A league table of football fans has been released as police call for more financial help in dealing with match day violence.

The Home Office announced on Thursday that incidents were reported at 1,644 matches in England and Wales during the 2025-26 season – the highest figure since the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) started collecting the data in 2017-18.

West Ham remained the club with the highest number of banning orders in force – increasing from 112 to 121. Manchester City were the club with the highest number of arrests (102), followed by Chelsea (76), Manchester United (67), Arsenal (66), Millwall (63).

Chief Constable Mark Roberts of Cheshire Police said the current model of funding – under which he said £70million of the cost falls on taxpayers – “doesn’t work” and “simply cannot continue”.

“We will continue to work with our partners including the Crown Prosecution Service, Premier League, EFL and FA to collectively make football a safe environment for the overwhelming majority of supporters who just want to enjoy the game,” Roberts said.

“However, a key part of this is looking at the funding provided to police forces by football clubs as the current model simply doesn’t work.

“Football-related crime doesn’t simply stop when fans exit the stadium, but under the current system multi-billion-pound football clubs do not have to pay a penny towards the policing outside their grounds.

“This means that taxpayers are left footing the £70m bill each season, which simply cannot continue.”

A Premier League spokesperson said: “The Premier League and its clubs work closely with police forces at a national and local level to ensure safe and welcoming environments for all fans.

“We are investing more than £90million a season in stewarding, security, crime prevention in communities and a series of technology-led pilots in partnership with a number of police forces and the UKFPU.

“This partnership approach will help the police to safely reduce the demand for policing around football matches, as the number of arrests continue to fall significantly over the last decade.”

The EFL has also been contacted for a response.

For the 2023-24 season, football clubs covered £14.87m of the total policing cost, with taxpayers picking up the £56.82m remainder, according to UKFPU figures.

The Home Office figures published on Thursday found there were 2,460 banning orders in force as of June 1, 2026, the highest since the end of the 2011-12 season.

There was also a 73 per cent rise in the number of online hate and abuse incidents in 2025-26 compared to the prior season – 405, up from 234.

Football-related arrests and police actions (1,963) were down by two per cent on the previous year, with 45 of those arrests made for unauthorised entry, which became a Schedule 1 offence under the Football Spectators Act 1989 on March 22 this year.

This is the second consecutive season where the number of arrests has fallen. There was a 59 per cent increase in the number of football-related arrests between the last season before the Covid-19 pandemic – 2018-19 – and the first full season after it – 2021-22.

The 2026 NFL schedule features all 32 teams, nine international games, key prime-time matchups and a Super Bowl LX rematch to open the season. (Image via Twitter)

The NFL schedule 2026 begins with a Super Bowl LX rematch. The defending champion Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.One night later, the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. That matchup begins a record nine-game international 2026 NFL schedule spread across seven countries and four continents.Below is the complete regular-season schedule for all 32 NFL teams. The tables include each opponent, date, bye week and confirmed international location. Week 18 dates and kickoff times remain undecided. The NFL will also assign dates and times to several designated Week 16 and Week 17 games later in the season.

When does the 2026 NFL season start?

The 2026 preseason begins with the Carolina Panthers facing the Arizona Cardinals in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. ET. The rest of the preseason runs from Aug. 13 through Aug. 29.The regular season opens Sept. 9 with the Patriots visiting the Seahawks. Week 1 also includes an international NFC West game, eight early Sunday matchups and a Monday night AFC West meeting between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.Each team will play 17 regular-season games across 18 weeks. The league placed bye weeks between Week 5 and Week 14.

What are the 2026 NFL international games?

The NFL scheduled nine international games in 2026, its largest international slate to date.

The Jaguars will play consecutive games in London. The 49ers will travel internationally twice, opening against the Rams in Melbourne before facing the Vikings in Mexico City.

2026 NFC East schedules

The NFC East schedule includes a Cowboys-Giants opener, an Eagles-Commanders Week 1 matchup and two Thanksgiving games involving Philadelphia and Dallas.

