Real Madrid and Benfica, coached by Jose Mourinho, will compete in the UEFA Champions League playoffs. Paris Saint-Germain will face Monaco in another playoff match. The playoffs are needed because some teams, including Real and PSG, did not automatically qualify for the last 16 due to their league phase results.
Key Facts
Real Madrid will play against Benfica, led by former Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, in the UEFA Champions League playoffs.
Benfica secured their playoff spot by defeating Real Madrid 4-2, with a last-minute goal from their goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin.
The top eight teams from the Champions League league phase automatically advanced to the round of 16; the next 16 teams will play in a two-legged playoff to qualify.
Paris Saint-Germain will face Monaco in their playoff match.
PSG finished 11th in the league phase, missing automatic qualification due to dropping points late in the competition.
Monaco, currently 10th in Ligue 1, will play against PSG in the European playoff.
The Champions League playoffs will occur in February.
Newcastle United will play Qarabag, Inter Milan will face Bodo/Glimt, Juventus will play Galatasaray, and Atletico Madrid will meet Club Brugge.
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Urban Meyer, a well-known college football coach, is worried about a problem in college football called "tampering." Tampering is when people try to contact players who are not officially allowed to transfer to another school. Meyer believes this issue is growing because there are no strict rules to stop it.
Key Facts
More than 6,700 Division I college football players entered the transfer portal this offseason.
Tampering involves contacting players who are not officially in the transfer portal.
Clemson's coach, Dabo Swinney, accused Ole Miss of tampering.
Urban Meyer predicts the number of tampering cases could increase dramatically.
Meyer criticizes the NCAA for not enforcing rules to prevent tampering.
Some suggest appointing a commissioner for college football, but Meyer doubts its effectiveness.
Meyer wants NCAA President Charlie Baker to take action against tampering.
Meyer discusses his concerns on "The Triple Option" podcast, which he co-hosts.
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Celtic will compete against Stuttgart, and Nottingham Forest will face Fenerbahce in two-legged play-offs to advance to the last 16 of the Europa League. The play-off matches are scheduled for February 19 and 26.
Key Facts
Celtic will play Stuttgart in a Europa League play-off.
Nottingham Forest will face Fenerbahce in their play-off match.
The first leg for Celtic will be at Celtic Park.
The winners of Celtic's tie will play either Porto or Braga in the last 16.
Forest will play either Midtjylland or Real Betis if they win against Fenerbahce.
The play-off matches will be on February 19 and 26.
Celtic qualified for the play-offs by beating Utrecht 4-2.
Forest secured their play-off spot by defeating Ferencvaros 4-0.
The 2026 Europa League final will be in Istanbul, Turkey.
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The 68th Annual Grammy Awards will take place this Sunday with a diverse lineup of performers and presenters. There are notable artists like Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar, who has nine nominations, and others from genres such as K-pop and country music. The event will have performances, award presentations, and an "In Memoriam" segment.
Key Facts
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards are scheduled for this Sunday.
There are 18 or 19 performances planned for the event.
Lady Gaga, who is the second most nominated artist this year, will perform.
Kendrick Lamar leads with nine nominations and could be the third rapper to win Album of the Year.
If Bad Bunny wins Album of the Year, it will be the first time an all-Spanish-language album has won.
No K-pop artist has won a Grammy, but there are several nominations from this genre.
The Academy has split the country music awards to include Best Contemporary and Best Traditional Country Album.
Trevor Noah will host the ceremony, airing on CBS and Paramount Plus.
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The New York Knicks are no longer a top choice for trading with Milwaukee Bucks star player Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks are asking for a high price that the Knicks might not be able to match, especially after trading away many future draft picks. Other teams like the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat are now seen as more likely options for acquiring Giannis.
Key Facts
The New York Knicks were once a preferred option for Giannis Antetokounmpo in a trade.
Giannis Antetokounmpo may be open to leaving the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Knicks are ranked low as a potential trade partner by CBS Sports.
The Knicks traded away many future draft picks, making it hard to meet the Bucks' demands.
Other teams like the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat are now getting more attention in the trade talks.
The Knicks have strengthened their team with players like Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges.
Despite trade talks, the Knicks remain strong contenders in the Eastern Conference.
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WWE "SmackDown" will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and air at different times across regions. The show will feature several wrestling matches and notable WWE stars, leading up to the "Royal Rumble 2026" event.
Key Facts
WWE "SmackDown" will be live from Riyadh at noon ET.
The episode airs at 8 p.m. ET in the United States.
Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre will meet Sami Zayn.
Cody Rhodes will discuss his recent fight and aim to be a three-time Royal Rumble winner.
Carmelo Hayes will defend his WWE United States Championship in an open challenge against Rey Fenix.
Additional matches include Ilja Dragunov vs. The Miz and Johnny Gargano vs. Axiom.
Newsweek Sports provides live updates on "SmackDown."
