Sports

Canucks take step back after small progress: ‘Important to learn from it’

Published

3 weeks ago

20 March 2026

VANCOUVER — In the last three months, the Vancouver Canucks are on a seven-game losing streak following wins.

We know, there are two problems with this statistic: small sample size and, seriously, they’ve won only seven games in three months? Yes to both.

The Canucks were schooled Thursday by the Tampa Bay Lightning, which had lost seven of their last 10 games but still looked an awful lot like Stanley Cup contenders as they thumped Vancouver 6-2 at Rogers Arena.

The lopsided loss followed by two nights the Canucks’ impressive 5-2 win against the Florida Panthers, who won the last two Cups but won’t be playing for one this spring.

Tuesday was progress for Vancouver, Thursday a step back. That’s the performance story of a rebuild in 48 hours. Still, it would be nice if the Canucks could learn to start to move forward from victories instead of retreating.

Their last winning streak — literally, just winning more than one National Hockey League game in a row — was in December, 2025. The first day of spring, 2026, is Saturday when the St. Louis Blues visit Vancouver for the sixth installment of the Canucks’ season-long (and man, their season is long) homestand.

“It wasn’t our best today, so it’s important to learn from it,” Canucks centre Marco Rossi said. “I mean, they’re a really good team to play, so it’s important to learn from it, like I said before. It’s important to stay positive. You know, you’re going to have some nights like that, but it’s important just to learn from the mistakes.”

“It was a tough game,” winger Linus Karlsson said. “Watch video tomorrow and try to get better.”

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As usual, the Canucks’ communications staff accommodated the Vancouver media’s peculiar and consistent request to speak post-game en masse to goal-scorers to explain a dismal loss.

Actually, Rossi didn’t score, but assisted on goals by Karlsson and Liam Oghren. Rossi has nine points in his last four games and bore almost no responsibility for Vancouver’s 47^th loss in 68 games.

Six different Tampa players scored on goalie Kevin Lankinen, who also was one of the less culpable Canucks, and Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel, Anthony Cirelli and Darren Raddysh all had multi-point games.

Among skaters, only Rossi rivalled any of the best Lightning players. After his two-goal game against the Panthers, Elias Pettersson was back to almost invisible against the Lightning, finishing with one shot on target in 16:10 of ice time.

“Guys kept going at it, but it was one of those nights where we got chasing a little bit,” Canucks coach Adam Foote said. “They took advantage of a couple of mistakes.

“They’ve been playing a lot of years together, so they’re connected. It’s the grit and the 50/50 battles — how hard they’re in on pucks. They’re getting into our body and we’re getting caught on the wrong side, we’re losing those 50/50s. And then when they kick it out, they’re beating you to the net. It’s, again, just being savvy.”

Yes, the Canucks have a lot to learn.

The Canucks have been much better since the Olympic break at displaying more resilience when the game turns against them. But they were utterly answerless early in the second period against the Lightning, who stacked shift upon shift in the Vancouver zone and scored three times in less than five minutes to seize control.

A 1-0 game turned into a 4-0 black hole.

Sure, there was some bad luck for the Canucks during this decisive stretch, like Lankinen losing his stick before getting beaten stick-side by Raddysh, and Kucherov redirecting a puck in off Vancouver defenceman Filip Hronek (after the Tampa star fooled young defenceman Elias Pettersson with a devious stick tap).

But the Canucks couldn’t get the puck, let alone take it down the ice to alleviate pressure. They looked in those minutes completely overmatched. Shots were 10-2 for the Lightning in the first 12 minutes of the middle period before Ohgren scored against the run of play at 12:06, making it 4-1.

“We’ve got to find ways to stop that bleeding,” veteran defenceman Marcus Pettersson said. “I think there’s too much, like, hope that a guy beats a guy and we can get something going, instead of working as a five-man unit and transporting the puck as a five-man unit up the ice. We’re going for hope plays. It feels overwhelming.

“We’ve got to have better plans to help each other out there. I think it starts with being predictable for each other. It starts with one guy setting the tone and closing in our D-zone, and that kind of sets the tone for the next guy and then the next guy. But I think we’re too hesitant and we coast a little bit, and that allows teams to have this O-zone time on us. It feels like all the games that we lose, it’s the O-zone possession time that’s a big difference.”

