games roster will feature 17 disciplines with India promising to include events like shooting, badminton and hockey, which have been dropped from the upcoming Glasgow edition as part of cost-control measures.
The Narendra Modi Stadium, which can accommodate more than one lakh spectators, will be the venue for the cricket competition.
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Apart from this an aquatics centre, a tennis court and a multipurpose arena will be a part of the complex.
The aquatics venue will have a capacity of 12,000 and is due to be finished by the second quarter of 2029.
The tennis facility, with a capacity of 24,000, is due to be completed in the third quarter of the same year, alongside the multipurpose arena that can house a crowd of 18,000.
A National Institute for Sports Excellence (NISE) is also planned within the complex.
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The 143-acre Gujarat Police Academy in Karai will have an athletics stadium with a capacity of 50,000 and, according to the local sports development officials, its completion is due in September 2028.
The Academy will also house a shooting centre incorporating indoor and outdoor ranges, with a capacity to hold 4,000 spectators. It is proposed to be completed by March 2029.
According to the local officials, both the projects are progressing in phased timelines.
“…the Commonwealth Federation decides which sports will be held where. The Indian Olympic Association and the state government also have a role in this. It is a team effort. You will get to know which sports will be held (where) in the future,” said Bhaumik Oza, the administrative head of another key facility Veer Savarkar Sports Complex here in Naranpura that is expected to host the weightlifting competition.
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On Sunday, shooter Anjum Modgil and badminton player Trupti Murgunde will be among the sporting stars in attendance when the country celebrates the Commonwealth Games Day across 8,000 locations with the main event in Ahmedabad.
The 75th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle will be organised here “in the spirit of the Commonwealth Games movement, celebrating sportsmanship, unity, fitness and national pride”.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, along with Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, will lead the event in Ahmedabad.
A special CWG-themed exhibition will also be inaugurated during the event, showcasing India”s sporting achievements over the last 12 years, alongside flagship schemes such as the Khelo India Mission and Sports Goods Manufacturing initiatives.
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Actor Ayushmann Khurrana, along with former Commonwealth medallists, including Rajani Etimarpu (Hockey), Gurjit Kaur (Hockey), Sonika Tandi (Hockey), Ankur Mittal (Shooting), Murgunde and Modgil (Shooting), as well as thousands of cyclists, will participate in the event.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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IPL 2026 | Delhi Capitals Wins By 6 Wickets Against Mumbai Indians: Redemption For Sameer Rizvi
TNT (owned by Warner Bros Discovery) hold broadcast rights for the Champions League in the UK and have made the final available to stream for free in previous years. However, earlier this month it caused outrage by confirming that viewers will only be able to watch the clash at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on Saturday 30 May on either its own platform or HBO Max, both requiring a subscription.
The broadcaster said subscriptions to HBO Max were available from £4.99, calling it “exceptional value”.
However, this will be the first time since the European Cup rebranded to the Champions League back in 1992 that the final won’t be available to watch for free. It was shown on ITV from 1992 to 2015 and then streamed for free by TNT Sports and its forerunner, BT Sport, for the past decade.
Keir Starmer is a big football, and Arsenal, fan (Getty Images)
Prime Minister Starmer, who is a huge Arsenal fan, has now decided to intervene by writing an open letter to TNT imploring them to make the game available without cost – although insists he would have done the same even if his beloved Gunners, who have reached the Champions League final for the first time since 2006, weren’t involved.
“I was saddened to see that, for the first time since the competition started 34 years ago, TNT Sports has decided that the Champions League final will not be free to watch for football supporters here in the UK,” wrote Starmer.
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“The Champions League is the biggest club football competition in the world and rightly means a lot to fans in this country – the home of football. I am a firm believer that the final of this competition should remain free to watch, whether Arsenal have made it or not.
“Obviously, I want as many fellow fans as possible to be able to watch our team in this historic final for the first time in 20 years. However, this is bigger than that. This is about supporters of all teams coming together in living rooms and pubs in every corner of the country to watch the most elite players in Europe battle it out.
“Hard-working people should not have to worry about forking out for a subscription to watch a game of this magnitude.”
Arsenal have reached their first Champions League final for 20 years (Reuters)
In response, a TNT Sports spokesperson said: “It has been a privilege to bring Uefa club competitions to sports fans across the UK throughout the season. Having three Premier League clubs reach the finals shows the strength of English football and something that we are proud to continue to support.
“We have made all three Uefa finals this year available from just £4.99, the price for a month-long subscription to HBO Max that also includes the great entertainment on the service. This represents exceptional value for fans to watch the conclusion of the competitions.”
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Arsenal have reached the Champions League final for just the second time in their history, and the first since 2006, with reigning champions PSG standing in the way of Mikel Arteta’s men, who will try to seal a remarkable double after outduelling Manchester City to clinch a first Premier League title for 22 years.
According to a report in The Guardian, governing body Uefa is irritated at TNT Sports’ decision to charge fans to watch not only the Champions League final, but also the Europa League and Conference League finals – which also involve English teams – despite having made the showpieces available to stream for free in previous seasons. The Guardian’s sources at Uefa say the decision breaks the spirit of a contract that states “best endeavours” should be made to ensure the finals are available for free.
TNT Sports can be accessed through HBO Max, BT, Sky, Virgin Media or Amazon PVC, with subscriptions typically costing between £25 and £34 a month, while a separate HBO Max plan in the UK starts from £4.99.
Arsenal will battle PSG to try and win the Champions League trophy for the first time in their history (Reuters)
And Starmer has appealed to TNT to make watching football more affordable for fans, citing a similar plea to Fifa to lower World Cup ticket prices.
“We should be putting supporters first,” continued Starmer. That is why I have already encouraged Fifa to do more to make tickets more affordable at this summer’s World Cup.
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“That is also why I want to strongly urge you to reconsider and make the final next Saturday free to watch for the millions of passionate football fans in this country.”
TNT Sports are set to lose TV rights to all three European competitions from the 2027-28 season, having been outbid by Paramount for the Champions League and by Sky Sports for the Europa League and Conference League in Uefa’s media rights auction last year.
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