LIV Golf confirms return to Indianapolis in 2026

Captain Jon Rahm of Legion XIII hits his shot from the third fairway during the first round of LIV Golf Indianapolis at The Club at Chatham Hills on Friday, August 15, 2025 in Westfield, Indiana. (Supplied/LIV Golf)
Captain Jon Rahm of Legion XIII hits his shot from the third fairway during the first round of LIV Golf Indianapolis at The Club at Chatham Hills on Friday, August 15, 2025 in Westfield, Indiana. (Supplied/LIV Golf)
Short Url
Updated 27 sec ago

LIV Golf confirms return to Indianapolis in 2026

LIV Golf confirms return to Indianapolis in 2026
  • The Indiana course made its debut on the league’s calendar this week, drawing record attendance for the 2025 championship

LONDON: LIV Golf confirmed on Saturday it will return to The Club at Chatham Hills in 2026, with the venue set to host the LIV Golf League Individual Championship for a second consecutive year.

The event will take place August 21 to 23.

The Indiana course made its debut on the league’s calendar this week, drawing record attendance for the 2025 championship.

LIV Golf Executive Vice President and Head of Events Ross Hallett praised the community’s response. 

“From the course’s outstanding design to the record attendance and fantastic energy throughout the community, this week’s Indiana debut has exceeded our high expectations. We’ve already begun planning for next year, and we can’t wait to raise the bar in 2026,” he said.

Local officials also welcomed the announcement.

Westfield Mayor Scott Willis described the tournament’s return as “an outstanding opportunity to showcase our community, hospitality, and quality of life,” while Hamilton County Tourism President Karen Radcliff said the event had already provided “remarkable” exposure for the region.

The 2026 edition will again feature many of golf’s biggest names, including Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, and Cameron Smith.

LIV Golf Indianapolis is the ninth event confirmed for the 2026 season, part of the league’s 14-event global schedule.

Other stops already announced include Riyadh, Adelaide, Singapore, South Africa, Mexico City, Virginia, Andalucía, and the UK, with further venues to be revealed.


Semenyo says alleged racist abuse at Liverpool ‘will stay with me forever’

Semenyo says alleged racist abuse at Liverpool ‘will stay with me forever’
Updated 16 August 2025

Semenyo says alleged racist abuse at Liverpool ‘will stay with me forever’

Semenyo says alleged racist abuse at Liverpool ‘will stay with me forever’
  • Ghanian international added that the incident during the Premier League season opener on Friday had also shown football’s “best side when it mattered most”

LIVERPOOL: Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo said on Saturday the racist abuse he alleges was directed at him by a Liverpool fan at Anfield “will stay with me forever.”

But the Ghanian international added that the incident during the Premier League season opener on Friday had also shown football’s “best side when it mattered most.”

Police have launched an investigation after Semenyo was abused by someone in the crowd during the first half of Liverpool’s 4-2 win.

Play was halted and a 47-year-old man was later ejected from the stadium.

Semenyo, 25, went on to score twice as Bournemouth came back from 2-0 down but Liverpool scored two late goals to seal the win.

“Last night at Anfield will stay with me forever — not because of one person’s words, but because of how the entire football family stood together,” Semenyo said on social media.

“To my Bournemouth team-mates who supported me in that moment, to the Liverpool players and fans who showed their true character, to the Premier League officials who handled it professionally — thank you. Football showed its best side when it mattered most.

“Scoring those two goals felt like speaking the only language that truly matters on the pitch. This is why I play — for moments like these, for my team-mates, for everyone who believes in what this beautiful game can be.

“The overwhelming messages of support from across the football world remind me why I love this sport. We keep moving forward, together,” he added.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk described the incident as a “disgrace” and said it showed how much work needed to be done to educate people about racism.

“What else can we do? Because this is the very odd one (case) that has managed to say something that is obviously a disgrace,” the Dutchman said.

“The only thing we can do is deal with it by dealing with him personally and try to educate the next generation. That is the only way to try and kick it out, in my opinion.

