Populous has unveiled the design for the National Tennis Centre at Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia — a 30-court complex that will become the future home of international tennis in Saudi Arabia.

The National Tennis Centre is owned and developed by Qiddiya Investment Company, and is a core pillar of Saudi Vision 2030.

Designed by Populous as lead architect, lead interior designer and lead masterplanner, the National Tennis Centre will be the region’s largest tennis centre, built to ATP, WTA and ITF standards across all courts. 

Located at Qiddiya City, around 45km from Riyadh, the National Tennis Centre features layered landscapes and green facades linking the facility to the surrounding Tuwaiq Mountains. 

The centre features 30 courts – 28 hard courts and two clay courts – integrated into the landscape of Qiddiya City. It combines world-class competition infrastructure with elite training and wellness facilities, a vibrant public realm, and two multi-purpose arenas. 

The 15,000-seat flagship Centre Court arena and 8,000-seat Court 3 arena both have retractable roofs for climate control, and have been designed to be multi-use, suitable for hosting sports, concerts and major events. 

The National Tennis Centre is located next to a Sir Nick Faldo signature designed 18-hole Championship golf course set to open later this year, as well as future homes, offices, and retail as part of a new city planned to be three times the size of Paris.

A key role
The centre will play a major role in the broader ambitions led by the Ministry of Sport to further elevate sports in Saudi Arabia and encourage increased participation, supporting all levels of the game, from grassroots initiatives introducing tennis to children for the first time, to supporting elite talent. 

“The National Tennis Centre at Qiddiya City will become a major new destination for elite tournament tennis not just in Saudi Arabia, but across the wider region and indeed globally,”  said Shireen Hamdan, global director at Populous and general manager of Populous KSA.

“Its approach to community integration is unique — at no other elite sports facility whether for tennis or any other sport do you see such a seamless integration of community and elite sporting facilities. It will serve not only this generation of Saudis, but many generations to come.”

National Tennis Centre: Key Facts and Figures

•        30 tennis courts (28 hard courts, two clay courts)

•        Centre Court: 15,000 seats. A flagship arena with a retractable roof

•        Court 1: 5,000 seats

•        Court 2: 2,000 seats

•        Court 3 (Arena): 8,000 seats. Multi-use arena with retractable roof

•        Outdoor match courts: 450 seats per court

•        6 competition/match courts; 6 indoor courts; 14 practice courts including clay

•        Total seating across the centre: 33,000

McDonald Jones Stadium will play host to Sunday’s
Round 18 NRL game between Newcastle Knights and
Dolphins. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with Dolphins heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Newcastle Knights vs.
Dolphins
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday July 5, 2026 at 4:05 pm

Where: McDonald Jones Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins Odds

Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins Preview

Newcastle and the Dolphins close the round in a clash that could have significant implications for the race to the finals. The Dolphins escaped with a dramatic victory last week but now face life without influential halfback Isaiya Katoa, whose absence places greater responsibility on Brad Schneider to steer the attack. Newcastle, meanwhile, continues to build confidence after grinding out another hard-fought victory over the Wests Tigers. While the Knights have not always been convincing, they have consistently found ways to collect competition points — something that eluded them in similar situations last season. With both clubs firmly in the top-eight conversation, Sunday’s contest shapes as one of the most important games of the weekend.

The sport of baseball continues to evolve with time. From the implementation of the designated hitter to, more recently, the pitch clock, the game has undergone significant changes. Another aspect of that evolution involves how the media covers it. No longer are press boxes filled with smoke and typewriters. Some of baseball’s most impactful voices may never step foot in a press box all season.

Moreover, in the podcast space, there was a hole in the industry’s coverage of baseball. One that Scott Braun and Marc Weiner saw as an opportunity. The former producers leaned on their experience from various stops, including ESPN and MLB Network, and navigated a path to create a content destination that served an underserved baseball audience. In 2023, the Foul Territory Network was born as a podcast network focused on baseball the way it should be covered.

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“We tried to take the playbook from what other sports were doing well and apply it to baseball. What we found was the baseball audience has their own uniqueness to it,” explained Braun, who serves as the executive producer and lead host of the flagship program on the Foul Territory Network.

Since 2023, the Foul Territory Network has grown from a single program with Braun as its lead host to a network of 30 programs serving audiences on both the local and national levels. The talent roster that comprises the network consists of a mix of personalities. From those surrounding the game, from former players and executives to local beat reporters and passionate fans of specific teams.

In less than three years, the Foul Territory Network has grown at a rate that is rare for on-demand content centered around a single sport.

“It happened a lot faster than we thought,” said Weiner, who serves as the CEO of Make Plays Media, the production company behind Foul Territory Network. “I did not think that we would grow that much this quickly. But once we started doing it, we found our formula for further growth.”

A Changing Dynamic Of Coverage

According to Braun, the origins of the network’s concept were rooted in feedback he received from former players. While other sports had former players and executives launching successful podcast platforms, baseball seemingly lagged behind. Adapting to the mission statement of covering baseball the way it should be covered, Braun feels launching the Foul Territory Network has, in turn, brought more attention to the sport itself.

