Sports Groove

  The Executive Vice Chairman of one of the fastest growing football institutions in the bustling city of Lagos, Mr. Funsho Peters, stated that they are commited to helping aspiring footballers and young talents to reach their fullest potential, as he outlined the academy's objectives and ambitions.   Mr. Funsho Peters who spoke at the official inauguration ceremony of the GreenLock Football Academy, over the weekend at the Navy Sports Complex in Satellite Town, Lagos, South-West, Nigeria was confident that they will reach greater heights as they enter another year of footballing activities.   “It’s been about a year and a half now, although it feels like it has been 10 years or more. I’m excited to see what we can achieve moving forward." The Executive Vice Chairman of the academy that accepts both residential and non-residential players, went on to share some of the advantages and unique opportunities, which players will find helpful and also greatly benefit...

By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports by Kola Daniel    The 9th edition of the National Youth Games came to a spectacular close on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State, South-South, Nigeria, with a vibrant display of culture, music, and athletic pride.   In a dramatic shift of dominance, Team Lagos dethroned perennial champions Delta State to claim the overall title, marking a new chapter in youth sports excellence. In a thrilling showcase of talent and competitive spirit, Lagos topped the medal table with 52 gold, 32 silver, and 26 bronze medals.    Delta followed closely with 37 gold, 38 silver, and 39 bronze, while Edo State secured third place with 33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze.    Bayelsa State finished fourth with 18 gold, 12 silver, and 25 bronze, and Kwara State rounded out the top five with 15 gold, 10 silver, and 19 bronze.   HEAR FROM THE ACTORS ★ MALLAM SHEHU DIKKO, Chairma...

By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports by Pereolotu Amgbare   Bayelsa State' delegation to the recently concluded 2025 National Youth Games raised the bar at the multi-sport event and reaffirmed the state’s growing dominance in grassroots sports development, as they delivered a landmark performance that eclipsed their previous outings. With well over 50 medals in hand, consisting of a health tally of 18 gold, 12 silver, and 25 bronze medals, Team Bayelsa showcased depth, discipline, and determination across a wide spectrum of events —from combat sports to intellectual games, track events to adaptive competitions.    ★ MEDAL HIGHLIGHTS:   Combat & Strength ✓ WRESTLING – 5 gold, 1 bronze   ✓ JUDO – 1 gold, 1 bronze   ✓ BOXING – 1 bronze   ✓ TAEKWONDO – 1 bronze   ✓ PARA WEIGHTLIFTING – 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze   ✓ KUNG-FU – 1 silver   Track & Field ✓ ATHLETICS – 2 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze   ✓ SWIMMING – 3 si...

  Nigerian table tennis icon, Aruna Quadri, has shared an emotional reflection on his 15-year journey in the sport, acknowledging the vital role of private sponsors and individuals in his rise, while lamenting the lack of government support. In a post on his official Facebook handle, Aruna recalled how his career took off in 2010 when he moved to Portugal to play in the Portuguese Super League.  “Fifteen years ago, I arrived in Portugal to play as a professional table tennis player in the Portuguese Super League, competing almost every weekend for my club,” he wrote. Aruna revealed that most of his international outings were made possible through the support of individuals, particularly Barrister Wahid Enitan Oshodi, now the president of the Africa Table Tennis Federation.  “Internationally, I played at least one tournament every month with the backing of Barrister Oshodi. His financial support helped me to improve rapidly,” he noted. The African number one, h...

Team Nasarawa to the 9th edition of the National Youth Games have returned home after the curtains for the multi-sports event were drawn closed in a colorful ceremony held at the prestigious Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Asaba, Delta State, South-South, Nigeria. The contingent returned on Sunday, 7th September, 2025, finishing 24th position out of thirty-six States of the Federation and FCT Abuja after winning nine medals, comprising two gold and seven bronze in the two-week-long event.  Sidi Ibrahim and Godwin Friday won gold in the Boys' Junior Stable Ford Golf event and Boys' Match Play event, respectively. Sidi Ibrahim also won Team Nasarawa a bronze medal in the Eclectic Golf event.  In Shooting Sport, Team Nasarawa settled for the bronze medal in the Mixed Air Rifle event, ahead of seventeen other States. The combination of Sodunke Samuel Opeyemi and Oluwatomiwa Quwiyat trailed their counterparts from Imo and Rivers States who came first and second pos...