The Canucks had only two failed power plays, but it was nice to see 20-year-old rookie Zeev Buium quarterback the top unit during a first-period power play that followed a television timeout. Filip Hronek has dominated power-play point time recently, and Tom Willander has also had some looks on the first unit.

Buium’s confidence with the puck, his patience holding it and spinning away from pressure while using his agile skating to try to open lanes, hasn’t translated very often to passes and plays that cut open an NHL defence. He has just eight points in 31 games in all situations with the Canucks, roughly half the production the defenceman had in slightly less ice time with the Minnesota Wild.

But with a ton of offensive upside as a potential future No. 1 defenceman, and as a paramount piece in the Canucks’ rebuild, Buium certainly deserves more power-play reps down the stretch. These final 14 games for Vancouver should be all about pushing their prospects forward.

It looked like Lankinen, the veteran backup who has struggled for most of this season, was building Thursday a fourth straight quality start — his best stretch of the campaign.

He stopped the first 10 Lightning shots before Jake Guentzel, with body position on Willander, opened the scoring on a deflection at 17:37 of the first period. In the second period, Tampa scored on two more tips, as well as Raddysh’s goal when Lankinen did not have his stick.

Six goals on 30 shots is never going to be good enough for an NHL goalie, but Lankinen stopped the shooters on three two-on-ones and made one of his best saves this season to rob Hagel backside with a desperation, lunging save after Kucherov’s cross-ice pass beat four Canuck skaters.

The save was so good that Hagel circled back after the whistle to say something to Lankinen.

There have been several games this season when Lankinen just needed to be better. But he couldn’t reasonably have been expected to do much more on Thursday. This wasn’t his fault.

All season, the Canucks have run an in-arena promotion where everyone scanning a QR code on the scoreboard can save on Uber Eats when the team reaches 20 shots on goal. As a competitive barometer, that bar is far too low.

The Canucks have managed 23 or fewer shots in nine of their last 20 games, and tested Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy just 10 times in the opening 40 minutes before “peppering” him with 11 shots in the third period.

Winger Jake DeBrusk had four of the 10 Vancouver shots in the first two periods, equalling the sum amassed by the other 11 Canucks forwards. Pettersson, the original Elias, scored twice against the Panthers to end a career-long 20-game goal drought and acknowledged he needed to shoot more.

On his second shift Thursday, Drew O’Connor set up Pettersson just above the corner of the crease while he was unchecked in front of Vasilevskiy. But instead of shooting, the Canucks’ $92.8-million man held on to the puck and looked for a pass to someone else. Vancouver did not generate a shot from the sequence.

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“Error That Will Cost Delhi Capitals Massively”: South Africa Great On David Miller’s No-Single Call

Published

12 minutes ago

9 April 2026

NewsAdmin

"Error That Will Cost Delhi Capitals Massively": South Africa Great On David Miller's No-Single Call

David Miller in action.© X (formerly Twitter)

The match between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday produced a perfect thriller. DC needed eight to win off the final three balls when David Miller clobbered pacer Prasidh Krishna for a 106-metre six over long-off. Needing two off the final two balls, Miller played the ball towards square leg but denied a single despite his fellow batter Kuldeep Yadav being halfway down the track. The South African veteran backed himself to do the job, but Krishna outfoxed him with a slower bouncer. As the batters tried to steal a single on the bye, wicketkeeper Jos Buttler hit the bull’s eye to catch Kuldeep short of his crease and seal a one-run victory for GT.

South Africa’s bowling great Dale Steyn feels that the loss would cost Delhi Capitals big in the upcoming stages of the tournament.

“You are reading Kuldeep’s body language there, where he is saying to Miller: ‘Trust me. I have got this.’ You can see as he hit it, he has kind of taken off for the run and then decided against it, backing himself. He’s just hit a 106-metre six. He’s in the zone. He is feeling it. But anything can happen,” Steyn said on ESPNcricinfo.