“We want to grow the game. Our platform has grown the game in creating virality on a number of social platforms. Based on the views or stories that players share where they feel more comfortable here to share them here,” notes Braun. “You’re growing the game by allowing that player to share something they couldn’t before on one of our shows.”

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To build a network, you need people and personnel. Currently, the Foul Territory Network houses 30 programs with multiple talents involved in each. Every show added to the network begins with a concept developed internally or someone approaching the company with either an idea or a proof of concept.

While the amount of growth over the past three years is impressive, it has also remained measured.

“We’re careful about growing too fast. We had never done anything like this before we started. Thankfully, people in our orbit shared some great advice about that,” said Weiner. “We’re careful about growing at the right pace. But also bringing the right people aboard to fit our vibe and putting them in places to succeed.”

Authenticity Wins

Both Braun and Weiner are students of their audience. They listen for the type of content fans desire and follow where the audience chooses to consume it. It’s a balance that requires patience and skill. With their television backgrounds, content must not only have depth but also look and sound as polished as any network production.

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However, the biggest focus for Foul Territory is authenticity. With a mix of former players and executives who have worked in the game, ensuring their perspective is on point is vital. Adding current and former beat reporters to the mix provides up-to-date information and credibility. Regardless, the end product must always be consistent and honest with the audience.

“You need to be able to talk about the highs and the lows. If you’re not comfortable with that, we don’t want to put you in a bad spot,” explains Weiner. “We have so many writers and commentators who have a primary job. We’re happy they’re allowing us to work with their people. This allows them an expansion on what they’re doing and what they’re great at.”

There are many elements of Foul Territory’s approach that deserve credit for the growth it has earned over the past three years. However, perhaps the single greatest element was the company’s video-first approach from launch.

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“It’s been huge and was a great call right from the jump,” said Braun. “That was super important for us. Just in the last three or four years, the industry has continued to shift to video-first. It doesn’t touch what you’re listening to; it just enhances what you’re watching… We have everything available on podcast platforms, but we wanted a true viewing experience and not a conference call.”

Weiner’s experience working behind the scenes at ESPN was a driving force behind not only the concept but also the execution. Every motion matters. Every graphic should be crisp and flow with the presentation. In an industry that continues to evolve daily in how audiences consume video content, the bar must continue to rise.

“We want it to look as close to TV as possible. There’s a lot of overhead with television. We wanted to be as close to that experience without going and buying a building,” said Weiner. “We have conversations all the time on how to improve. We’re all in this together. In a lot of ways, it’s growing, but it’s also shrinking as well. It’s a small community. We don’t look at others as competitors. We’re not just growing the game, we’re also growing the industry at the same time.”

With growth comes the question of expansion. While there’s a keen eye on not growing too quickly, both Braun and Weiner admit there are plenty of ideas for future expansion on the wish list. From creating different content verticals outside of sports to exploring new avenues with current talent on the roster.

An Uncertain Future For Baseball

One area where Foul Territory is already expanding is coverage of the continued labor negotiations between MLB and the MLBPA. With every step of the ongoing discussions involving a new CBA, Foul Territory plans to provide full and comprehensive coverage for as long as the conversations continue.

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“From a content perspective, the only goal I have is to bring on as many people, ideas, and conversations to the network on all sides of the discussion,” said Braun. “No guest gets turned down that makes sense to have on. From Rob Manfred to Bruce Meyer. Anyone allowed to speak on the matter, we want to let them cook and speak on every idea while asking the right follow-ups.”

Because of the roster that Foul Territory has assembled, it provides perspective on all fronts of the conversation. From former players, executives, and general managers to insiders with connections around every angle of the story. The result is an objective, down-the-line approach that delivers discussions unique to the platform.

“In the digital space of baseball, who else could provide the approach we’ll provide to this topic,” asked Weiner. “Whatever your perspective is on this, we’re completely independent. That was so important to Scott and I. We’re not one side or the other. We’re bringing people on and having conversations. We must be mindful of people who are representing both sides so you can have the discussions that need to be had.”

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While baseball’s immediate future is unknown, the spotlight on the Foul Territory Network continues to grow. With hopes of adding more shows and involving more current players, both Braun and Weiner believe there is no limit to how much growth the network could see over the next few years.

In many ways, Foul Territory’s rise mirrors the evolution of baseball itself. The game remains rooted in tradition, but the ways fans consume it continue to change. Braun and Weiner recognized that shift early, building a platform that prioritizes authenticity, accessibility, and meaningful conversation at a time when baseball fans were searching for more direct connections to the sport.

What began as a single show has quickly become one of the most influential baseball-focused content destinations in the industry. Yet despite the rapid growth, the mission remains unchanged: cover baseball the way fans want it covered and provide a platform where the game’s most important voices can be heard.

As the sport navigates new challenges, labor discussions, and an increasingly crowded media landscape, the Foul Territory Network appears positioned to remain at the center of the conversation.