In a vital development, Nasarawa State has thrown its weight behind the presidential aspirations of one of the Board Members of the Nigeria Handball Federation, Mr. Jibril Saidu. The endorsement was made when the presidential candidate paid a courtesy visit to the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, in his office in Lafia, on Friday. Kwanta who expressed delight in receiving the presidential candidate disclosed that Nasarawa State is impressed with the numerous achievements and contributions of Mr. Jibril Saidu to the growth and development of Handball in the State. "I started hearing about your great contributions to our State and its athletes many months ago. "It's people like you we want at the helm of affairs of our sports because we are confident that you will add great value in all spheres of our sports. "Nasarawa State is your home, and we haven't received any negative reports about you. "Niger...

The Leadership of the National Sports Commission has inaugurated the Electoral committee for the upcoming National sports federations elections. The Newly inaugurated committee has been saddled with the responsibility of conducting a hitch free and transparent Elections into 20 National Sports Federations including Aquatics, Chess, Handball, Golf, karate, Darts, Fives and Tennis.  Others are wrestling, Wushu Kung Fu, Scrabble, Hockey, Badminton, Boxing , Taekwondo, Squash Rackets, Traditional Sports Rugby, Kickboxing and Deaf Sports. Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, after officially inaugurating the Committee, expressed confidence that he has no doubt that they will do a good job to oversee a successful process. " We have succeeded in choosing a very balanced and compact team for this assignment because we want to set a new standard of how Federation Elections are conducted with topmost integrity and transparency". " Myse...

  Captain William Ekong has assured that there will be no diffidence in the Super Eagles’ play when they take on South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a potentially-explosive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Bloemfontein on Tuesday night.   The defender, who was voted Man of the Competition at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire, said the Eagles will also not be thinking of their penalty shootout defeat of the Bafana at that competition’s semi-final stage.   “We defeated them at the Africa Cup but that is in the past and some changes have been made to both teams since then. Our approach will be devoid of arrogance; we will play with level heads and go all out for victory. There will be no arrogance but we will not be diffident either.   “South Africa is a good team that we respect but we just have to go on the pitch and play our game. Our objective has not changed; we want to go to the FIFA World Cup finals next year.”   Coach ...

By Maxwell Kumoye    The first batch of Team Kenya to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan has departed the Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. Radiating joy and confidence, the team is carrying with them great hopes and ambitions. The team is led by senior Athletics Kenya officials, among them the National Olympic Committee of Kenya 1st Deputy President and Athletics Kenya Youth Development Director Barnaba Korir. The team embarked on their journey to Tokyo, ready to proudly fly the Kenyan flag and challenge the world. 58 athletes will be representing Kenya in Tokyo, Japan.

...We're proud of every athlete, who represented Lagos with courage and might - Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sanwo-Olu By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports by Akeem Busari    Lagos State' contingent to the 9th edition of the National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, South-South, Nigeria, did more than make history at the multi-sport showpiece, they proved their worth as they dethroned Perennial-rivals, Hosts and Defending Champions —Team Delta. The euphoria is not dying, as the sports fraternity in the Center of Excellence, is abuzz with excitement and felicitations.   An experienced sports administrator, who played a pivotal role in ensuring Team Lagos dominated the annual event, by topping the medals table is none other than Honourable Damilare Orimoloye who also doubles as the Senior Special Assistant on Sports, to the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and he was quick to remind everyone that the historic feat was ...

  Two of Africa’s greatest footballing sons, George Weah and Didier Drogba, have stepped into a battle that has been raging since they dominated the beautiful game, namely racism. The pair headline a freshly formed FIFA 16-strong panel of ex-players tasked with dragging football’s response to discrimination into the modern age. First floated at FIFA’s congress in Thailand earlier this year, the initiative aims to put player power at the heart of anti-racism strategy, from education and reform to real-world sanctions. The panel will monitor and advise on anti-racism initiatives based on the Global Stand Against Racism, drive education at all levels of the game and serve as a think tank for new ideas Weah, the former Ballon d’Or winner and Liberian president, has been handed the symbolic role of honorary captain. His message was simple yet powerful saying, “Football brings unity and development. It also enhances humanity… I am honoured to serve in this role.” Drogba, mean...

