Capacity at Wembley Stadium increased to a record 96k for Riyadh Season Card boxing event

A sell-out crowd would set a record for a boxing event in the UK and post-war Europe, beating the 94,000 who saw Tyson Fury defeat Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April 2022, pictured. (AFP/File Photo)
A sell-out crowd would set a record for a boxing event in the UK and post-war Europe, beating the 94,000 who saw Tyson Fury defeat Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April 2022, pictured. (AFP/File Photo)
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Updated 29 August 2024
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Capacity at Wembley Stadium increased to a record 96k for Riyadh Season Card boxing event

Capacity at Wembley Stadium increased to a record 96k for Riyadh Season Card boxing event
  • The original 94,000 tickets for the event in London sold out last week and organizers applied successfully to increase the crowd size
  • A sell-out crowd would set a record for a boxing event in the UK and post-war Europe, beating the 94,000 who saw Tyson Fury defeat Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April 2022

LONDON: Approval has been granted for crowd capacity at Wembley Stadium to be increased to a record 96,000 for the Riyadh Season Card — Wembley Edition boxing event next month.

In the headline bout on Sept. 21, two-time former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will take on champion Daniel Dubois for the International Boxing Federation world heavyweight title.

General admission tickets for what will be the first Riyadh Season boxing event held in London sold out last week, based on the original event capacity of 94,000, but now that organizers have received the green light to increase capacity at England’s national stadium, additional tickets will go on sale on Friday at 12 noon, UK time, on Ticketmaster.com.

A sell-out crowd of 96,000 fans at the London stadium would set a record in the UK and post-war Europe for a boxing event, surpassing the 94,000 who watched Tyson Fury knock out Dillian Whyte at the same venue in April 2022.

The Riyadh Season Card event in London features six all-British bouts. Musical entertainment will be provided by Liam Gallagher in his first live performance since the announcement this week that he and his brother Noel will embark on an Oasis reunion tour in 2025.

The rebuilt Wembley stadium opened in 2007 on the site of the original stadium. For football matches, it has an official capacity of 90,000, and the record attendance is 89,874 for the 2008 FA Cup final in which Portsmouth defeated Cardiff City 1-0. The largest crowd at an event of any kind at the stadium was 98,000 at an Adele concert in June 2017.

The record attendance at the old Wembley Stadium was 126,047, when Bolton Wanderers beat West Ham United 2-0 in the 1923 FA Cup final.


Fast bowler Afridi back in Pakistan squad for white-ball series against West Indies in US

Fast bowler Afridi back in Pakistan squad for white-ball series against West Indies in US
Updated 53 sec ago
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Fast bowler Afridi back in Pakistan squad for white-ball series against West Indies in US

Fast bowler Afridi back in Pakistan squad for white-ball series against West Indies in US
  • Fast bowler Haris Rauf, who suffered a hamstring injury, has recovered and was named in the T20 squad
  • Pakistan’s pace attack was further strengthened Friday with the return of Hasan Ali for both T20s, ODIs

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recalled fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi for the white-ball cricket series against West Indies, starting at Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.

The three Twenty20 matches in the US — on July 31, Aug. 2 and 3 — will be followed by three ODI games in Trinidad and Tobago.

Afridi, who is also in the ODI squad, was surprisingly excluded from Pakistan’s last two T20 series against Bangladesh despite leading Lahore Qalandars to its third Pakistan Super League title in the last four years with a rich haul of 19 wickets this year.

In Afridi’s absence, Pakistan routed Bangladesh 3-0 at home but lost 2-1 to Bangladesh at Dhaka in a series which ended Thursday.

Fast bowler Haris Rauf, who was forced to miss the series against Bangladesh because of a hamstring injury he sustained during Major League Cricket (MLC) in the US, has recovered and was named in the T20 squad.

Pakistan’s pace attack was further strengthened Friday with the return of Hasan Ali for both T20s and ODIs against West Indies.

The selectors dropped pace bowlers Abbas Afridi and Salman Mirza, who both participated in the T20 series in Bangladesh, and retained all-rounders Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz.

Middle-order batter Hasan Nawaz is the only uncapped player named in the ODI squad. Nawaz scored Pakistan’s fastest-ever T20 century against New Zealand in March this year.

Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the T20 side while wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was named skipper for the ODI series.

Twenty20 squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.

ODI squad: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.


Ten-woman Brazil survive Colombia challenge in Copa goalless draw

Ten-woman Brazil survive Colombia challenge in Copa goalless draw
Updated 26 July 2025
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Ten-woman Brazil survive Colombia challenge in Copa goalless draw

Ten-woman Brazil survive Colombia challenge in Copa goalless draw
  • Brazil’s goalkeeper Lorena was shown a red card in the 21st minute after handling the ball outside the penalty area
  • Despite enjoying a numerical advantage, Colombia were unable to break the deadlock

QUITO: Colombia failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage in Friday’s final Group B match at the Women’s Copa America, as the reigning champions Brazil held them to a goalless draw despite being a player down.

Brazil’s goalkeeper Lorena was shown a red card in the 21st minute after handling the ball outside the penalty area in a bid to stop Linda Caicedo’s shot during a rapid Colombian counterattack.

After consulting with assistant referee Mariana Aquino, referee Milagros Arruela dismissed Lorena, forcing Brazil to rely on substitute goalkeeper Claudia for the rest of the match.