“Miller is too good a player not to take a single. You take what is given to you. It’s a draw or tie, and then you back your tailender in terms of Kuldeep to get that single. Or even if he misses it, you are quick enough and smart enough to run and get that bye, which in the case Kuldeep wasn’t able to do. Maybe just a slight hesitation believing that Miller is the kind of player that can hit the ball out of the ground. An error that will cost them (Delhi Capitals) massively,” he added.

Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, and Washington Sundar scored fifties as GT posted a total of 210 for 4 in 20 overs while batting first. DC, on the other hand, were restricted to 209/8 despite KL Rahul smashing 92 and Miller scoring an unbeaten 41.

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Sligo v Leitrim Preview, Betting, Team News and Prediction

Published

25 minutes ago

9 April 2026

NewsAdmin

There is always a bit more edge when Sligo and Leitrim meet in championship football, and this latest Connacht quarter-final should again bring intensity and local rivalry to Markievicz Park.

Sligo will go in as favourites, having won the last three championship meetings between the counties, including a nine-point success in the Connacht championship in 2024. They also competed in Division 3 this year, while Leitrim were down in Division 4 and struggled for consistency.

Sligo finished fifth in Division 3 with three wins and four defeats, which was hardly spectacular, but it still compares favourably to Leitrim’s league return. Leitrim also won three games, but did so in Division 4 and finished seventh overall.

Derby games can produce surprises, and Leitrim will not lack heart, but Sligo appear to have the stronger platform. They look more likely to control the pace of the game and create enough scores to move on.

Sligo v Leitrim recent championship meetings

2024: Sligo 0-15 Leitrim 0-6
2022: Sligo 1-19 Leitrim 2-16 aet (Sligo won 4-3 on penalties)
2016: Sligo 2-15 Leitrim 1-10
2011: Leitrim 1-10 Sligo 0-10
2005: Leitrim 1-11 Sligo 0-9

Betting odds

Sligo are start as favourites based on league level, home advantage and recent championship results. The betting is 1/16 or Sligo -8pts

Prediction

Leitrim should make a game of it, but Sligo look the more complete side and should have enough to come through.

Prediction: Sligo to win

Predicted score: Sligo 0-17 Leitrim 0-12

Next up: The winners will play Galway in the Connacht semi-final.

Team News

Sligo – TBC

Leitrim – TBC

LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com

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Polar launches Polar Street X for hybrid training

Published

35 minutes ago

9 April 2026

NewsAdmin

By Kath Hudson 08 Apr 2026

Polar launches a new watch

Street X is designed for sports enthusiasts and health-conscious urban users

It supports more than 170 activities, including strength and functional training

Recovery and sleep tracking tools inform users of when they’re ready to train again

Polar has launched a durable, “urban-ready” sports watch offering training and recovery features and long-lasting battery life at a more affordable price point.

Street X is designed for sport enthusiasts and health‑conscious urban users whose routines span structured workouts and spontaneous movement. Supporting more than 170 sports and activities, it covers traditional activities, such as running and cycling, as well as modalities like strength training, functional training and calisthenics.

With recovery and sleep tracking tools, the watch also supports users in knowing when they are ready to train again. The sleep tracking feature detects sleep duration, quality, and stages. It also monitors nighttime heart rate, heart rate variability, autonomic nervous system activity and includes nightly skin temperature measurement.

“More than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas, turning cities into our everyday training grounds,” says Sander Werring, CEO of Polar. “With Street X, we responded to this demand by creating a rugged, design-led watch that combines Polar’s training credibility with bold, everyday wearability and durability at a more accessible price, ready to handle gym sessions, street runs and daily life.”

For the first time, an LED flashlight has been integrated, as well as GPS and route guidance.

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Bob Arum names his favourite fight after 60 years in boxing: “It was a street brawl”

Published

55 minutes ago

9 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Top Rank’s Bob Arum has been involved in boxing since the 1960’s and has been a true servant to the sport, sure to go down as one of the most influential figures in its long history. More than anyone else, he perhaps has the claim to have seen it all.

Arum’s first fight as a promoter was a clash for the heavyweight world title, as Muhammad Ali successfully defended his WBC crown against George Chuvalo in Toronto, back in 1966.