  FIFA have announced the host cities and unveiled the official branding for the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, starting the countdown to kick-off in 12 months’ time. The cities of Bielsko-Biała, Katowice, Łódź and Sosnowiec were announced during a special ceremony in Chorzów on Saturday, at which the Official Brand was also revealed – said to celebrate the growth of women’s football and emergence of future stars of the female game. The event was attended by representatives from local authorities and FIFA, who reaffirmed their commitment to continue close liaison to ensure that the event meets the “highest standards of quality that the players and fans deserve”. Fans can also now register their interest in securing tickets on FIFA’s website, though they are currently not available to actually purchase. “Women’s football is on an extraordinary growth curve, and competitions like the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup are vital accelerators for our sport,” said FIFA’s chief f...

  After months of wrangling, threats of legal action, and plenty of boardroom posturing, Azteca Stadium’s luxury suite owners have finally had their rights restored for the 2026 World Cup. Felix Aguirre, managing director of Estadio Banorte (indelibly known to the football world as the Azteca), confirmed that negotiations with FIFA are complete and box holders will have access to their seats without paying a cent more. “It has been a long process; we appreciate the patience of those involved. We thank FIFA and the ticket holders,” Aguirre told local media, sounding more relieved than triumphant. The dispute boiled over when suite holders feared they would be priced out of their own boxes during the World Cup. Some filed complaints with consumer authorities, while others lined up lawyers. FIFA, for its part, valued each seat at the stadium’s top ticket price, effectively telling owners: pay up or miss out. In the end, the stadium caved, footing the bill to keep its corpo...

   Chelsea FC Women have announced a new partnership with female-owned period care brand Here We Flo as the club’s Official Back of Short partner. The deal will apply to the WSL holders’ domestic and European campaigns. Both brands have combined for a common goal: to destigmatise periods, normalise playing sports while women and girls are on their periods, and challenge how they are presented in the media. Aki Mandhar, CEO of Chelsea FC Women said: “At Chelsea we want to break down barriers and inspire change. We want to reset the narrative about periods, normalise them and in doing so empower and inspire the next generation of young girls, whether they play sport or not. Periods should be a source of strength and confidence for girls, not a hinderance. “We are thrilled to be joining forces with Here We Flo on this campaign. They are challenging the status quo when it comes to period products and together we can change perceptions for the better.” In research carri...

  Germany got their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a 3-1 win against Northern Ireland in Cologne on Sunday.  Days after a shock 2-0 defeat away to Slovakia, Julian Nagelsmann’s team bounced back as goals from Serge Gnabry, Nadiem Amiri and Florian Wirtz were enough to dispatch Northern Ireland. In the 34th minute, Isaac Price had equalised for the visitors before Germany ran out winners in the second half. Germany’s underwhelming first-half performance prompted boos from the home crowd. Nagelsmann changed the match with his substitutions – Nadiem Amiri, Maximilian Beier, Leon Goretzka, and Jonathan Tah were all introduced in the second half. Nagelsmann said: “The subs changed the game. Nadiem did really well. Maxi [Beier] brought pace and runs in behind the centre-backs. Leon also did much better than on Thursday. The body language was much better. Jona [Tah] also had a good 10-minute cameo, which is not easy for a defender against an opponent tha...

  ‎The immediate past Director of Sports, Bayelsa State Sports Council and Public Relations Officer of the Union, ‎Sir Braveman Wodi has been honored by the Directors of Sports Forum with an award and gift after serving meritoriously as Director of Sports in Bayelsa.  ‎ ‎The presentation was done at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba by the Chairman of the Forum, Mr. Utobo Emmanuel, alongside the Director of Sports in Ebonyi State and a host of other Sports Directors from across the country.  ‎ ‎The laudable gesture by the Directors of Sports Forum is coming a week after his nomination as "Visionary Administrator of the Year" award by the Bayelsa Media Network Award (BMNA) scheduled for later this year. ‎ ‎The Chairman of the Directors of Sports Forum, Mr Otubo Emmanuel was confident that Sir Wodi deserved the hon‎our, stating that the former Director of Sports was instrumental to the forum's progress, as he described him as the body's archive.  ‎ ‎He also ...

