Football news: Italy under immense pressure ahead of World Cup play-offs
Italy face the World Cup play-offs this week for a third consecutive time and are looking to finally qualify for their first World Cup since 2014.
While the Azzurri have had mixed fortunes over the last 12 years, including winning Euro 2020 against England at Wembley, the World Cup has continued to be the missing piece of the puzzle.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Luca Salmasi reports on the mixed fortunes for Italy ahead of their World Cup play-off later this week.
Premiership round-up: Bath demolish Saracens, Northampton Saints edge Newcastle and more
With the Six Nations over, players returned from international duty to bolster their respective clubs in the Gallagher Premiership, writes Sports News Blitz’s James Corrigan.
Their impact was immediate as a high-intensity weekend of action delivered emphatic wins, dramatic turnarounds, and crucial shifts in the league standings.
Rugby league round-up: Warrington Wolves maul Castleford Tigers as Leeds Rhinos lose again
This weekend of Super League action had it all, with upsets, huge scorelines, and some expected results making it a great advert for the neutral, writes Sports News Blitz’s Elliot Ward.
Wigan Warriors extended their good form by beating York Knights, with Warrington Wolves keeping pace at the top of the table courtesy of a demolition job against Castleford Tigers. Elsewhere, the struggles of Huddersfield Giants and Leigh Leopards continued as they came up short away from home.
Carabao Cup news: Arsenal and Mikel Arteta left frustrated as Man City, Pep Guardiola seal glory
Manchester City and Pep Guardiola secured a 2-0 victory over rivals Arsenal and Mikel Arteta in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday, writes Sports News Blitz’s Tyler Cooke.
Guardiola’s side ultimately showed greater composure and a clinical edge on the big stage, turning up when it mattered, while Arsenal struggled to find rhythm and failed to convert key chances.
Invincible Ibis flies home to land BMW Hong Kong Derby for Mark Newnham and Hugh Bowman
Crowning a phenomenal week for trainer Mark Newnham, Invincible Ibis vindicated Hugh Bowman’s faith with a record-breaking triumph in the HK$26 million (approx. £2.5m) BMW Hong Kong Derby (1m2f/2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (22 March).
Man Utd settle for draw against Bournemouth ahead of international break
Sports News Blitz’s Robert Bore reflects on a chaotic and entertaining draw as Manchester United’s push for Champions League football took another dramatic twist on the south coast.
Padel Mentality Launches to Challenge the ‘wasteful traditions of the Fashion and Sportswear Industry’
Transformative new apparel company Padel Mentality has launched today to challenge the fashion and sportswear industry's culture of overproduction and waste.
ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Kelso, Newbury and Bangor-On-Dee on Saturday, March 21
After a very profitable Cheltenham, normal service is resumed for Sports News Blitz’s horse racing pundit Kieran McHugh.
ITV Racing are showing 10 races on Saturday, from three different meetings, and our racing reporter is looking to continue his fine form.
Premier League betting tips: Richarlison to score, Bournemouth to beat Man Utd, and more Gameweek 31 tips
Read on for a breakdown of the best bets from this weekend’s Premier League TV games from Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate - The Bookie Basher - including the tasty Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle and Sunderland on Sunday, March 22.
Every time a host nation has won the World Cup
Only six nations have ever lifted the World Cup on home soil.
The last time it happened was in 1998. With three host nations competing at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, those looking to bet on the World Cup will want to know whether home advantage still matters.
Here's the full story of every time a country turned home support into a World Cup win.
Sunshine Double 2026: What next for British number ones Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu?
With Indian Wells completed and Miami now underway, there were mixed fortunes for the top-ranked British tennis players on their respective tours.
Here, Sports New Blitz writer and tennis obsessive AJ Becker takes a look at their seasons so far, and the possible implications of recent results.
Champions League analysis: Liverpool vs PSG quarter-final showdown set for fireworks
The UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain is shaping up to be one of the most compelling matchups of the season, writes Sports News Blitz’s Josh Topping.
With PSG entering as reigning champions and Liverpool chasing both silverware and redemption, this encounter carries enormous weight.
It’s not just about reaching the semi-finals, it’s about pride, history, and proving a point on Europe’s biggest stage.
Grand National 2026: JP McManus outsider supported for Grand National glory in William Hill non-runner, money back market
JP McManus looks set for a fourth Grand National victory as his horses dominate William Hill’s non-runner, money back market.
William Hill launched their non-runner, money back market (NRMB) for the Grand National earlier this week and have since seen a flurry of support for JP McManus’ contenders, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh reports.
Hit by an RPG, driven to gold: Jaco van Gass on resilience at the highest level
Jaco van Gass has built a reputation as a leading Paralympic speaker, known for translating elite performance into clear, practical insight on resilience, discipline and long-term focus.
In this exclusive interview with the High Performance Speakers Agency, he reflects on the defining moments behind his career, how he approaches setbacks at the highest level, and the mindset required to perform when it matters most.
Calandagan, Docklands and Royal Champion headline European entry for FWD Champions Day
Calandagan, Docklands and Royal Champion are among 14 European horses entered for FWD Champions Day on Sunday, 26 April at Sha Tin – all seeking the opportunity to race for the record HK$78 million (approx. £7.5 million) in prizemoney across three of world racing’s premier contests in Hong Kong.
Cricket opinion: Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s top five IPL moments
With the 2026 Indian Premier League starting soon, all eyes will be on the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal takes a trip down memory lane, as he looks at RCB’s top five moments in the history of the IPL
Soccer opinion: Is officiating ruining the Premier League as a product and spectacle?
As we approach the business end of a season in which officiating, and the controversies surrounding it, have taken the headlines almost weekly in the Premier League.
I felt it was time to take a look at how the past few weeks have sent a certain club’s fanbase to boiling point, as mistakes continue to be made by those refereeing football at the highest-possible level.
Sports News Blitz writer Charlie Fawcett takes a deep dive into how Leeds United and their supporters have been affected by “ambiguous” refereeing decisions so far in 2026.
WATCH! Pole Position podcast - Mercedes vs Ferrari, Australian GP and Chinese GP madness, and more
The latest episode of the Pole Position Podcast, powered by Sports News Blitz, reflects on the thrilling start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, following the conclusion of the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix.
Safe Alternatives to Real-Money Casinos in the US
Online gambling for money is legal in only a few US states. Specifically, New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia have a licensed market.
The remaining 45 states either prohibit or do not regulate gambling. This forces millions of Americans to look for legal casino alternatives in the US that do not violate the law.
The most preferred option is websites that operate under the legal model of sweepstakes gaming.
NFL news: Blockbuster contracts shake up free agency in 2026
As salary cap figures begin to climb, money has been flying around the NFL so far, since the free agency window opened.
Since the opening week of free agency teams have reportedly spent a record $5.83billion on player contracts, $2.59billion being guaranteed.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer and NFL fan Luca Salmasi reports on some of the latest blockbuster contracts that are shaking up the 2026 free agency landscape.