An official State of Origin match is set to be played in New Zealand in 2027, with Auckland’s Eden Park reported to host Game 2 of the series. Negotiations between the NRL and the New Zealand government were reportedly concluded in January after talks that began late in 2025; Code Sports and local media have said the government bid about NZ$5 million to secure the fixture. The game would be the first official Origin match staged outside Australia since an exhibition in Long Beach in 1987 and follows the NRL’s recent practice of holding one neutral-venue game each series. Organisers have discussed a 9.30pm local kickoff (7.30pm AEDT) to suit Australian audiences. Former Kiwi international Gary Freeman and other figures have welcomed the move, saying it could boost attendances, grassroots participation and broadcast audiences in New Zealand. The decision comes amid government efforts to expand events and tourism and ongoing debate about NRL expansion and the sport’s regional growth.

Tony Pigott, a former England seamer and influential figure in county cricket, has died aged 67, the England and Sussex game said on Tuesday. Pigott, who had previously battled oesophageal cancer, suffered a heart attack and passed away on Sunday, according to reports. A product of Sussex, he took more than 1,000 wickets across first‑class and List A cricket, famously taking a hat‑trick on his first‑class debut and earning a late Test call‑up in 1984 that forced him to postpone his own wedding. He took two wickets in his solitary Test in Christchurch. After an 18‑year playing career (Sussex and later Surrey), Pigott held coaching and administrative roles, including Sussex CEO following a boardroom takeover, and later worked as a pitch inspector, match referee and ECB pitch liaison officer. Tributes poured in from former players and officials, including Chris Adams and Ian Gould, who praised his transformative impact on Sussex and the county game.

New Zealand’s men’s T20 World Cup preparations have been disrupted by a viral illness that has struck key batters Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway, the side’s head coach Rob Walter said on Feb. 5. Both players will miss a warm-up against the United States in Mumbai as they recover, while top-order batter Finn Allen is being rested as he continues to manage a shoulder complaint. All-rounder Michael Bracewell, who missed New Zealand’s recent series against India with a calf problem, is expected to be available for the tournament’s early matches. The Black Caps have also seen Jimmy Neesham fall ill and paceman Lockie Ferguson return from injury after showing encouraging form. Walter expressed optimism that the squad would be fit for their opening World Cup match against Afghanistan in Chennai, but acknowledged the challenges of touring and late fitness uncertainties. The setbacks come as New Zealand seek their first T20 World Cup title and try to build momentum in the subcontinent conditions ahead of the tournament fixtures.

An unnamed Premier League player complained to club officials after being featured on the front cover of his club’s matchday programme during the Rainbow Laces period for two consecutive seasons, according to reporting in The Athletic. The player’s objection was described as one of personal representation rather than opposition to equality initiatives. The disclosure comes as the Premier League prepares to launch a revised inclusion drive, With Pride, running Feb. 6-13, which follows the league’s split last year with LGBT charity Stonewall and the end of the long-running Rainbow Laces campaign. Under the new approach, symbolic obligations on players will be scaled back: team captains will not be required to wear rainbow armbands and players will not be mandated to wear pride-themed warm-up jackets or rainbow boot laces. League officials said inclusion messaging will instead be delivered through stadium screens, pitch-side advertising and match presentation infrastructure. The shift follows a turbulent season in which incidents such as Sam Morsy refusing to wear an armband, Marc Guehi writing religious messages on an armband and Noussair Mazraoui declining a pride-themed jacket exposed tensions between individual beliefs and league-led symbolism.

World champion Lando Norris and other drivers have warned that sweeping technical rule changes for the 2026 Formula 1 season will produce more unpredictable, “chaotic” racing as teams and drivers adapt. At a Barcelona shakedown held in late January–early February 2026, drivers tested smaller, lighter cars with active aero and a much larger electrical share of power. A new ‘boost button’ gives short bursts of electrical energy but batteries—designed to hold a similar capacity despite a threefold increase in permitted electrical output and the removal of the MGU‑H—can deplete rapidly, producing large speed differentials (reports cite up to a 350 kW drop when depleted). Drivers say energy management, aggressive downshifting, lift‑and‑coast techniques and turbo lag will become central to racecraft, potentially producing more overtakes and yo‑yoing of positions but increasing cockpit workload. Further three‑day pre‑season tests are due in Bahrain from Feb. 11, 2026, where teams expect to refine battery and deployment strategies ahead of the season.