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Lindsey Vonn had a crash during a downhill ski race in Switzerland, causing her to be airlifted to a hospital. The incident raises questions about her participation in the upcoming Winter Olympics. The race was canceled after several skiers crashed in difficult conditions.
Key Facts
Lindsey Vonn crashed during a World Cup downhill race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.
The crash happened just before the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, raising doubts about her participation.
After the crash, Vonn limped and was later airlifted to a hospital.
The race was canceled after three of the first six skiers crashed.
Vonn is 41 years old and recently returned to skiing after a partial right knee replacement.
She has been successful this season, with two wins and three other podium finishes.
Vonn planned to compete in multiple events at the Olympics, including the women's downhill and super-G.
The crash occurred under challenging conditions with poor visibility.
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The New England Patriots are considering adding wide receiver Mike Evans, currently with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to their team. Evans has a strong track record, but recent injuries might influence his decision to move. The Patriots aim to support their quarterback Drake Maye, who has performed well in his early career.
Key Facts
Drake Maye, the Patriots' quarterback, has led them to the Super Bowl in his second season.
Maye threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns in the regular season.
The Patriots signed Stefon Diggs, who gained 1,013 yards in the regular season, to help Maye.
Mike Evans, a potential target for the Patriots, has played his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Evans has been to the Pro Bowl six times and has significant career stats, including 13,052 yards and 108 touchdowns.
Evans missed several games last season due to injuries but played well in the games he participated in.
There's speculation Evans might not re-sign with the Buccaneers and could become a free agent.
Adding Evans to the Patriots could bolster their offense for another strong playoff run.
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Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are set to face off in the Australian Open final. Both players are known for their strong serving and powerful hitting on the tennis court. The match will take place at Rod Laver Arena.
Key Facts
Aryna Sabalenka is the world number one tennis player.
Elena Rybakina is the fifth seed at the Australian Open.
Sabalenka leads their head-to-head record with eight wins to six losses.
The final match will occur at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
Sabalenka has won two Grand Slam singles titles in Melbourne previously.
Rybakina won the Wimbledon title in 2022.
This final will be Rybakina's first Grand Slam final since losing to Sabalenka three years ago.
Sabalenka has reached her seventh consecutive final at a hard-court major.
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Wrestler Carmelo Hayes will defend his WWE United States Championship against Rey Fenix on an upcoming episode of "SmackDown" just before the "Royal Rumble 2026". This will be Hayes' fifth defense of the title since he won it in late 2025.
Key Facts
Carmelo Hayes is the current WWE United States Champion.
Hayes will face Rey Fenix in a title match on "SmackDown" before the "Royal Rumble 2026".
This is Hayes' fifth title defense.
Hayes has previously defended his title against Johnny Gargano, Shinsuke Nakamura, Leon Slater, and Ilja Dragunov.
Hayes was promoted to WWE’s main roster during the 2024 WWE Draft.
Rey Fenix will attempt to win his first main roster singles title.
The professional wrestling community highly rates both Fenix and Hayes.
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Newcastle will face Qarabag in a two-legged play-off for a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League. The first matches will occur on February 17-18, 2026, with the return games a week later. Qarabag has never beaten a Premier League team in previous matches.
Key Facts
Newcastle will play Qarabag in the Champions League play-offs.
The play-offs determine who reaches the last 16, featuring teams placed 9th to 24th.
Newcastle recently drew 1-1 with Paris St-Germain.
Qarabag finished 22nd in the league phase.
The first legs of the play-offs are on February 17-18, 2026.
The second legs will be played one week after the first.
Qarabag drew 2-2 with Chelsea, marking their best result against an English team.
The 2025-26 Champions League final will be held at Puskas Arena in Budapest.
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A study by Cloudwards has identified the top 10 U.S. cities for watching the Super Bowl, based on factors like local football culture, social settings, and food and streaming options. The cities vary in their mix of strengths, such as strong fan culture, bar availability, and internet quality. Atlanta, Georgia, ranks as the top city due to its robust football culture and numerous sports bars.
Key Facts
Cloudwards conducted a study to find the best U.S. cities to watch the Super Bowl.
The study considered football culture, social settings, food access, and streaming quality.
Atlanta, Georgia, ranked first, praised for its strong football culture and sports bars.
Glendale, Arizona, known for hosting Super Bowls, ranked second.
New Orleans, Louisiana, is highlighted for its nightlife and bar scene.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is known for its strong local football identity.
Tampa, Florida, benefits from recent Buccaneers' success.
Internet speed varied, with Arlington, Texas, having one of the best infrastructures.
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Amedspor FC, a football club in Turkey's Kurdish-majority region, received a fine from the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for "ideological propaganda" supporting Kurdish forces in Syria. The fine was 802,500 Turkish lira (about $18,500), and the club president got a 15-day ban from football activities. The punishment was linked to a social media post featuring a Kurdish slogan.