“I can’t believe it. These things shouldn’t happen but unfortunately it does and it is an absolute disgrace in my eyes.

“These things should never happen in the world, not only (never in) football.”

Van Dijk also said he was “here for Antoine, whenever he needs it and we are here as a club to deal with it in the best way possible because it shouldn’t happen.”


NGSC 2025 expands program at world’s largest esports conference with new speakers, forums

NGSC 2025 expands program at world’s largest esports conference with new speakers, forums
Updated 16 August 2025

NGSC 2025 expands program at world’s largest esports conference with new speakers, forums

NGSC 2025 expands program at world’s largest esports conference with new speakers, forums
  • With over 1,500 delegates, the Riyadh event will host 500 CEOs, including Hideo Kojima, Steven Bartlett, and leaders from Amazon, Ubisoft, and FIFA

RIYADH: The Esports World Cup Foundation has expanded its New Global Sports Conference 2025 program, confirming additional speakers, new content tracks, and event design updates for its return to Riyadh on Aug. 23-24.

Held at the Four Seasons Hotel during the closing weekend of the Esports World Cup, the world’s largest esports and gaming event, NGSC 2025 is the leading global platform at the intersection of gaming, esports and sport.

With over 1,500 delegates confirmed, the event will welcome more than 500 CEOs, presidents, and board members. Attendees represent more than 25 major game publishers, as well as over 50 elite esports clubs, and leaders across global sport, technology venture capital, and media.

New NGSC 2025 speakers include game creator Hideo Kojima, one of the most influential figures in interactive entertainment, and his longtime collaborator, filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn; Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot, the force behind Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry; and Matthew Ball, a pioneering tech authority, investor, producer, and best-selling author. Media entrepreneur Steven Bartlett brings insight from “Diary of a CEO” podcast, while Dan Clancy, CEO of Twitch, will explore how their platforms are shaping the future of gaming and live entertainment.

They join speakers and attendees that include World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen, Peter Moore, former CEO of Liverpool FC, LA28 Chair and President Casey Wasserman and senior executives from FIFA, Activision, Sony, SEGA, Hero Esports, and the Esports World Cup Foundation.

Hans Jagnow, director of special projects at EWCF, said: “Over two years, NGSC 2025 has evolved into the world’s largest forum for leaders in gaming, esports and sport. This year, we expanded stages and content to bring together a growing audience of visionaries who see NGSC as the ultimate platform to define the next game. We look forward to the ideas, commitments and connections forged at the booked-out event that will drive the growth and innovation of our industry and shape what’s next.”

NGSC 2025 will introduce new formats for strategic dialogue and insight through the Foundry, an exclusive stage hosting masterclasses, workshops and curated roundtables. While most sessions are open to registered guests, select high-level discussions will be by invitation only. Within the Foundry, the Investor Track connects leading investors with high-potential ventures in gaming, esports and sport through a series of closed-door, investment-focused sessions.

A new NGSC Studio stage will host live podcasts, interviews and original content over the two days, giving a platform to the voices and ideas shaping the future of sport and entertainment. Alongside this, the expanded media village will serve as the central hub for press activity, real-time content and storytelling across the event.

The preliminary program is now live, with more sessions and speakers to be announced.


Weigh-in staredown sets stage for heavyweight clash between Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte

 Weigh-in staredown sets stage for heavyweight clash between Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte
Updated 16 August 2025

Weigh-in staredown sets stage for heavyweight clash between Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte

 Weigh-in staredown sets stage for heavyweight clash between Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte
  • Showdown is on of several high-profile bouts on Saturday as part of Esports World Cup festival

RIYADH: The Saudi capital Riyadh on Friday night hosted the official weigh-in for the global boxing event taking place on Saturday at ANB Arena, as part of the major events of the Esports World Cup, headlined by the heavyweight showdown between young British contender Moses Itauma and veteran Dillian Whyte.

The event drew a large crowd of fans and media, as the fighters stepped onto the scale amid a charged atmosphere before facing off in an intense staredown. Both fighters successfully made weight, marking the final step before entering the ring.