World No.1 Australia’s Diamonds opened a three-Test netball series against No.3 Jamaica in Adelaide on Feb. 5, 2026, the sides’ final international meeting before the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later this year. Coach Stacey Marinkovich has named a strong squad with Thunderbirds premiership star Matilda Garrett promoted to start at goal defence after replacing injured defender Sunday Aryang, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear in October. Jamaica have rested a number of experienced shooters, including Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard and Romelda Aiken-George, giving their bench players a chance to stake claims. The series continues in Perth on Sunday and concludes in Melbourne the following Wednesday. Australia will use the three Tests to sharpen combinations and gather scouting information ahead of the multi-nation Games, while Jamaica will assess squad depth in the absence of some frontline stars. Matches are attracting domestic broadcast interest and will provide selectors with performance data for squad selection and tactical planning ahead of the summer’s major tournament.

Australia captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after scans showed his recurring back problem needs additional rest. Announced in early February 2026, Cummins — who aggravated a longstanding lumbar issue by returning for a decisive Ashes Test in Adelaide — will take several weeks off to allow the bone to settle, with medical staff advising a cautious build-up. The tournament begins on Feb. 7; Australia open their campaign on Feb. 11 against Ireland. Ben Dwarshuis has been named as his replacement and a trio of less-experienced quicks, including Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis, are expected to take on more responsibility as Josh Hazlewood continues to manage a hamstring problem and Mitchell Starc has retired from T20 internationals. Cummins remains hopeful of featuring for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, which starts March 26, but has said any participation will be “guided by my back.” Australia face a congested international calendar over the next 18 months — including tours to South Africa and India and a packed Test schedule — which has shaped the decision to prioritise long-term fitness over short-term returns.

Free agent Jesse Lingard, 33, has emerged as a target for Dutch club Feyenoord after being released by Seoul FC when his contract expired in December. Lingard made 67 appearances for Seoul, scoring 19 goals and providing 10 assists, and has been training individually since leaving the K League. Clubs in England, Italy and the Netherlands — including West Ham, Wolves and Genoa — have held discussions, but reports on Feb. 4-5, 2026 say Feyenoord, coached by Lingard’s former Manchester United team-mate Robin van Persie, have made contact. The move has gained urgency after a serious knee ligament injury to van Persie’s son and Feyenoord forward Shaqueel, leaving the squad short up front. Lingard, who last played in England for Nottingham Forest in 2022-23 and enjoyed a notable loan spell at West Ham in 2021, hopes to decide on his next club within days. He has said he is open to moves across Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere.

Long-serving presenters Richard Keys and Andy Gray are set to leave Qatari broadcaster beIN Sports at the end of the 2025-26 season, according to reports. The pair, aged 68 and 70 respectively, have fronted beIN's Premier League coverage since joining the network in 2013 after high-profile departures from Sky Sports in 2011. Their contracts are said to expire in May and neither is expected to sign new deals; reports add there has been no falling-out and the exits are amicable. Insiders suggest the decision reflects both the presenters’ ages and broader shifts in sports media toward social-media-driven formats, influencers and fan channels. Neither presenter is currently scheduled to present beIN’s World Cup coverage this summer in Canada, Mexico and the United States, though that could change. beIN Sports has not publicly commented. Keys and Gray’s long association with top-flight football broadcasts, and the lingering memory of the 2011 microphone incident that ended their Sky careers, mean their departure will mark the end of a familiar era for many viewers across beIN’s territories, which cover Turkey and the Middle East and North Africa.

Portland pulled off a major upset Wednesday night, beating No. 6 Gonzaga 87-80 at the Chiles Center in Portland, Ore., snapping Gonzaga’s 15-game winning streak. Freshman guard Joel Foxwell led the Pilots with 27 points and eight assists, while James O’Donnell added 16. Portland, a 21.5-point underdog, shot 59% from the field and hit 44% of its 3s. Gonzaga’s Graham Ike finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds but could not overcome his team’s off shooting (40% FG). The loss was Gonzaga’s second of the season (22-2, 10-1 WCC) and ended a 20-game Bulldog winning streak in the series; Portland improved to 11-14 (4-8 WCC). The Pilots’ home crowd stormed the court after the final horn. Portland coach Shantay Legans, who had recently suffered an Achilles injury, navigated the sideline despite his ailment. Gonzaga will try to regroup when it visits Oregon State on Saturday; the Bulldogs are coping with injuries to forward Braden Huff and the recent return of Ike.