Dallas Cowboys schedule 2026

New York Giants schedule 2026

Philadelphia Eagles schedule 2026

Washington Commanders schedule 2026

2026 NFC North schedules

The NFC North schedule includes a Christmas Day game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. The Detroit Lions will also host the Bears on Thanksgiving before playing the New York Giants on Monday night in Week 16.

Chicago Bears schedule 2026

Detroit Lions schedule 2026

Green Bay Packers schedule 2026

Minnesota Vikings schedule 2026

2026 NFC South schedules

The NFC South will send three teams overseas. The Atlanta Falcons face the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, the New Orleans Saints meet the Pittsburgh Steelers in Paris and the Carolina Panthers remain in the United States for all 17 games.

Atlanta Falcons schedule 2026

Carolina Panthers schedule 2026

New Orleans Saints schedule 2026

Tampa Bay Buccaneers schedule 2026

2026 NFC West schedules

The Seattle Seahawks open the season against the New England Patriots on Wednesday night. The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers then meet in Melbourne one day later.

Arizona Cardinals schedule 2026

Los Angeles Rams schedule 2026

San Francisco 49ers schedule 2026

Seattle Seahawks schedule 2026

2026 AFC East schedules

The AFC East schedule sends the Buffalo Bills to Minnesota for a Monday night game and places the New England Patriots in the season opener and the Munich game. Buffalo will host the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving.

Buffalo Bills schedule 2026

Miami Dolphins schedule 2026

New England Patriots schedule 2026

New York Jets schedule 2026

2026 AFC North schedules

The AFC North schedule includes a Ravens-Cowboys international game in Rio de Janeiro, a Bengals-Falcons matchup in Madrid and a Steelers-Saints game in Paris. Baltimore and Cincinnati will also meet on New Year’s Eve.

Baltimore Ravens schedule 2026

Cincinnati Bengals schedule 2026

Cleveland Browns schedule 2026

Pittsburgh Steelers schedule 2026

2026 AFC South schedules

The Jacksonville Jaguars will play two consecutive London games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans. The Indianapolis Colts will face the Washington Commanders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium one week earlier.

Houston Texans schedule 2026

Indianapolis Colts schedule 2026

Jacksonville Jaguars schedule 2026

Tennessee Titans schedule 2026

2026 AFC West schedules

The AFC West owns the final game of Week 1, with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Denver Broncos on Monday night. The division also has three Christmas Day participants, with Denver hosting Buffalo and Kansas City facing San Francisco.

Denver Broncos schedule 2026

Kansas City Chiefs schedule 2026

Las Vegas Raiders schedule 2026

Los Angeles Chargers schedule 2026

Which NFL teams have a bye in 2026?

No team has a bye during the opening four weeks. The Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs receive the first breaks in Week 5, while the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys have the latest byes in Week 14.

How to watch the 2026 NFL schedule

NFL games will air across broadcast television, cable networks, and streaming platforms throughout the 2026 season. The channel depends on the game window, while local availability can vary by market.

NFL+ provides access to live local and prime-time games on supported devices. Fans outside the United States can stream the season through NFL Game Pass International on DAZN, although local broadcast rights vary by country.The league can move selected games through flexible scheduling. Dates, kickoff times, and networks for Week 18 will be confirmed after Week 17.

The Baltimore Ravens enter training camp with one of the more interesting cornerback rooms in the AFC.

There is star power at the top, experience in the middle, and a long list of young defensive backs fighting for the final roster spots. Marlon Humphrey remains the established veteran. Nate Wiggins has the talent to become the next true No. 1 cornerback. Chidobe Awuzie gives Baltimore another proven option with starting experience. Behind them, the roster math becomes difficult quickly.

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That is what makes cornerback one of the most important positions to watch when the Ravens report to camp. Anthony Weaver’s defense has enough talent up front and enough versatility at safety to be one of the NFL’s better units. Still, the cornerback group will help determine how flexible Baltimore can be in coverage.