The promoter would put on 27 of Ali’s 61 professional contests in total, but crafted his legacy just as much during the 1980’s, being one of the driving forces behind fights involving the ‘Four Kings’.

Speaking to DAZN Boxing after announcing a new partnership with the streaming service, Arum revealed that his favourite fight is the legendary clash between Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns, where the middleweight duo produced an enthralling three-round slug-fest.

“My all-time favourite fight ever was Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns, because of the tour that we had them go on to publicise the fight.
“For some reason, because we had them on this tour, they rubbed each other up the wrong way and by the time the bell rang for the fight, they forgot everything they knew about boxing and they just wanted to make it into a street brawl.
“It was fantastic, it really was something. People who were there still recall it.”

The 1985 bout between Hagler and Hearns is often considered one of the greatest fights ever because of its sheer intensity and drama, with both men throwing everything from the opening bell in a relentless, high-risk battle.

In just three rounds, it delivered non-stop action, momentum swings, and elite skill under pressure – a perfect storm of violence and quality that has rarely been matched in boxing history.

Arum also highlighted Ali’s famous victory in the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ as a personal favourite, where ‘The Greatest’ cemented his dominance over Joe Frazier by knocking him out in their trilogy encounter.

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‘Six months left to live’: Yuvraj Singh reveals chilling warning he got before cancer treatment

Published

1 hour ago

9 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Yuvraj Singh has spoken about the period when he was diagnosed with cancer, saying the illness began when he was at the peak of his career, even as he continued to play for India.

At that time, Yuvraj had just played a big role in India’s 2011 World Cup win, he was Player of the Tournament. During the tournament, he was dealing with fatigue, nausea and discomfort. The illness was not detected then, and he continued to play.

After the tournament, his condition got worse and medical tests later found a rare form of cancer, with a tumour in his chest.

“Not coming to terms with it was something I was going through because, as a sportsman, you can’t be sick. You’re supposed to play for India. But eventually, I kept getting sicker and sicker while still playing cricket,” Yuvraj said in a conversation with Michael Vaughan on The Overlap podcast on YouTube.

He said sport often trains players to ignore such signs. “As a sportsman, you don’t think about being sick. You’re supposed to play for India.”

“It was hard to accept. At the peak of your career, you’re on top of a mountain and then you fall into a ditch,” Yuraj said on getting to know that he had cancer. “I was in Delhi. We were going on tour to the West Indies and England. Ganguly had retired and my Test spot had just opened. I was waiting seven years for that spot. I said, ‘I don’t care if I die, I need that spot.’ But I got sicker and sicker.”

The seriousness of his condition became clear after doctors explained the risks.

“He said to me, ‘Mate, I’ve looked at your scans. The tumour is sitting between your heart and lung, right on the pipe. Either you go and play cricket, or you might have a heart attack. I think you’ve got three to six months left if you don’t do chemotherapy.’”

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Unraced retirement announced for $10m Winx filly Quinceanera

Published

1 hour ago

9 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Winx’s pioneering foal, the mare who seized international spotlight two years prior at this period, won’t ever compete on the track.

Woppitt Bloodstock of the Kepitis clan, after dropping $10 million on the Pierro-sired filly named Quinceanera, posted the update via social channels Wednesday.

The accompanying video depicted her period with Chris Waller – Winx’s storied handler – and noted the retirement followed advice from vets and the trainer himself.

“Although disappointing, it’s in her best interest to now begin her career as a broodmare,” the statement read.

No revelation on which stallion awaits her in the upcoming breeding season.

Shared precisely two years after her Inglis Easter auction success, as Debbie Kepitis outmaneuvered US bidder John Stewart.

Part-owner Kepitis of Winx, who notched 37/43 wins (33 in succession, 25 Group 1) and nearly $26.5m prizemoney.

With Quinceanera as one of two surviving Winx foals, the other a 2024 Snitzel colt eyed for Inglis Easter but sidelined pre-sale by injury.

Post-colt, Winx had a layoff before joining Too Darn Hot at Darley last season.

Breeding news like this influences future fields, so review racing betting markets at trusted sites.

