Some Scots to get bank holiday to celebrate Fifa World Cup January 5, 2026 Some Scots will enjoy a bank holiday this year to celebrate the national team’s return to the Fifa World Cup. Scotland qualified for the event – co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico – to reach their first World Cup since 1998. And Scottish First Minister John Swinney has said that 15 June will [...]
Why 2026 will be the year of technology and AI in sport January 4, 2026 Arthur Hu, the chief information officer at Lenovo, discusses why 2026 is the year for AI and technology in sport It feels as if the sporting calendar never stops, it just keeps spinning with yet another tournament, match or race around the corner. And 2026 will be no different, headlined by the Winter Olympic and [...]
Three sport law disputes to watch for in 2026 January 3, 2026 Joel Leigh and Rufus Scholefield take a look at the sectors that could define sport law in 2026 The left over mince pies are running out and the sporting world is looking ahead and bracing for a year that promises thrilling competition but also, significant legal and regulatory challenges. 2026 looks certain to be remembered [...]
Fifa boss Infantino defends 2026 World Cup ticket prices, citing demand December 29, 2025 Fifa boss Gianni Infantino has defended the price of tickets for next year’s World Cup. Football’s governing body has come under intense pressure surrounding the cost of tickets, with the cheapest seat at next summer’s final costing over £3,000. Infantino’s Fifa was forced to introduce capped tickets for some fans of the teams competing at [...]
World Cup: The rise of the armchair fan and why it matters December 16, 2025 The row over the 2026 World Cup ticket prices is as predictable as a plucky, late-stage English exit. But the eyewatering price tags are only part of the story. Without going into the economic principle of supply versus demand (the tickets will still sell out, in my opinion), I thought it was more interesting to [...]
Pubs to stay open until 1am if Home Nations reach Fifa World Cup knockouts December 4, 2025 Pubs will stay open until 1am if England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland reach the final stages of the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed that “the party won’t end before the final whistle is blown”, adding that “if any [home] nation reaches the final stages, we will extend licensing hours”. The [...]
Why sports media is entering its most disruptive decade yet November 22, 2025 There was a time when watching live sport meant one remote, one broadcaster, and one living room. That era is quickly passing. Sports media is undergoing its most significant transition since the shift from analogue to digital, only this time the change is being driven by fans rather than technology. Across Europe viewing habits are [...]
Spruce Meadows and Cavalry FC: Inside the Southern-Heathcott empire November 11, 2025 Linda Southern-Heathcott is well-known within the Canadian sporting scene. She discusses her empire, the iconic Spruce Meadows and its Masters show jumping event, and one pretty noisy neighbour from the USA. “The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State.” Those were the words of one President Donald [...]
IPO planned for builders of 115,000-capacity World Cup stadium November 7, 2025 The firm building the 115,000-capacity stadium being used in the 2030 Fifa World Cup is planning an IPO to fund a record level of orders. SGTM – whose portfolio is mostly in civil infrastructure – is behind the construction of the Hassan II Stadium near Casablanca, which could host the World Cup final when Morocco [...]
Criminal complaint filed against Fifa over NFTs ahead of World Cup October 23, 2025 Fifa has been referred to prosecutors after Switzerland’s gambling regulator filed a criminal complaint against football’s world governing body over NFTs. The complaint was launched by Gespa, the Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority, and relates to the “Fifa Collect” platform and the NFTs hosted on the site. It marks an escalation against the body over its [...]