Italy Six Nations revival a lesson for Wales as England challenge awaits March 6, 2026 In 2019 rugby in Italy was staring down the barrel of extinction: three home Six Nations matches at their 70,500-capacity Stadio Olimpico drew crowds of just 38,500 versus Wales, 49,700 against Ireland and 48,800 for their match against France. Fast forward to 2026, however, having just beaten Scotland in front of 68,200 fans Italy will [...]
English rugby is on brink of seismic change. It mustn’t fumble at the try line March 5, 2026 Ed Warner was part of the group that has recommended major changes to the way English rugby is governed. He explains why this is a generational opportunity. This is news overload time for English rugby. The men’s national team wilting twice in the Six Nations under weighty expectations, debate about the possible impact of head [...]
Olympics should lead way in AI and lighten impossible load on its judges February 26, 2026 If any sporting body has the means to fund investment in AI judging it’s the International Olympic Committee, writes Ed Warner. I’ve no idea whether Zoe Atkin’s “amplitude” deserved to bag silver rather than bronze in the freeski halfpipe on Sunday. All I know is she didn’t wipe out on all three of her three [...]
Britain must launch no-brainer 2038 Winter Olympics bid February 22, 2026 What strikes you when attending the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics is not just the spectacle, but the structure. Multiple cities. Regional clusters. Existing venues reused. An iconic cultural backdrop. These were Games shaped as much by pragmatism and fiscal discipline as prestige. The spread-out model may have muted the traditional host-city buzz, but Milano Cortina [...]
Marketing win for Prem Rugby would be Andy Farrell at Saracens February 20, 2026 Andy Farrell dropping Sam Prendergast for Ireland’s clash with England in the Six Nations this Saturday is a ballsy move. But the next time Farrell travels to Allianz Stadium, after this weekend, could be in a Prem Rugby final as a key cog in the Saracens machine. Because I am one of the growing number [...]
I went to the Winter Olympics but I found Milan shrugging its shoulders February 19, 2026 Milan is parading its beauty at the Winter Olympics. The sun is out, the centuries-old streets are majestic and pristine. Prada, Gucci and Ralph Lauren logos plaster every corner, and there is no shortage of Michelin Guide restaurants. It’s no surprise that London has been haemorrhaging non-doms and wealthy investors to this glorious metropolis. But [...]
IOC looks tin-eared at best, cruel at worst over Ukraine helmet saga February 19, 2026 The reputations of the IOC and its president Kirsty Coventry have suffered badly from its handling of the Ukraine helmet row at the Winter Olympics, says Ed Warner. Are you not entertained? The Winter Olympics have delivered stories ranging from the titillating (penile injections, condom shortages and a narcissistic declaration of infidelity) to the enraging [...]
How the business of photographing the Winter Olympics has changed February 18, 2026 Getty Images’ Ken Mainardis takes us through how the business of snapping the Winter Olympics has changed over time. Picture this – you hoist a 20kg bag of camera equipment onto your back and ski down an Olympic course to lie down in the snow and wait for hours for competition to start, all so [...]
Why agents are asking athletes to get a pre-nup this Valentine’s Day February 14, 2026 The rise of the pre-nuptial agreement continues unabated. And never more so than for young successful athletes who tick all the ‘you need an agreement’ boxes – rapid accumulation of wealth, short career spans and public interest in their private lives. For many, a pre-nuptial agreement now sits firmly on the wedding to-do list alongside [...]
Why influencers could blow traditional broadcasters out of the water February 13, 2026 The tidal wave of influencers continues to come in-land, and they could be the key to unlocking fan bases that broadcasters cannot. Staying awake past midnight and into Monday morning for a four-hour American football game, knowing the alarm will ring in a few hours, used to be a niche obsession in Britain. Now it [...]