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Free gym membership for 11- to 16-year-olds in Manchester

Published

2 hours ago

9 April 2026

NewsAdmin

By Kath Hudson 07 Apr 2026

Manchester City Council is introducing free junior memberships / Manchester City Council

Radical move to tackle health inequalities from Manchester City Council

Free memberships will be offered to 11- to 16-year-old high school students

This is an extension of a free swimming programme for under-16s

Council leader, Bev Craig, says they have listened to what young people want

Manchester City Council has launched an ambitious programme to offer free gym memberships and access to fitness classes for 11- to 16-year-old secondary school pupils.

This is an extension of the ‘Free Swim for 16 and Under’ programme which aims to put physical activity at the heart of the city’s drive to reduce health inequalities by opening up more opportunities for residents to get active, improve their wellbeing and enjoy inclusive, community‑focused sport and movement.

Those facing the greatest barriers will also be supported through targeted interventions to help create a healthier, fairer, and more connected Manchester.

Leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, said: “Young people told us they wanted free things to do and they wanted to keep healthy. We’ve listened and made this really important investment.

“After years of cuts, better funding from government means we’re able to invest in the things that matter to people. So we’re investing extra cash in keeping our residents across the city happy and healthy.”

The initiative goes live from May half term at Arcadia Leisure Centre, Abraham Moss Leisure Centre, Belle Vue Sports Village, Broadway Baths, East Manchester Leisure Centre, Hough End Leisure Centre, Manchester Aquatics Centre, Moss Side Leisure Centre, North City Family and Fitness Centre, Whalley Range Sports Centre and Wythenshawe Forum.

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BetMGM Grand National Offers | Free Bonus Bets & Promos

Published

2 hours ago

9 April 2026

NewsAdmin

All eyes are on Aintree this week ahead of the 178th edition of one of the UK’s most prestigious horse races, the Grand National.

Ahead of the famed race, horse racing betting sites are providing customers with plenty of Grand National offers.

The BetMGM Grand National offer is a ‘bet and get’ offer, providing new customers with £40 in Grand National free bets when they sign up and bet £10.

And along with similar Grand National betting sites, BetMGM are running several offers during the three-day meeting for existing customers too.

To that end, we’ve compiled a guide to the latest BetMGM Grand National offers, including information on the BetMGM sign up offer and any relevant info on BetMGM Grand National free bets.

What is the BetMGM Grand National offer?

The latest BetMGM Grand National offer, which runs before and during the Grand National Festival, is a standard bet £10, get £40 offer.

To claim the offer, customers can sign up via our link and deposit a minimum of £10 through an eligible payment method.

Next, bettors must wager £10 or more on any sports market at odds of evens or greater. This is a low odds threshold to unlock any welcome bonus, though each-way bets must have a £20 total stake with only the win part qualifying for the BetMGM Grand National offer.

The free bet offer from BetMGM is split into the following denominations: 1x £10 free horse racing bet, 1x £10 free football bet, 2x £10 free bet builder bets.

Grand National free bets will be credited to a bettor’s account after their qualifying wager has been settled.

The horse racing and football free bets don’t have any requirements attached to them and can be placed on a selection at any price. However, the free bet builder wagers must have combined odds of 3/1 or higher.

Free bets expire within seven days, and you must select the free bets via the checkbox on the betslip when you want to use them.

Is there a BetMGM bonus code for Grand National 2026?

Customers don’t need to use a BetMGM offer code to unlock the BetMGM Grand National offer.

All new customers need to do is click our link before depositing £10 and betting £10 on any sports market, including the Grand National, with odds of evens or greater.

BetMGM Grand National Offers – Bet boosts

Customers will find bet boosts among the BetMGM Grand National offers, with the bookie choosing to enhance the odds on selected horses or other single markets.

These bet boosts will be available throughout the meeting, which starts on Thursday and runs through the Grand National, with several boosts available on the day of the race.

BetMGM Grand National Offers – Golden Silks

BetMGM’s Golden Silks scheme gives bettors the chance to bag a profit boost token for each day of the 2026 Grand National Festival.

Punters will need to opt in and then wager a minimum of £20 or more on racing to unlock seven profit boost tokens, with one available each day of the week.