Itauma enters the fight with a perfect record of 20 wins without defeat, 10 of which came by knockout, while Whyte holds 31 victories (21 by knockout) against three losses, returning to the ring after recovering from a hand injury.

Alongside the main event, the evening will feature high-profile global bouts, including a clash between Ireland’s Callum Walsh, ranked No.4 by the IBF and No.5 by the WBC with a 14-0 record (11 KOs), and American Fernando Vargas Jr., who has 17 wins without defeat (15 KOs).

In the super middleweight division, The Ring magazine’s No.1-ranked Christian Mbilli (29-0, 24 KOs) will face Lester Martinez, ranked No.3 by the WBA and No.7 by the WBC, with a 19-0 record (16 KOs).

Representing in the event, Mohammed Alakel will compete in his first bout outside Riyadh after his recent victory over Alexander Morales, as he takes on American John Ornelas (5 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, 2 KOs).

On the preliminary card, Japan’s Reito Tsutsumi (2-0, 1 KO) will meet Javier Martinez (10-1, 3 KOs), while Serhii Bohacuk faces Brandon Adams, Sultan Almohammed takes on Martin Caraballo, Steve Nelson meets an opponent yet to be determined, and Marco Verde will face an opponent also yet to be confirmed.

This evening is part of the Esports World Cup, hosted in Riyadh from July 7 to Aug. 24, with more than 2,000 players and 200 clubs competing for total prizes of $70 million, in an atmosphere combining digital entertainment with live combat sports.


Weibo Gaming win Teamfight Tactics tournament at Esports World Cup 2025

Weibo Gaming win Teamfight Tactics tournament at Esports World Cup 2025
Updated 16 August 2025

Weibo Gaming win Teamfight Tactics tournament at Esports World Cup 2025

Weibo Gaming win Teamfight Tactics tournament at Esports World Cup 2025
  • Chinese champions bounce back from EWC 2024 disappointment with first major tournament win

RIYADH: Weibo Gaming have won the Teamfight Tactics tournament at the Esports World Cup 2025 following a 3-1 victory over Virtus.pro in the grand final. Along with the trophy, Weibo Gaming won $150,000 from the $500,000 prize pool.

Weibo Gaming were unbeaten on their way to the grand final after missing out at the quarterfinal stage last year. They beat EWC 2024 finalists T1 on the opening day before sweeping aside Team Vitality to win their group. In the playoffs stage they took down EVOS Esports 2-0 and AEGIS 2-1. The grand final saw the format shift to best of five, and Weibo Gaming defeated Virtus.pro 3-1.

It was a game too far for Virtus.pro, who had taken down both EWC 24 grand finalists on the way to the final game. With their well-earned title as giant slayers coming into the final, Weibo Gaming were up for their challenge.

The grand final provided a great display of tactical play. Weibo Gaming set the marker down in round one with a dominant victory. Virtus.pro reversed the tide to secure a game for themselves in round two. Round three saw the teams forced into a 1v1, and despite leading, Virtus.pro were not able to clinch the win. On match point, Weibo Gaming held on to convert the game into victory.

Yao Chuanheng said: “I am incredibly excited. It’s been a long road for everyone. We’ve done so much, we’ve put in so much work to prepare for this, and we’ve finally done it. So, thank you; thank you to everyone. We are the champions.”

Yin Shengjie was named the Sony MVP (most valuable player), having led the line for his team throughout the event. He won an additional $10,000 and the MVP medal to recognize his achievements.

He said: “I believe this MVP prize doesn’t belong to me alone, but to every single one of Weibo Gaming.”

Weibo Gaming now earn 1,000 Club Championship points to take them up two places to eighth in the table with 1,950 points. The club will be represented in just one more title, Street Fighter 6 in week seven of EWC 25, which means they will need another solid result to climb further up the table. They are, however, out of contention to win the Club Championship.

The second-place finish was huge for the hopes of Virtus.pro as it took them to fourth in the standings and moved them to within just 200 points of Team Vitality in third place.