Marlon Humphrey

Humphrey remains the tone-setter in the cornerback room. Listed at 6-foot and 210 pounds, the 30-year-old veteran is entering his 10th NFL season and still gives Baltimore one of its most trusted defensive backs.

His value goes beyond playing outside corner. Humphrey can slide inside, tackle, blitz, handle physical matchups and give the Ravens flexibility against different personnel groupings. With Wiggins ascending and Awuzie in the room, Baltimore may not need Humphrey to carry the same burden every week, but his versatility remains central to the defense.

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Nate Wiggins

Wiggins may be the most important cornerback on the roster because of his ceiling. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 182 pounds, the former Clemson standout is entering his third season with the traits to become a true lead corner.

The Ravens need Wiggins to turn talent into consistency. His length, speed and ball skills give him the tools to match top receivers, but the next step is becoming the type of defender who can be trusted in every coverage situation. If Wiggins makes that leap, Baltimore’s entire secondary changes. Humphrey can be moved around more freely, Awuzie can settle into a defined role, and the Ravens can be more aggressive with their coverage calls.

Chidobe Awuzie

Awuzie gives the Ravens a valuable veteran presence. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 202 pounds, the 31-year-old is entering his 10th NFL season and should open camp as one of Baltimore’s three established cornerbacks.

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His experience matters. Awuzie played 557 snaps last season, and his ability to handle outside work gives the Ravens insurance if injuries strike or if the younger corners need more time. He may not have the same upside as Wiggins, but his reliability could be important for a defense with championship expectations.

T.J. Tampa

Tampa is one of the key young corners to watch. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 199 pounds, the former Iowa State standout is entering his third season and has the size to compete on the outside.

The opportunity is clear. The Ravens have veteran options, but they also need young depth that can grow into larger roles. Tampa’s camp will be about showing improved consistency, better technique and enough special teams value to strengthen his roster case. If he stacks good practices and plays well in preseason games, he can make the depth chart much more difficult to sort out.

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Amani Oruwariye

Oruwariye gives Baltimore another experienced outside cornerback option. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, the 30-year-old veteran has the size and length to match bigger receivers.

His challenge is roster math. The Ravens already have Humphrey, Wiggins and Awuzie positioned for important roles, and several younger defensive backs are pushing for developmental spots. Oruwariye must prove he gives Baltimore enough immediate reliability to justify keeping another veteran corner.

Bilhal Kone

Kone is another young corner with size worth monitoring. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, the former Western Michigan defensive back is entering his second season and has a profile that fits what teams look for in developmental outside corners.

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For Kone, camp will come down to trust. He must show that he can handle coverage assignments, tackle consistently and contribute on special teams. If he does that, he can push for a depth role or position himself as a practice squad candidate with upside.

Robert Longerbeam

Longerbeam enters camp trying to separate from a crowded group of reserve corners. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 174 pounds, the former Rutgers defensive back is entering his second season and will need to make his mark through competitiveness, quickness and special teams effort.

In a room this deep, one or two splash plays will not be enough. Longerbeam must prove he can be assignment-sound, handle NFL tempo and avoid mistakes when preseason reps arrive.

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Keyon Martin

Martin brings a smaller, quicker profile to the competition. Listed at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, the former Louisiana-Lafayette cornerback is entering his second season and could factor into slot depth or special teams discussions.

His size means tackling, toughness and positioning will be especially important. Martin must show he can hold up physically while using his quickness to stay competitive in coverage. His clearest path is through special teams and preseason consistency.

Matthew McDoom

McDoom enters as a rookie out of Cincinnati, and his first task is proving he belongs in a crowded room. Listed at 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, he will need to stand out through speed, energy and special teams value.

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The Ravens do not need every rookie cornerback to make the 53-man roster, but players can earn longer looks by showing they can cover kicks, tackle and compete against NFL receivers. McDoom’s preseason reps could determine whether he stays in the developmental conversation.