BeIN Sports has taken the gloves off with LFP Media, filing a €29 million legal claim that once again throws French football’s TV rights into the spotlight. At the heart of the row are restrictions on which Ligue 1 games BeIN can show. The Qatari broadcaster insists these rules were dropped in after it had already submitted its bid, dramatically reducing the value of the deal. As a result, BeIN held back part of its payment. LFP Media isn’t budging. It says BeIN is in breach of its contract and must stump up the full fee. The league argues the restrictions are essential to how rights packages are designed and sold. BeIN, however, has come armed with numbers. It points to the fact that LFP Media itself once valued some of these restrictions at €20 million – a figure the broadcaster now uses as the foundation of its claim. It’s a messy dispute and one that cuts right to the core of football’s media landscape. Broadcasters want flexibility and value for money. Leagues want to ...

  FIFA has renewed its global partnership with Hisense, with the home appliances and television giant signed on as an Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 26 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The partnership began back in 2017, spanning the FIFA World Cups in Russia (2018) and Qatar (2022), and the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup, where Hisense were among the first official partners. FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström said the partnership continues to “redefine how football and television display technology come together,” pointing to innovations in VAR screen integration, immersive activations, and enhanced fan experiences. For Hisense, the agreement secures global marketing rights, digital and physical branding, and the opportunity to run fan engagement campaigns around the first FIFA World Cup to be staged across three nations. Catherine Fang, Hisense Group Vice President, said: “Our goal is to transform billions of living rooms into front-row seats,...

  Anderlecht have confirmed the resignation of Wouter Vandenhaute (pictured), the Belgian club’s chairman since 2020. Last week, Vandenhaute offered his resignation, citing a muddled relationship with club owner Marc Coucke. The club’s board has accepted the resignation. Vandenhaute will remain a minority shareholder. Together with Greet Duyck from CVC, he controls 26% of the club’s shares. Five years ago, Vandehaute became an advisor at the club before moving into the chairman’s role. As both minority shareholder and president, Vandenhaute made the controversial decision to dismiss Vincent Kompany as manager in 2022, a move that deepened the club’s instability. The following year, he announced he would step back into the position of non-executive chairman. In a statement, the club said: “The board of directors and management have discussed the strategic, structural and sporting situation critically and transparently, and are determined to continue building the future o...

  Electronic Arts, producer of the hit FC football simulator game series, has extended its partnership with MLS Club New York City FC in a deal that will see the company’s EA Sports branch continue as an official club partner. Through this partnership, New York City FC and EA SPORTS FC have pledged to bring fans ‘closer than ever’ to their club through exclusive content, fan experiences, match day activations and content collaboration. The deal coincides with EA Sports’ marketing push ahead of the released of FC26 later this month, where excitement for the new game is at peak ripeness. Despite the club’s close relationship with EA Sports, neither of New York City FC’s home grounds (Yankee Stadium or Etihad Park) will be in FC26 – which is a bit awkward as Big Apple rivals NY Red Bulls’ Sports Illustrated Stadium will be playable. “EA SPORTS is more than a game — it’s a global football platform that’s deeply embedded in the culture of our sport,” said Brent Simmons, Head...

  Bulgaria`s Lokomotiv Plovdiv has renewed two of its main sponsorship contracts with new deals with the non-alcoholic beverage company Party Drinks, as well as the insurance company General Broker. Both companies are long-term partners with Lokomotiv Plovdiv. Both partnerships have been extended for another year. Party Drinks will continue to be the main supplier of water to Lokomotiv Plovdiv with its Iceberg brand. They will also be responsible for the hydration of the players both in the first team and in the Academy of the club. “Today, a new partnership agreement was signed between PFK Lokomotiv Plovdiv and Party Drinks for the delivery of Iceberg water. With this, both sides confirm their long-standing cooperation, built on trust, common values and striving for high results,” said a club release. “Party Drinks remains a loyal partner of the club and will continue to support the “black and white” on their way to new sports peaks. Iceberg table water will be part of...

