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The Champions League is a tournament that pits the champions (and, for some countries, one or more runners-up) of Europe’s top national leagues against each other. It is regarded as the most prestigious club competition in the world. The trophy is kept permanently by the club that wins it, and it is almost as coveted as the FIFA World Cup trophy.

In 2020 UEFA reworked the format of its flagship event, moving to an expanded 36-team “league phase” in place of the traditional group stage. In this new structure each team plays eight different teams — four at home and four away — during the league phase, and sides that finish in the top eight automatically qualify for the knockout play-off round, while those who finish ninth through 24th will compete in two-legged play-offs for the remaining eight spots.

UEFA has also revamped the way that home advantage is decided in the knockout phases of the competition, and a bracket based upon league rankings will be used to create all of the fixtures up through the semifinals. This will eliminate the need for an open draw in the quarterfinals and semifinals, and UEFA says it will result in a spread of marquee matches throughout the bracket.

The teams in Pot 1 are ordered by their UEFA club coefficient, while the teams in Pots 2 through 4 are ranked according to their results from last season’s qualifying phase. The final draw, held on Feb. 27, will create the full bracket for the remainder of the competition.

As the world’s top teams vie for a spot at the next FIFA World Cup, international qualifiers are an unforgettable spectacle of tension and drama. Spectacular performances, shocking upsets, and nail-biting finishes are just part of the draw for fans, players, and coaches alike. It’s a test of endurance, strategy, and world-class ability.

Throughout the qualifying process, you’ll see emerging stars who rise to the occasion and make an impact in their nation’s quest for glory. Their performances can inspire their teammates and catch the eye of scouts. And, for smaller nations, making it to the final stages can bring a sense of pride and prestige.

Each confederation has a unique structure to its World Cup qualifying, but the stakes are always high. Qualifying for the World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent your country, and it can boost morale and even bring economic benefits. For players, it’s the pinnacle of their careers and a chance to showcase their talent on the biggest stage in global football.

The qualification process can take years and involves a series of round-robin groups, home and away matches, and sometimes a playoff. The format differs from region to region, but the one thing that remains the same is the passion of the fans and the intensity of the competition. From UEFA’s high-stakes playoffs to CONCACAF’s marathon league system, it takes time and effort to qualify for the World Cup. But the experience is worth it.

From athletes starring in movies to celebrities repping their favorite teams, sports and showbiz have never been more connected. Stay on top of the crossovers, celebrity involvement and viral pop culture moments that keep the sports world in the spotlight with our sports celebrity gossip blogs. This week, we’ve got the latest on Coldplay cheating drama, WNBA star Suni Lee and NBA boyfriend OG Anunoby make it official, and a teen powerlifter obliterates a world record that has everyone talking.

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The World Test Championship is the premier competition for tests organised by the ICC. It uses a league and final format, and features nine teams. The current champions are South Africa, who won the 2023-25 cycle by beating Australia in a thrilling final at Lord’s.

The tournament replaced the ICC Champions Trophy, and was designed to rejuvenate interest in test cricket in the era of T20. However, the concept drew criticism from commentators like Greg Chappell and Graeme Smith for its postponement until 2017. The final also included two home series against Pakistan and England, which were not included in the old ICC Champions Trophy cycle, and was the first time that no one-off test matches featured in the competition.

Despite a rocky start in the cycle with a home loss to Bangladesh and defeat by India (followed by a fractious 2-1 win in Australia), the Proteas regained their form to reach the final. They beat New Zealand, Sri Lanka and a woeful West Indies (with Brian Lara amassing a ludicrous 624 at the Wanderers) to finish top of the table, before overcoming a weakened Australia in their last game to clinch their first WTC title.

The final was a lopsided affair, with Steyn, Philander and Morkel reducing the Aussies to 188 on the first day before a 91 from Kallis and eighties from Amla and de Villiers put the Proteas in control. Clarke tried to rally, but a nerveless 4th innings from Bavuma saw the Proteas seal the win and the ultimate prize of the Test mace.

Esports tournaments take video games to the next level – they’re like gamer versions of athletic championships that attract millions of viewers and global brands. Whether they’re played in packed arenas or streamed online, they’re full of high-stakes competition and the best players battling for glory and cash prizes.

While esports have been around since the early days of gaming, they have grown into an industry in their own right. The biggest esports tournaments draw millions of spectators, with the top teams competing for prize pools in the tens of millions of dollars.

For many, the most prestigious event is the League of Legends World Championship. This event is known for its nailbiting matches, which have produced some of the most emotional moments in esports history. Other major esports tournaments include Dota 2’s The International and the FPS-specific Intel Extreme Masters.

In addition to the big esports tournaments, there are a number of smaller events that don’t receive as much attention but are just as important for the development of esports and the growth of professional gamers. These smaller tournaments are often run by third-party organizations, including ESL, BLAST Premier and PGL.

Established in 2004, esports organization Fnatic has made its name with dominance across a variety of titles. Their wins at the first League of Legends World Championship and three major Counter-Strike titles have cemented their place as one of the most successful esports teams in the world.

The world of international sports is one of the most recognizable aspects of any culture, and watching local teams play is a great way to become part of a city while studying or interning abroad. In fact, attending a sporting event can help you feel at home in your new host country, especially when that goal is scored and the crowd goes wild!

The concept of international sport dates back to ancient Greece, where city states would travel to Olympia to compete in competitions. The games were a way to temporarily put aside internal struggles and focus on the competition at hand, which is an early form of diplomacy and peacemaking. As the world became more interconnected, sport went global. In 1882, the first international cricket match was held and the following year saw the formation of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). As transportation and communication improved, more and more events took place between teams from different countries and in a variety of locations.