Chandler Rivers

Rivers is one of the more intriguing rookies in the cornerback room. Listed at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, the former Duke defensive back will have to overcome a crowded depth chart, but his competitiveness and coverage instincts make him worth watching.

For Rivers, the path is similar to most young defensive backs. He must play fast without being reckless, tackle well, and demonstrate to the coaching staff that he can handle multiple assignments. If he makes plays on the ball in camp, he can push for a practice squad spot or more.

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Marquise Robinson

Robinson gives Baltimore another young cornerback competing for a depth role. Listed at 6-foot and 192 pounds, the former Arkansas defensive back has enough size to compete outside, but he must show he can handle the speed of the position consistently.

His roster case will depend heavily on preseason games. Practices can help, but live tackling, coverage discipline and special teams snaps often decide the back end of the cornerback room.

K’Von Wallace

Wallace is listed at cornerback here, but his value comes from defensive back versatility and experience. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, the former Clemson standout is entering his sixth NFL season and gives Baltimore a physical player who can help in multiple secondary roles.

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That versatility could help him. Wallace may not be viewed strictly as a traditional outside corner, but defensive backs who can tackle, play special teams and handle emergency snaps at multiple spots always have value. His camp will be about proving that flexibility is worth a roster spot.

Lardarius Webb Jr.

Webb enters camp with a familiar Ravens name and a difficult numbers game. Listed at 5-foot-9 and 177 pounds, the rookie out of Wake Forest will need to show quickness, competitiveness and special teams value to stick.

The Ravens may not have room for every young cornerback on the initial 53-man roster, but Webb can help himself by showing enough developmental promise to remain in the organization. His preseason snaps will be important.

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Biggest question

How many cornerbacks can the Ravens realistically keep?

That is the question that will define the group. Humphrey, Wiggins and Awuzie should be central pieces. Tampa has size and developmental value. Oruwariye brings veteran experience. Wallace provides secondary flexibility. After that, Baltimore must sort through Kone, Longerbeam, Martin, McDoom, Rivers, Robinson and Webb.

The final decisions could come down to special teams, positional versatility and whether the Ravens want veteran reliability or developmental upside at the back end of the depth chart.

Roster outlook

Humphrey, Wiggins and Awuzie headline the room. Tampa should enter camp with a strong chance to push for a depth role, while Oruwariye and Wallace provide veteran experience. Kone, Longerbeam, Martin, McDoom, Rivers, Robinson and Webb are fighting to separate in one of the most crowded competitions on the roster.

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The Ravens have enough top-end talent to feel good about cornerback, but depth matters in the AFC North. Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Cleveland all present different matchup challenges, and Baltimore will need more than three corners over a 17-game season.

If Wiggins leaps, Humphrey remains versatile, and Awuzie settles in as a trusted veteran, the Ravens could have one of the AFC’s better cornerback groups. Training camp will decide how strong the depth looks behind them.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Baltimore Ravens 2026 training camp preview: Cornerback

In Harrison Smith, the Vikings have had the luxury of leaning on a historically-great safety. He’s an unusually versatile, hard-working player who thinks the game at a high level. DC Brian Flores, himself a sophisticated football mind with a unique penchant for versatile football, appears to enjoy working alongside #22.

Seemingly everybody is asking whether the Smith/Vikings relationship continues. Few are asking if it should. Surely, part of the internal deliberations for Smith himself rests in being able to do his job at a high level.

The Vikings’ coaching staff has been united in their consistency in desiring a Smith return. If the player wants to come back, the team wants him to come back. So, too, have the players expressed a desire to see him play another season. Why wouldn’t they? He’s well-liked in the locker room and still capable of playing sturdy football even if he’s not the 2017 All Pro version of himself.

Is there nevertheless a point coming up where Minnesota decides to move on without Smith?