  UEFA’s Executive Committee is meeting in Tirana, Albania, this Thursday with two major items on the agenda, the bonus payments for the 2025 Women’s Nations League finals, and confirmation of the hosts for the 2027 Champions League Final. The 2027 Champions League had originally been awarded to Milan and the San Siro Stadium, however UEFA removed the final over uncertainty surrounding ‘refurbishment works’ planned for the stadium. Azerbaijan submitted a bid to host at the Baku Olympic Stadium in Baku, while Spain also submitted a bid for the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid. Despite no official announcement having been made, Rafael Louzán, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), told press in May that the Metropolitano had been selected as the venue for the 2027 final. In May the Europa League final was also hosted in Spain at the Nuevo San Mamés, in Bilbao. The Metropolitano has hosted the Champions League final before, in 2019, when Liverpool beat T...

  Italian giants, Inter Milan have extended their partnership with Ria Money Transfer, until the end of the 2026/27 season. Ria will continue as Inter’s Official Money Transfer Partner, building on a collaboration that first began in 2023. The deal also secures Ria’s continued support for Inter Academy Chile, further strengthening its presence in the local football community. The renewal was formalized in Los Angeles during Inter’s participation in the Club World Cup, with Inter Chief Revenue Officer Giorgio Ricci meeting Juan Bianchi, EVP and CEO of Euronet’s Money Transfer Segment, at the company’s headquarters in Buena Park, California. Giorgio Ricci, Chief Revenue Officer at Inter Milan said, “We are thrilled to announce the extension of our partnership with Ria Money Transfer, which testifies to our mutual satisfaction with what we have built together so far. Being in Los Angeles for the Club World Cup gave us the perfect opportunity to visit our partner’s Buena Pa...

  The Kings of Europe, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have unveiled a three-season global partnership with Haier, the multinational home appliance leader headquartered in Qingdao, China, that last week signed a sponsorship with one of their biggest rivals for this season’s title, Liverpool. This deal is inked to run through 2028, and makes Haier an Official Partner of PSG. The company has had a long-standing presence in tennis but its move into elite football matches that of its biggest global competitor, Midea, also from China. Under the deal, Haier will benefit from, LED visibility at Parc des Princes on matchdays, Haier-branded fan corners and immersive experiences inside the stadium and global marketing activations across PSG’s international digital and media platforms Haishan Liang, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of Haier Group said: “Paris Saint-Germain embodies a spirit of innovation and an unrelenting passion for excellence. Our partnership wit...

  Bet365, who last week announced a 3-year partnership with Hamburger SV (HSV), have added a second Bundesliga club, VfB Stuttgart, in a one-year deal for the 2025/26 season. Designated as an official team partner, the deal will include brand visibility at the MHP Arena during home games on in-game perimeter LED boards, stadium branding as well as on social media content. Rouven Kasper, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at VfB Stuttgart, emphasised the importance of responsible gambling in the partnership, stating: “Bet365 has also been prominently featured in top-level European football for a long time. “With bet365, VfB Stuttgart gains a partner that is actively committed to player protection and fully committed to promoting responsible gambling. This was a prerequisite for us entering into this partnership.” Bet365 have had significant recent success in Germany, having sponsored Euro 2024. No value was given for either the Hamburg or Stuttgart sponsorships. Alex Seft...

  The President of the West African Football Union (WAFU), B, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), has congratulations to ASEC Mimosas for winning the WAFU B Championship title and securing the zones lone ticket to the 2025 CAF Women's Champions League.   Alhaji Gusau who also doubles as the President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), put up some kind words for the Regional Champions as they picked the Women's Champions League berth after an exhilarating 8-7 shootout win against Bayelsa Queens of Nigeria, in the final.   “On behalf of the Elective Council WAFU B, I warmly congratulate the club ASEC Mimosas for winning the championship title at the conclusion of the qualifying phase of the WAFU B Zone Women's Champions League.”   “Congratulations also to all the clubs from the zone who participated in the qualifying phase. Their dedication and perseverance have greatly contributed to the sporting success and the visibility of our regional competition.” ...

    Nigeria’s girls' team clinched the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa U18 Beach Volleyball Youth Development Cup held in Banjul on Saturday. The Nigerian team defeated Morocco 2-0 (21-7, 21-12) in the third-place match after a narrow 2-1 (16-21, 21-16, 15-12) loss to DR Congo in the semifinals. Head coach of Nigeria’s beach volleyball team, John Iwerima, praised his players for their determination and fighting spirit throughout the tournament. He said, "I’m proud of the girls. They gave their best on the court and showed great character. “We’ll take time to reflect on this tournament, learn from our mistakes, and ensure we don’t underestimate any team in future competitions.” President of the CAVB Beach Volleyball Commission, Musa Nimrod applauded the performance of all the participating teams, stressing the potential of African nations in the sport. He said, "The level of competition has improved, and I must commend all the teams for their effort. “The futur...