Key Facts
Amedspor FC is a Kurdish football team based in Diyarbakir, Turkey.
The club was fined about $18,500 by the TFF for making propaganda supporting Kurdish forces.
The club's president received a 15-day suspension from football activities.
The issue involved a 20-second video clip on social media using a Kurdish slogan.
The Kurdish slogan in the video means "Woman, life, freedom" in English.
Hair braiding has become symbolic support for Syrian Kurds amid regional conflicts.
Amedspor FC is at the top of Turkey's second division and could move to the top league for the first time.
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Lindsey Vonn crashed during a downhill ski race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, just a week before the opening of the 2026 Winter Olympics. She was airlifted from the course for medical checks after losing control and landing in the safety nets. The crash happened in difficult conditions, and Vonn's participation in the upcoming Olympics is uncertain.
Key Facts
Lindsey Vonn is a 41-year-old U.S. ski star who crashed in a World Cup race.
The fall happened in Crans-Montana in Switzerland during a downhill race.
Vonn was airlifted to get medical checks after the crash.
The race was canceled after Vonn's crash.
Vonn used her poles to steady herself after receiving medical help.
She was expected to be a major competitor in the upcoming Winter Olympics.
The crash took place in tough conditions with low visibility.
Vonn's first Olympic race is scheduled for February 8.
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The Cleveland Browns appointed Todd Monken as their new head coach. His initial interaction with rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders caused a stir among NFL fans due to a comment Monken made about wanting to draft Sanders previously. Fans expressed mixed reactions to Monken's remarks.
Key Facts
Todd Monken was hired as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, marking his first head coaching role in the NFL.
Monken was previously the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.
In a meeting with rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Monken joked about wanting to draft him when he worked for the Ravens.
Fans reacted with skepticism and criticism, noting that the Ravens passed on drafting Sanders multiple times.
The Browns have two first-round picks in the upcoming NFL draft and several options at quarterback, including veterans and rookies.
Shedeur Sanders was selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Browns, not the Ravens.
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The Atlanta Braves are not likely to keep Marcell Ozuna for the upcoming season. Joel Reuter from Bleacher Report suggests that Ozuna might sign a short-term deal with the Minnesota Twins.
Key Facts
Marcell Ozuna is a three-time All-Star baseball player.
He is entering his 14th season in Major League Baseball.
Last season, Ozuna hit 21 home runs with a batting average of .232.
The Minnesota Twins are predicted to possibly sign Ozuna as a free agent.
The Twins might consider trading Ozuna during the season if they sign him.
Target Field, the Twins' home stadium, is good for right-handed hitters like Ozuna.
Ozuna is currently 35 years old.
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The New York Yankees decided not to sign Bo Bichette and instead chose Cody Bellinger. They believed Bichette didn't fit well into their roster due to defensive concerns and existing player commitments.
Key Facts
The Yankees signed Cody Bellinger to a five-year, $162.5 million contract.
Bo Bichette signed a three-year, $126 million deal with the New York Mets.
Bichette played shortstop for the Toronto Blue Jays but faced criticism for his defense.
The Yankees did not see Bichette as a good fit for their team.
Bichette is expected to play third base for the Mets due to defensive challenges at shortstop.
The Yankees felt committed to Ryan McMahon, who already plays in Bichette's potential position.
Anthony Volpe, despite a poor offensive record, remains favored by the Yankees for his potential as a defender at shortstop.
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Stephen Jones, a 28-year-old pitcher, has left the San Diego Padres and signed a new deal with the Miami Marlins. Jones previously played in minor leagues but hopes to reach the major leagues with this new opportunity.
Key Facts
Stephen Jones signed a minor-league deal with the Miami Marlins.
He also received a non-roster invitation to spring training in Florida.
Jones joined the Padres in January last year after being released by the Colorado Rockies.
He performed well in Double-A with a 3.64 ERA and 49 strikeouts over 54 1/3 innings.
Jones struggled in Triple-A, with an ERA over 13, leading to his release by the Rockies.
The Miami Marlins are in a rebuilding phase, increasing Jones' chances to possibly join the big leagues.
Jones was originally drafted by the Rockies in the 21st round out of Samford in 2019.
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Brian Flores, the Minnesota Vikings' defensive coordinator, is reportedly interested in selecting a pass rusher in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. This decision contrasts with many NFL analysts who expected the Vikings to choose a cornerback. The team had a strong pass rush last season.
Key Facts
Brian Flores re-signed as the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings on January 21.
He reportedly wants the team to draft a pass rusher in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Analysts expected the Vikings to choose a cornerback instead.
The Vikings had the fourth-most sacks in the NFL during the 2025 season, with 49 total sacks.
Andrew Van Ginkel, who recorded seven sacks last season, is in the final year of his contract.
Dallas Turner, a first-round pick in 2024, led the Vikings with eight sacks in 2025.
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