Safety Harrison Smith & The Possibilities in 2026

There are three deadlines to monitor for Harrison Smith’s return: the beginning of training camp, the beginning of the 2026 regular season, and the in-season trade deadline. Each of these could be understood as soft deadlines so long as Smith doesn’t retire first.

Many thought that Smith would have already decided by now, myself among them. Throughout his career, the safety has opted for his own unique path, so doing things in his own way isn’t much of a surprise.

A quick rationale for each of the proposed soft deadlines:

1. Training camp is the natural on-ramp for the season.
2. The start of the season is when real football gets going.
3. The trade deadline is often when contending teams add talent.

That third option is a sneaky one to note.

— READ MORE: Irksome Injury Hits Vikings Defender Ahead of Training Camp —
— READ MORE: Vikings Fans Got Bad News Today —
— READ MORE: 8 Other Questions to Ask Before Vikings Training Camp —

No, I don’t believe that Smith will sign elsewhere before being a trade target by Minnesota. Rather, the trade deadline is a normal time when teams assess their trajectory and outlook, leading to a desire to add or sell.

On Smith’s end of things, coming back around that time — or possibly during the Week 6 bye — would be enough time to see if the Vikings have a chance at doing something special.

In the uncertainty, do the Vikings simply need to move on from Harrison Smith? The question is worth asking.

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In most instances, teams are keen to not focus on players who aren’t on the team. Smith, however, is unique. The career-long Viking will end his NFL career as a Viking. Whether that’s after having played another full season or not, Smith is going to go out having worn purple from start to finish before he sees his jersey number retired at U.S. Bank Stadium.

In the meantime, the Vikings will be rallying around Josh Metellus, the obvious heir to Harrison Smith’s throne. Metellus is a hard-working, smart, and vocal leader who can do much of what Smith could do. Not elite, Metellus is nevertheless a very good football player.

Otherwise, the safety position boasts Theo Jackson, Jay Ward, Jakobe Thomas, Tavierre Thomas, and several other depth options. There’s enough talent there to play sturdy football, especially if Mr. Metellus bounces back after struggling with injury in 2025.

Last season, Smith had 54 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, 2 interceptions, and 10 passes defended. He turns 38 in February of 2027.

If the voters have any wisdom at all, then those in power at the Hall of Fame will someday ensure Harrison Smith gets a spot.

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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson says she is “gutted” to have to withdraw from the England team for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow due to an unspecified injury.

The 33-year-old double defending champion is one of nine members of the England athletics squad to pull out on Thursday, the same day as opening ceremony in the Scottish city.

Four more Olympic medallists – Dina Asher-Smith, Daryll Neita, Matthew Hudson-Smith and Amber Anning – are also out along with Zac Sneddon, Anna Purchase, Elliot Giles and Jona Efoloko.

Like Keely Hodgkinson, the Olympic 800 metres champion who did not pursue selection, Johnson-Thompson indicated she will switch her focus to the European Championships in Birmingham next month.

Johnson-Thompson said on social media: “I’m gutted to have to pull out of this year’s Commonwealth Games. I was so looking forward to competing on home soil and having the chance to defend my Commonwealth title!

“Although the injury I picked up earlier this season has improved, I haven’t been able to get back to the level I need to compete at my best.

“After discussing it with my team, we’ve made the difficult decision to focus on giving myself the best chance of being ready for the European Championships, so working very hard to be there later this season.

“Missing a championship is never easy, but I know it’s the right decision. I can’t wait to be back competing again soon.”

Johnson-Thompson had been expected to target a hat-trick of Commonwealth Games titles having previously won gold in both Gold Coast and Birmingham.

International stars who have previously pulled out of the Games include St Lucia’s reigning Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred, multiple Olympic swimming medallists Kaylee McKeown and Summer McIntosh of Australia and Canada respectively, and Hodgkinson’s 800m rival, Mary Moraa of Kenya.

Away from the athletics track, triple Olympic gymnastics champion Max Whitlock was forced to call time on his comeback bid earlier this month due to injury.