The tokens can secure a 10 per cent boost for any winning bets and will be available to use on any race at Aintree, including Saturday’s Grand National.

BetMGM Grand National Offers – Golden Wheel

Existing BetMGM customers can secure free bets and more by spinning the Golden Wheel, which is a unique BetMGM Grand National offer.

Users are entitled to one free spin per day to unlock prizes, such as BetMGM free bets, up to £5,000 in cash, free spins and more.

BetMGM Grand National Offers – Best odds guaranteed

BetMGM offers customers the best odds guaranteed for bets placed on the Grand National after 11am on the day of the race.

BetMGM pays out at the best possible price, so if the starting price is greater than the odds you took, you’ll receive the bigger price.

BetMGM Grand National Offers – Each-Way Plus

BetMGM regularly runs its each-way plus offer on UK and Irish races, and the Grand National Festival will be no exception.

The each-way plus promotion boosts the number of places paid out on for each-way wagers.

Punters can expect extra places to be available on several races at Aintree across all three days.

How does the BetMGM free bet offer compare with rival Grand National offers?

BetMGM is one of the best new horse racing betting sites on the market and provides one of the best Grand National offers for new customers. Check out the table below to see how it compares against rival bookmakers with our table below.

Bookmaker Advertisement	Offer	Free bet restrictions?	Eligible payment methods
Betfair Sportsbook Advertisement	Bet £10, get £50 in free bets	Free bets can only be used on accumulators, bet builders & other multiples	Bank transfer, debit card & Apple Pay
Paddy Power Advertisement	Bet £5, get £30 in free bets	n/a	Debit card, Apple Pay, bank transfer
Betfred Advertisement	Bet £10, get £50 in free bets	3x £10 free sports bets, 2x £10 free accumulator bets	Debit card, Apple Pay, instant bank transfer
BetGoodwin Advertisement	Bet £10, get £15 in free bets	1x £5 sports bet, 1x £5 acca bet, 1x £5 sub cover bet	Debit card
NetBet Advertisement	Bet £10, get £20	£5 football bet builder, £5 football acca, £5 horse racing acca, £5 tennis bet	Debit card, bank transfer, Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal

Responsible Gambling

If you decide to engage with any of the BetMGM betting offers highlighted on this page, remember to gamble responsibly, even when using free bets.

Betting should only ever be considered a form of entertainment – it will never be a surefire way to make money.

When taking advantage of Grand National offers, assume you’ll lose and therefore, only wager what you can afford. Please take steps to remain in control of your time and budget.

Make sure you use the responsible gambling tools offered by betting companies such as deposit limits, reality checks, loss limits and time outs. These can stop gambling from getting out of hand.

The same applies if you’re using new casino sites, slot sites, poker sites or any other form of gambling.

If you have gambling-related concerns, then seek independent help. There are several UK charities and institutions that offer support, advice and information, with a few listed below:

We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

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£17 tickets still available for Tyson Fury vs Makhmudov ahead of Saturday fight

Published

2 hours ago

9 April 2026

NewsAdmin

The Gypsy King is set to go against Russian heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov

Callum Crumlish and Kieran Isgin Tech & gaming affiliate writer

17:01, 09 Apr 2026

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

It may seem as though Tyson Fury only recently walked away from boxing, yet the heavyweight star is poised to make a dramatic comeback to the sport. The Mancunian fighter previously announced his retirement following his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024.

However, earlier this year he began teasing a return to the ring, sharing glimpses of his training sessions and hinting at potential venues for his next fight. Eventually, he made it official – and this weekend, the wait is finally over.

On Saturday, April 11, Tyson Fury will take on Russian heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov in a highly anticipated bout at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. While the fight will be broadcast live on Netflix, many fans will undoubtedly want to witness the two heavyweight contenders go head-to-head for their careers, honour and legacy in person.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to do exactly that. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ranks among the largest and most prestigious arenas in the UK, with a capacity of 62,000 spectators, reports the Mirror.

As such, tickets remain available despite the general sale having launched several months ago. There’s a host of general admission and VIP and hospitality options still up for grabs, reports the Mirror.

Below, we’ve outlined everything supporters need to know about securing tickets for Fury vs Makhmudov this weekend.