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If the first three years are any indication, Braun and Weiner are still only in the early innings of what they hope to build.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

John Mamola

John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.

linktr.ee/johnmamola

The post How the Foul Territory Network Is Leading a Baseball Media Revolution appeared first on Barrett Media.

The renowned bloodline of former champion sprinter Black Caviar made its mark on the midweek Sydney racing card, as her granddaughter, Ready Forcocktails, achieved a notable maiden win.

The filly, prepared by the formidable training partnership of John, Wayne, and Michael Hawkes, was making just her fourth career start and second in the current season, having previously finished runner-up to Celestial Charm on the Kensington track last month.

Winning jockey Tyler Schiller commented that the three-year-old had consistently displayed talent during her trackwork and expressed his pleasure at seeing her finally break her maiden status.

“She has always shown so much at home, so we expected a bit before this run,” Schiller said. “But obviously, she ran into a nice enough two-year-old last start and last ‘prep’, she didn’t have a couple of things go her way. Today, she has found the right race to get a bit of confidence under the belt.”

Ready Forcocktails, sent off as the $3.20 favourite, responded exceptionally well to Schiller’s guidance, taking out Wednesday’s TAB Plate (1150m) by a convincing three lengths from Claudel ($4.60). Sorentina ($18) secured third place, a further three-quarters of a length behind the runner-up.

Schiller highlighted that the victor was well-suited by a strong, genuine pace and maintained her momentum effectively through the finishing post.

“She lobbed in a lovely spot, and the pace was nice today,” he remarked. “The other day it was a touch steady for her, but very happy with the way she has put them away.”

Meanwhile, the two-year-old filly Consulate achieved a significant milestone with her maiden city success in the Robrick Lodge Plate (1250m).

Chris Waller’s assistant trainer, Charlie Duckworth, indicated that the stable had held the juvenile’s half-brother, Battuta, in high regard, which was a primary consideration when they purchased her as a yearling.

“It’s a bit of a relief really. We had the half-brother called Battuta, who showed a lot of early promise and that was a good reason behind purchasing this filly at the Easter sales,” Duckworth stated. “Unfortunately, he didn’t quite work out, but she looks like she is. Hopefully she can go on with the task now. Over further, she is going to be better suited.”

Starting as the $2.60 favourite, Consulate out-finished a game Castelbella ($12), with the stablemate Snitzel’s Girl ($6.50) claiming third place.

Ready Forcocktails made a strong impression, and the betting markets for the upcoming racing odds are already generating interest. You can compare the latest offers at racing betting markets.

United States’ Malik Tillman (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring on a free kick. (AP Photo)

The United States overcame second-half adversity to defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday night, securing only the second FIFA World Cup knockout-stage victory in the nation’s history despite playing the final 26 minutes with 10 men after Folarin Balogun’s controversial red card.Balogun opened the scoring with his third goal of the tournament before being sent off midway through the second half, but Malik Tillman produced a stunning late free-kick to seal a memorable Round of 32 triumph and send the hosts into the last 16 of the expanded 48-team tournament.The victory sets up a mouth-watering clash against Belgium in Seattle on Monday as Mauricio Pochettino’s side continue their dream of a deep World Cup run on home soil.

Balogun shines before red card drama

The United States entered the match as favourites but survived an early scare after goalkeeper Matt Freese produced two crucial saves to deny Ermedin Demirovic, while Kerim Alajbegovic also threatened from a corner.Once the hosts settled, Balogun took centre stage.The striker had one goal ruled out for offside and appealed for penalties on two separate occasions before finally breaking the deadlock just before half-time. Tim Ream intercepted possession near midfield before Malik Tillman slipped a clever pass into the box, allowing Balogun to slide a left-footed finish beyond Nikola Vasilj for his third goal of the tournament.The strike left him just one goal shy of Bert Patenaude’s long-standing record of four goals by an American player at a single World Cup, set in 1930. Balogun celebrated with his version of LeBron James’ iconic “Silencer” gesture, earning an approving reaction from the NBA superstar.However, the evening took a dramatic turn in the 64th minute. Balogun was shown a straight red card after a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic, forcing the hosts to play the remainder of the contest a man down.

Tillman seals famous victory

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Americans remained composed defensively and frustrated Bosnia’s attempts to find an equaliser.The decisive moment arrived in the 82nd minute when Tillman curled a brilliant free-kick from just outside the penalty area. Vasilj managed to get a hand to the effort but could only help it into the net as Levi’s Stadium erupted in celebration.The victory ended a miserable run against European opposition at the World Cup. The United States had failed to beat a European team in the tournament since defeating Portugal in 2002 and had gone 13 World Cup meetings without a victory, including a heartbreaking extra-time defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16 in 2014.It also snapped a 10-match winless streak against European opponents at the World Cup and marked just the second knockout-stage triumph in U.S. men’s World Cup history after the famous 2002 Round of 16 victory over Mexico. The Americans had previously reached the semifinals in the inaugural 1930 edition after topping their group before the knockout format was introduced.Bosnia, meanwhile, exited with plenty of pride after reaching the knockout rounds for the first time in only their second World Cup appearance, having drawn with Canada and defeated Qatar during the group stage.