The loss is Virtus.pro’s third second-place finish this year, which could prove crucial come the end of the Esports World Cup as they will need to lift at least one trophy to be eligible to win the Club Championship. However, with four rosters still due to complete, they still have a decent chance.

Team Liquid, Team Falcons, Team Vitality, Virtus.pro, and Twisted Minds make up the top five in the Club Championship standings at present, and all have a chance at the top prize.

Natus Vincere, currently 23rd in the standings, also have a shot with the remaining games they are competing in. With the clock ticking down, everything is still on the line.

The Esports World Cup continues until Aug. 24 with tournaments across multiple titles, including Crossfire, Counter Strike 2 and Street Fighter 6. 

For more information and tickets, visit esportsworldcup.com. 

The event concludes with the New Global Sport Conference, which is being held at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh from Aug. 23-24. NGSC 2025 aims to foster dialogue, drive collaboration, and shape the future of competitive entertainment. For more information and tickets, visit newglobalsportconference.com. 


Late Salah, Chiesa goals give Liverpool 4-2 win in thrilling Premier League opener

Late Salah, Chiesa goals give Liverpool 4-2 win in thrilling Premier League opener
Updated 16 August 2025

Late Salah, Chiesa goals give Liverpool 4-2 win in thrilling Premier League opener

Late Salah, Chiesa goals give Liverpool 4-2 win in thrilling Premier League opener
  • Champions give up two-goal lead but rally to win
  • Ekitike and Gakpo put Liverpool ahead at Anfield
  • Semenyo suffers racist abuse before scoring twice

LIVERPOOL, England: Liverpool talisman Mo Salah and substitute Federico Chiesa struck late goals as the Premier League champions began the defense of their title by beating Bournemouth 4-2 in a thriller on the opening night of the season at Anfield on Friday.

On a bittersweet evening charged with emotion after the July death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, newcomer Hugo Ekitike bagged a goal on his league debut to put the hosts ahead after 37 minutes and Cody Gakpo doubled the lead in the 49th.

But Antoine Semenyo, who was the target of racist abuse in the first half that led to a pause in the game, pulled one back for the visitors in the 64th minute and completed a double 12 minutes later to rock Liverpool and shock the home fans.

However, Chiesa came off the bench and sent the Anfield faithful away happy with an 88th-minute strike after goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic swatted away a ball into the box by Salah, who scored himself deep into added time to wrap up the three points.

“Fantastic,” Liverpool boss Arne Slot said of Italian forward Chiesa’s goal. “He came in in the end because we needed a goal. For him then to score in such a moment is special.

“It’s even more special because the fans have supported him. It’s nice he gives them something in return with a great goal.”

With Liverpool ahead again, Salah chased the ball past the defense before cutting inside and firing into the bottom corner with a 94th-minute goal that put the Egyptian joint-fourth with Andy Cole on the all-time Premier League scorers’ list with 187.

An emotional Salah pointed to the heavens and flapped two hands to mimic Jota’s shark goal celebration.

He headed for The Kop stand after the final whistle, and wiped away tears while applauding the fans who were singing their Jota song to the tune of “Bad Moon Rising.”

Minute’s silence

The night started with an emotional minute’s silence for Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who died in a car crash. Fans fought back tears as they sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Ekitike, who has joined from Eintracht Frankfurt, was the most impressive of Slot’s close-season signings in a spending spree topping 300 million pounds ($406.53 million).

“Obviously I think it was a good performance, I could do better,” said the French forward — who held up two fingers in one hand, and made a zero with the other in a tribute to Liverpool’s Jota, who wore number 20 — after his goal.

“But the most important thing was winning, the mentality we showed. Obviously we wanted to win tonight for the people who came and for Diogo,” added the 23-year-old forward.

The game was halted for several minutes after Bournemouth’s Ghana international Semenyo reported the racist abuse.

“It’s totally unacceptable,” Bournemouth captain Adam Smith said. “Kind of in shock to be honest that it happened. In this day and age it shouldn’t be happening.

“I don’t know how Ant’s played on to be honest and come up with those goals ... Something has to be done. We’ll support him in there and hopefully he’ll be ok.”