Aside from a boost in tourism, hosting a major international sporting event can also raise a city’s or nation’s profile on the world stage. The Olympic bid process, for example, asks hosts to show how they can improve the city’s infrastructure and promote its cultural heritage. Those who lobby for such events can have a significant impact and, in some cases, even influence the results.

While international sports can have many positive effects, they are not without problems. For instance, corruption within sport is widespread and can result in athletes being exploited by their governments. In addition, the power and financial clout of the industry can make it difficult to challenge unethical practices. For these reasons, AIFS Abroad encourages you to be aware of issues surrounding international sports and to consider ethical considerations before supporting or participating in a sporting event.

Gender inequality has been a problem since the dawn of society, with numerous historical records showing that women have encountered inequities in their careers, educational institutions and households. Sports are no exception. The perceptions of physical strength and dominance typically associated with men manifest themselves in violence against women, exploitation, non-inclusion and discrimination in the sport world.

While there has been some progress towards gender equality in the sporting world, it is important to understand that these gains must be sustained to achieve true parity. This can only be done by addressing structural and socio-cultural factors, including internalised sexism, a lack of awareness on the issue and poor gender equality policies.

One of the main challenges faced by female athletes is that they are still underpaid compared to their male counterparts. In fact, a recent study found that on average, male football players make forty times more money than their female counterparts. This has led to some vocal female athletes, such as Megan Rapinoe, captain of the US women’s national football team, to fight for equal pay.

The goal of gender parity in sports must be pursued in a strategic manner by sporting organisations, governing bodies like the International Olympic Committee and collaborative organisations, as well as media channels that support these initiatives. This is a crucial step toward eliminating the myths and stereotypes surrounding sports, and it will help to create an environment where women can thrive in their chosen sport.

The NFL draft is an annual event that pairs college players with new teams. It blends strategy, a spectacle and intense fan engagement but behind the high stakes lies a well-defined process guided by specific rules.

The 2025 draft begins Thursday evening and will see 257 players hear their names called over the next three days. The BBC will provide live text coverage of the first round of picks, followed by rounds two through four on Friday and then rounds five through seven on Saturday.

There are plenty of storylines to follow, not least the race for the No 1 pick, where the Tennessee Titans are expected to select Miami quarterback Cam Ward. The 22-year-old threw for the most touchdown passes and the second most passing yards in college football this season. He could be a big-name addition for the Titans, who lost back-up Mason Rudolph in free agency.

During the selection process, each team has 10 minutes to make its pick. If a team doesn’t announce its choice within that timeframe, the next team can take the pick. Alternatively, the original team can trade its pick to another club.

Teams can also forfeit their draft choices for a number of reasons, including salary cap accounting errors or breaking the league’s anti-tampering policy. For example, the San Francisco 49ers have a fifth-round pick they’ve voluntarily forfeited due to a payroll accounting error in 2022. In addition, the league awards compensatory picks to teams that lose key free agents.

About Combat Sports

The world of combat sports—from boxing and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) to judo, karate, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—offers a unique combination of physical challenge, mental discipline, and strategic depth. Each discipline has its own distinct techniques, strategies, and cultural significance. Yet all share a common core of athleticism, tradition, and human endeavor.

Why do People take up Combat Sports?

The reasons for getting into combat sports are as diverse as the participants themselves. Some individuals are drawn to the thrill of competition and the sense of achievement that comes with winning, while others see fighting as a form of self-defense. Many athletes find that training in combat sports teaches them to be physically and mentally strong, helping them to overcome fear and achieve their goals. Others are drawn to the cultural heritage and philosophies that underlie combat sports like karate, taekwondo, and judo, and view participation as an opportunity to connect with their roots.

While some combat athletes experience injuries, most are able to avoid serious injury by following rigorous training regimens and participating in safe competitions. Injuries occur when competitors are exposed to high levels of stress, and the most frequent injuries include fractures, abrasions, dislocations, sprains, and concussions. Data on competition health problems (HPs) come from questionnaires completed seven days post-competition, and use the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems 2 as a basis for calculation of incidence rates per 100 minutes of exposure (HPIRME). Anxiety is also a common HP reported by combat sport athletes.

The next time the world’s best NHL players lace up their skates to compete in Olympic ice hockey, they may find the stakes higher than ever. The rink might be the same size as usual but the pace will feel a little more frenetic. That’s because, like the rest of the Olympic experience, ice hockey at the Olympics is always evolving.

Until recently, the Games have used a smaller international-sized ice surface but for 2010 and 2022, organizers will use a standard NHL-sized rink, which provides better sightlines for fans and TV viewers around the world. The change will also ensure that the teams are on equal footing when it comes to physical play.

Fighting is not allowed in Olympic ice hockey and players who willingly participate in a fight are penalized for the offense and could be ejected from the game. A team may not have more than 11 players dressed for a game, and the roster must be submitted at least 24 hours before the start of the contest. Each player must wear a helmet and face mask. Only one manager/coach is permitted on the bench at any time.

The Olympic ice hockey tournament has produced some of the sport’s most famous moments and continues to be a staple in the calendars of devoted hockey fans. From the Miracle on Ice to Finland’s gold medal in 1998, and from Dominik Hasek’s imperious goaltending to Canada’s re-ignition of their golden run in 2002 and beyond, the sport’s unique rhythms have made the Olympic stage an ideal setting for some of the greatest hockey stories of all time.