DALLAS — The Dallas Stars beat the St. Louis Blues 5-4 on Wednesday, Feb. 4, as captain Jamie Benn scored twice, including the game-winner with 23 seconds remaining, to send Dallas into the Olympic break on a six-game winning streak. Jason Robertson opened the scoring and recorded his 200th NHL career goal — his 32nd of the season — becoming the first player from the 2017 draft class to reach the milestone. Matt Duchene also had a goal and an assist, and goalie Jake Oettinger made 14 saves for his sixth straight win. For St. Louis, Jordan Kyrou had a goal and an assist, Pavel Buchnevich scored on the power play, Jimmy Snuggerud extended a rookie point streak to six games, and Alexey Toropchenko tied the game late in the third before Benn’s decisive play. Blues goalie Jordan Binnington stopped 23 shots. The result extends Dallas’s season-long best streak and leaves St. Louis with just one victory in its last nine games. Both teams resume NHL play after the Olympics against the Seattle Kraken later in February.

The Utah Jazz (15-35) visit the Indiana Pacers (13-37) in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Feb. 3, tipping off at 7 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Utah is riding a six-game losing streak and has gone 5-18 on the road, while Indiana is 10-17 at home. Betting markets list the Pacers as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 236.5; DraftKings shows moneyline prices of Utah +137 and Indiana -164. SportsLine’s projection model simulated the matchup 10,000 times, backing the Under on 236.5 and projecting Lauri Markkanen to average about 24.6 points and Pascal Siakam about 25.2, while generating an against-the-spread pick that hits near 70% in simulations. Statistically, Utah gives up 127.0 points per game and has been outscored by nine points on average; the Pacers average 110.7 points. Key injuries include Utah’s Keyonte George (ankle), Georges Niang (foot), Walker Kessler (out for season, shoulder) and Jusuf Nurkic (rest). Indiana is missing Obi Toppin (foot) and Tyrese Haliburton (out for season, Achilles).

James Wilson, an 18-year-old Scotland international, has joined Tottenham Hotspur on loan from Heart of Midlothian until the end of the season with an option to make the move permanent. The forward, who has scored eight goals in 45 senior appearances since his breakthrough, will play for Spurs' Under-21s after a deadline-day switch in January that also drew interest from Arsenal. Hearts manager Derek McInnes said he had advised Wilson and his agent that staying at Hearts would have been preferable, arguing the striker is "better than academy football" and that a domestic loan would have been a better path to first-team minutes. Critics and former players have echoed concerns that moving from a Scottish Premiership side currently challenging at the top could be a step back for a player seeking senior minutes. Spurs, however, have inserted a purchase option and retain the possibility of exposing Wilson to first-team opportunities amid injuries and form issues up front. The transfer is part of a broader trend of young Scottish talent moving to English clubs' development squads.

Manchester City have signalled a structured shift as the club prepares for a post-Pep Guardiola era, BBC Sport reported on Feb. 4, 2026. The January transfer window saw marquee arrivals Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi sign long-term deals, underlining City’s continued pull in the market despite speculation around Guardiola’s future. The club has also seen on-field changes with the departures of Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Ederson, and off-field evolution as sporting director Txiki Begiristain handed responsibilities to Hugo Viana. Guardiola, who signed a two-year contract extension in November 2024, has around 18 months remaining on his deal; sources tell BBC Sport there is “tangible uncertainty” over whether he will complete the final year or agree fresh terms. City insiders say recruitment is no longer wholly dependent on Guardiola’s presence, pointing to the club’s financial muscle, infrastructure and assurances of competing for major trophies as decisive factors for recruits. A final decision on Guardiola’s future is expected towards or after the end of this season, leaving City to manage a phased transition while maintaining elite ambitions.

Oklahoma State upset No. 16 BYU 99-92 at Gallagher-Iba Arena on Wednesday night (Feb. 4, 2026), handing the Cougars a fourth loss in five games and delivering a marquee victory for the Cowboys. Senior guard Anthony Roy scored 30 points to lead Oklahoma State, while BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa poured in a game-high 36 points (13 of 20 shooting) in his fourth 30-plus outing of the season. BYU committed 16 turnovers, and Oklahoma State converted those miscues into a 21-8 advantage in points off turnovers. The win is Oklahoma State’s first Quad 1 victory and is expected to boost their NCAA Tournament profile and Bracketology projections — early models suggest the Cowboys could move into an 11-seed range. The victory prompted a court-storming at home as Oklahoma State seeks momentum before a road trip to No. 1 Arizona. BYU (17-5, 5-4 Big 12) remains in contention nationally but is grappling with recent defensive lapses; Oklahoma State improved to 16-6 (4-5 Big 12) with a signature resume-building result.