   La Liga and the US Soccer Foundation (USSF) have announced a new partnership, magnifying their collaboration as next year’s World Cup looms.  The Spanish top flight will support US fundraising efforts at El Partidazo fan-focused events across the country throughout the 2025/26 La Liga season as well as supporting the Foundation’s community efforts. The El Partidazo watch parties are designed to give American audiences a flavour of Spanish football and make it easier to connect over their favourite La Liga teams. Various La Liga legends, including former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas and Barca’s Ballon d’Or winner Rivaldo, have attended El Partidazo events since its conception in 2023, adding another incentive to a project already bustling with enthusiasm. The deal also detailed that La Liga will serve as a sponsor of the Unity Cup in spring 2026, and will bolster the USSF’s sweeping charitable efforts to grow the game in Europe. “We are on a mission ...

   The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have signed a new strategic sponsorship agreement with MAPFRE, which becomes the Official Insurance Company of the country’s male, female and under-21 teams.  The freshly signed paperwork complements an existing partnership between the two entities, which already covered the Copa del Rey.  From September, the MAPFRE brand will adorn the kits, training grounds, and official facilities of the Spanish team It’s not often that a company gets the opportunity to showcase its logo on the jerseys of both the Men’s European Champions and the Women’s World Champions – so this sponsorship is in a league of its own as far as international pedigree is concerned. The company has also negotiated insurance and finance sector exclusivity, as well as image and advertising rights, marketing, and public relations. RFEF president Carlos Velasco Carballo highlighted the importance and dimension of this global agreement, which reflects ...

   WSL Football has entered into a new multi-year partnership with Nike, expanding its support for women’s football in England.  Through the agreement, Nike has become an official partner of the Barclays Women’s Super League, Barclays Women’s Championship, and the Subway Women’s League Cup.  A key element of the partnership will see Nike provide football boots and goalkeeper gloves to all players in the top two tiers who do not currently hold a personal endorsement deal.  The first-of-its-kind deal marks the next step of funding and sponsorship in English women’s football’s expansion roadmap, with over 250 players already opting in for new gear ahead of the 2025/26 season, which begins this weekend.  The collaboration will also see the launch of the first-ever league-branded lifestyle merchandise, which will be available online at Nike.com.  The line will include pre-match tops, t-shirts and hoodies featuring league branding. Nike have also...

   Chelsea have unveiled a six-piece jewellery collection in partnership with official jewellery partner D.LOUISE. Inspired by the Chelsea rose, the collection celebrates the club’s unrivalled success in the Women’s Super League and its ambition to ‘leave a lasting legacy in gold’.  Designed with the team’s achievements at the forefront, the collaboration brings a new way for fans to support their club, this time with a subtle and stylish alternative to the tried-and-tested matchday shirt.  Giulia Mazzia, Chelsea FC Women’s Commercial Director, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be the first Women’s Super League team to offer a bespoke jewellery line, that reflects the uniqueness of our players, our fans, and our values. The Chelsea Rose Collection has something for everyone. It is timeless, beautiful, and built to last. Just like our team, it’s strong, resilient, and ready for life on the move.”   Olivia Jenkins, Founder of D.LOUISE, added: “We’r...

   With ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup opening in a week, FIFA have confirmed prices will range from $60 to $6,730, with dynamic pricing in effect.   For the first time at its flagship tournament, FIFA will use dynamic ticket pricing, a system where prices shift based on demand. The model was previously tested at the Club World Cup and it could mean ticket costs climb as sales progress. Dynamic ticket pricing is commonly employed in the United States, but in the United Kingdom, it’s led to complaints from fans who were priced out of events, including at Oasis’s tour and last season’s FA Cup final.   “I think the message is ‘Get your tickets early,’ especially if you know where you will be because you live in that city or you’re a fan of the three hosting nations, and then you know already when and where they will play,” said Heimo Schirgi, FIFA’s World Cup 2026 chief operating officer. “So that’s the message: ‘Get your tickets early,’ becau...