How to buy Fury vs Makhmudov tickets

Tickets for Fury vs Makhmudov are currently on sale through a range of online ticketing retailers, including official, resale and VIP platforms. The most affordable option for tickets is currently through resale website Viagogo.

The online secondary market has tickets available from as low as £17 per person. This is by far the cheapest and most straightforward way to secure Fury vs Makhmudov tickets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend.

Next is VIP and hospitality specialist Seat Unique. This online retailer focuses on providing fans with access to live events alongside added perks such as early entry, food and drink packages, premium seating and much more.

Prices start at £219 per person for Premium Seats, rising to £999 for access to the Super Suite. Tickets are also still available through Ticketmaster, which has a range of tickets on offer for around £50 for seats towards the top of the venue. Prices rise to as much as £4,000 each for ringside access.

Where is Fury vs Makhmudov?

Tyson Fury will face Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The north London arena serves as the home ground of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

Many major acts have graced this impressive 60,000+ capacity venue, including Beyoncé, Coldplay and many others.

Fury v Makhmudov Undercard

Tyson Fury v Arslanbek Makhmudov – Heavyweight
Conor Benn v Regis Prograis – Catchweight (Super Welterweight)
Jeamie TKV v Richard Riakporhe – For TKV’s British heavyweight title
Frazer Clarke v Justis Huni – Heavyweight

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Why Indian broadcasters hesitant to buy FIFA WC 2026, 2030 media rights? | FIFA World Cup 2022

Published

2 hours ago

9 April 2026

NewsAdmin

FIFA is facing a major challenge in India as the media rights for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups remain unsold, despite the 2026 tournament kicking off in just a few weeks. The governing body began the sale process in July 2025, initially asking for $100 million, but has now slashed the price to $35 million in a bid to attract buyers. However, even this steep reduction has not been enough to secure a deal.

JioStar front runners so far

JioStar, formed after the merger of Star India and Viacom18, is currently the leading contender, valuing the rights at around $25 million for both editions. Its predecessor, Viacom18, had paid $62 million for the 2022 World Cup. Currency fluctuations, particularly a stronger US dollar, have further increased costs for broadcasters dealing with dollar-denominated rights.

Let us try to find out why is this the case in a country where football is consistently growing interest among the young generation –

Consolidation reduces competition

The merger of Star India and Viacom18 has dramatically reduced competition, leaving fewer serious bidders. Sony Sports, Eurosport, and FanCode have also shown limited appetite for high-value sports rights, citing profitability concerns and strategic priorities. Even Zee Entertainment, exploring sports channels, is yet to enter high-value deals.

Cricket’s dominance and budget constraints

Heavy investments in cricket, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) and ICC events, have consumed a large share of broadcasters’ budgets. Cricket also offers more advertising opportunities with frequent commercial breaks, unlike football, which restricts inventory and limits revenue potential.
For a comparison to that of cricket media rights, the ongoing IPL media rights cycle for 2023–2027 is worth ₹48,390 crore, which averages around ₹9,678 crore per year. This breaks down to roughly ₹118 crore ($14.61 million) for each match.

Unfavourable match timings

FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will be held across the US, Canada, and Mexico, meaning games will air late at night or early morning in India. These inconvenient timings are expected to lower live viewership, further diminishing ad revenue potential.

Football’s fragmented audience

While football is India’s second-most popular sport with over 300 million fans, the viewership is highly concentrated in metros and regions like Kerala, Goa, and the Northeast. This fragmented audience makes it harder to attract mass-market advertising.

Declining rights values across leagues

The hesitation is part of a broader trend. Premier League media rights have fallen from $145 million (2013-16) to $65 million (2025–28). Similarly, Indian Super League (ISL) rights dropped from Rs 275 crore to Rs 8.62 crore in one season. Bundesliga, La Liga, and UEFA competitions have also seen declining valuations in India.

Structural changes in India’s sports media market, the dominance of cricket, fragmented football viewership, limited ad inventory, and unfavorable match timings together explain why broadcasters remain cautious about investing in FIFA World Cup 2026 and 2030 media rights. Despite football’s popularity, these factors make it a high-risk proposition for Indian buyers.

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