Anthony Edwards scored 30 points, 21 in the second half, as the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat the Toronto Raptors 128-126 in Toronto on Wednesday. Minnesota tightened its defence late, keyed by Edwards’ fourth-quarter surge and a series of turnovers by the home team that included two crunch-time miscues and an offensive interference call in the final seconds. Rudy Gobert finished with a double-double and Jaden McDaniels contributed 19 points for the visitors. Toronto saw six players reach double figures — Brandon Ingram led the Raptors with 25, Immanuel Quickley had 23 and Scottie Barnes posted a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double — but the club’s late-game ball security and missed free throws cost them. The result left Minnesota around 32-20 and Toronto about 30-22 on the season; it also marked Minnesota’s first win in Toronto since 2004.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes sparked and then quelled a flurry of retirement speculation about teammate Travis Kelce after a pair of social posts on Feb. 4-5, 2026. Mahomes initially posted “Let’s go!!!!! @tkelce” with three bullseye emojis after Kelce’s viral tee shot at the Waste Management Phoenix Open pro-am, where the tight end — playing with Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka — landed a shot just feet from the pin on the iconic par-3 16th. Followers read the cryptic message as a potential hint that Kelce would return for another NFL season; Kelce’s contract expires in March 2026 and he has publicly said he is weighing whether to play on. Mahomes quickly followed up, clarifying he was “talking about” golf and re-sharing the Golf Channel clip of the shot. The initial confusion was amplified by Kelce’s high-profile relationship and engagement to pop star Taylor Swift, fueling fan theories about elopement and retirement. Media outlets and social feeds carried the back-and-forth as Kelce enjoys the offseason spotlight while his pro future remains unresolved.

Mike Macdonald has transformed the Seattle Seahawks into a defense-first Super Bowl contender in just his second season as head coach. Hired two years ago to replace Pete Carroll, the 38-year-old former Ravens defensive coordinator led Seattle to a franchise-record 14 regular-season wins in 2025 and a top-ranked defense that allowed a league-low 17.2 points per game while finishing among the NFL leaders in sacks and interceptions. The Seahawks — one of the league’s youngest rosters — have balanced youth with veteran additions such as Cooper Kupp and Ernest Jones IV. Key contributors include Leonard Williams, Devon Witherspoon, rookie safety Nick Emmanwori and offensive standouts Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Kenneth Walker III. Macdonald has emphasized a culture-first, “loose and focused” approach and credits mentor John Harbaugh and staff hires such as offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak for the turnaround. ESPN has ranked Macdonald the third-best head coaching hire since 2021. Seattle sits one win from Super Bowl victory in a title game against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium, with Macdonald poised to become the first head coach to win a Super Bowl as the primary defensive play-caller.

The NCAA on Feb. 5 denied the University of Mississippi’s appeal seeking a sixth year of eligibility for quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, confirming an earlier Jan. 9 denial by its athletics eligibility subcommittee. Ole Miss called the decision “indefensible,” saying Chambliss did not dress for any games in 2022 due to severe, documented medical conditions. The NCAA cited insufficient or conflicting medical documentation and argued filings indicated Chambliss had chosen non-surgical treatment in 2022. Chambliss’s legal team has filed for an injunction in Mississippi state court to reverse the NCAA’s decision; a hearing is expected on Feb. 12. The outcome will determine whether Chambliss can play in 2026 or be forced to enter the 2026 NFL Draft despite a pending, lucrative return deal contingent on his eligibility. The case is one of several high-profile eligibility disputes headed for court this month, a development the NCAA warns could undermine centralized governance of collegiate athletics if judges routinely overrule its determinations.

Jeff Stoutland, the Philadelphia Eagles' veteran offensive line coach, announced he is leaving the organisation after 13 seasons. Stoutland, 63, posted on social media that his time in Philadelphia had come to an end after helping build one of the NFL's most consistent trenches. He joined the Eagles in 2013 and remained through multiple head-coaching changes, overseeing an offensive line that produced numerous Pro Bowlers and helped deliver Super Bowl victories (including LII and LIX) and three title-game appearances. Sources say friction over schematic changes — including a reduced role as run game coordinator and limited consultation on new run concepts — and the hiring of new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion contributed to his decision; Stoutland declined an offer to remain on staff. Prominent former players including Jason Kelce paid tribute. The team thanked him for “legendary contributions.” Stoutland is expected to remain involved in football and has drawn reported interest from other teams, while Mannion prepares to assemble his own offensive staff as the Eagles overhaul their attack after an uneven 2025 season.