Despite enjoying a numerical advantage, Colombia were unable to break the deadlock, with attempts from Valerin Loboa and Mayra Ramirez failing to find the back of the net.

“Today was a very tough game, very exhausting, and we wanted to win, but now we have to keep working hard for what’s coming,” Loboa said after the match.

Brazil stood firm in defense, and in the second half they tried to take the lead with attempts from Yasmim, Gabi Portilho and Dudinha, but they were all unsuccessful. They came closest with a free kick from Yasmim in added time that hit the crossbar.

“We knew it would be a very difficult game, but we’re very proud of this result with one player less. Now it’s time to rest and think about the semifinal,” Portilho said.

Both teams were already through to the semifinals, and Group B leaders Brazil will face Uruguay on Tuesday. Meanwhile, runners-up Colombia, with eight points, will take on Group A leaders Argentina on Monday.


Esports World Cup launches new social media channel

Esports World Cup launches new social media channel
Updated 25 July 2025
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Esports World Cup launches new social media channel

Esports World Cup launches new social media channel
  • EWC_Extra is dedicated to real-time match coverage, community moments and behind-the-scenes content

RIYADH: As the 2025 Esports World Cup continues in Riyadh, the Esports World Cup Foundation has launched EWC_Extra, a dedicated social channel on X and Instagram focused on real-time coverage, community reactions and key moments from inside the arena.

Built for the community across EWC’s 25 tournaments, EWC_Extra features play-by-play content from tournament upsets and Most Valued Player performances to memes, creator posts and behind-the-scenes access.

In tandem with the main EWC channel, it forms a two-part content ecosystem to reflect the scale of the world’s biggest esports event. While the main channel delivers human stories and cultural context, EWC_Extra stays focused on the tournament action itself.

Running until Aug. 24, Esports World Cup 2025 brings together 2,000 players and 200 clubs competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a record-breaking prize pool of $70+ million prize pool. Backed by football legend Cristiano Ronaldo and chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, it is being broadcast in 140 countries.

Two weeks in, eight champions have been crowned so far.

Gen.G continued their winning streak to take the League of Legends title, Heretics won VALORANT in a dramatic reverse sweep, VK claimed Apex Legends with a final-game victory, and Redline defended their Rennsport title.

GO1 delivered a shock win over favorite Xiao Hai in Fatal Fury, while Team Spirit dropped just one game on their way to the Dota 2 crown. Team Vitality were unbeaten to take the MLBB Women’s Invitational and EVOS Esports triumphed in Free Fire, with 15-year-old wonderkid Rasyah securing the tournament’s MVP award. 


Messi and Alba suspended for one match for missing MLS All-Star

Messi and Alba suspended for one match for missing MLS All-Star
Updated 25 July 2025
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Messi and Alba suspended for one match for missing MLS All-Star

Messi and Alba suspended for one match for missing MLS All-Star
  • Messi and Alba did not compete on Wednesday despite not being injured
  • The suspension will see them miss Inter Miami’s match against FC Cincinnati

NEW YORK: Lionel Messi has been suspended for one game after sitting out the MLS All-Star Game without prior approval, the league said on Friday.

The Inter Miami forward and his teammate, Jordi Alba, did not compete on Wednesday despite not being injured, even though they were included in the All-Star roster.

“Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match,” MLS said in a statement.

The suspension will see them miss Inter Miami’s match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday. Messi has scored 18 goals so far this season.

Messi rested this week, according to Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano.

“Look, players always have discomfort, especially when they play every three days,” Mascherano was quoted as saying by ESPN.


‘Incredible’: Ben Sulayem says F1’s future has never looked more exciting

‘Incredible’: Ben Sulayem says F1’s future has never looked more exciting
Updated 25 July 2025
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‘Incredible’: Ben Sulayem says F1’s future has never looked more exciting

‘Incredible’: Ben Sulayem says F1’s future has never looked more exciting
  • As 2025 season heads for Belgian Grand Prix, FIA president sees bright new era as today’s stars pave way for next generation

DUBAI: Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, believes the future of Formula 1 has never looked more exciting as the 2025 season heads for this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

With the current season delivering some of the best action seen in recent years, and with plenty more still to come, Ben Sulayem feels the arrival next year of a new team, a new venue and new regulations will reinforce the championship’s global appeal.

“As we reach the mid-point of the 2025 calendar, we are already looking towards next season with a great deal of excitement and expectation,” the FIA president said in a press release. “Our fans have plenty to look forward to, with Cadillac joining the grid as the 11th team, new FIA regulations to improve racing — bringing lighter, more agile cars and sustainable fuel — and the addition of Madrid as a new racing destination.

“The level of competition this year is incredible, with so much top-level talent on display,” he continued. “And the impact of F1 is also supporting the FIA’s goal to increase global participation in motorsport. Talented young drivers, whatever their background, have a real chance, and the next generation of stars is already coming through.”

Ben Sulayem also addressed the possibility of a first F1 driver from the Middle East.

“Although the Middle East has yet to produce a Formula 1 driver, that may change as more young prospects emerge from a region eager to make a bigger impact in F1 and global motorsport,” he said.

“F1’s popularity has seen remarkable growth across the Arab world, particularly among young people and female fans. In Saudi Arabia, there is a strong focus on engaging youth at every level of the sport — a trend mirrored in Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE,” he continued.

“This inclusive momentum is vital to ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of motorsport throughout the region.”