Don’t miss this massive T20 cricket celebration. After 18 years of heartbreak and near misses, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are finally IPL champions, and they’re taking the party to the streets. The team’s victory parade in Bengaluru kicks off today and will be broadcast live on Star Sports and Jio Hotstar, giving fans everywhere a front-row seat to the city’s biggest cricket celebration.
The parade will begin from Vidhana Soudha at 2pm UAE time and wind its way through cheering crowds before culminating at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB’s home turf. The celebration is expected to draw massive crowds, with fans already lining the streets hours before the procession.
RCB’s message to fans on social media captured the emotional high of the win:
“This one’s for you, 12th Man Army. For every cheer, every tear, every year. Loyalty is Royalty — and today, the crown is yours.”
Led by Rajat Patidar, the underdog skipper who turned hero, RCB outclassed Punjab Kings in a dramatic IPL 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. A gritty 43 from Virat Kohli powered the team to 190/9, a total that proved too much for Punjab, despite a promising bowling effort.
For Kohli, this was more than a trophy, it was the realisation of a lifelong dream. In a post-match chat, the former captain said,
“I always dreamt of winning it with this team. I’ve never seen loyalty like the one our fans have shown. That’s why this is so special. I’ll play with RCB till the end.”
An emotional Kohli also reflected on what it means to finally bring the trophy home to Bengaluru after 18 seasons.
“Someone sent me a video, the entire city is filled with fireworks. The whole city. It’s very special. I can’t express my feelings. I have to experience it.”
He also extended a personal invitation to former teammates AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle to join the victory parade and be part of the celebration.
RCB fans, famously known as the “12th Man Army,” have waited nearly two decades for this moment. With previous heartbreaks in 2009, 2011, and 2016 finals, the 2025 win marks a glorious end to the team’s title drought.
As the drums beat and fireworks light up the Bengaluru sky, one thing is certain, this is a victory parade the city, and its loyal fans, will never forget.
With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.
Football fans travelling with Emirates this summer won’t have to worry about missing any FIFA World Cup 2026 action. Dubai’s flagship airline Emirates, has announced that it will broadcast every match of the tournament live onboard its flights through Sport24, its dedicated live sports channel available on the award-winning ice entertainment system.
Passengers will be able to follow every moment of the world’s biggest football tournament while flying at 40,000 feet. The move ensures customers can stay connected to the action no matter where they are travelling, with live coverage available throughout the competition.
Emirates said the complete FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast schedule is featured its ice magazine, allowing passengers to plan their journeys around key fixtures and follow their favourite teams during the tournament.
The live coverage will be available on most Emirates aircraft equipped with Sport24 and Sport24 Extra, although availability may vary depending on aircraft type and route. Selected FIFA World Cup matches will also be shown in Emirates Lounges across Dubai, giving travellers additional opportunities to catch the action before departure.
Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca was transformed into a global stage on Thursday Night as the FIFA World Cup 2026 officially got underway, marking the beginning of the biggest edition in the tournament’s history.
A vibrant opening ceremony showcased a blend of Mexican culture, music and modern spectacle, with performances from international stars including Shakira and Burna Boy. The ceremony was designed to reflect both the heritage of the host nation and the global nature of the tournament, which for the first time will be staged across three countries — Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Before the first whistle of the competition, the atmosphere inside the historic stadium reached a crescendo as thousands of fans filled the stands, waving flags and lighting up the arena in a sea of colour. The Estadio Azteca, already steeped in football history, has now become the first venue in the world to host matches across three separate FIFA World Cups, having previously staged the 1970 and 1986 finals.
In a further highlight of the ceremony, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performed the tournament’s official anthem, adding a classical flourish to an evening otherwise defined by high-energy performances and large-scale choreography.
FIFA officials described the opening event as a “symbolic bridge between continents”, underlining the expanded format of the 2026 tournament. For the first time, the World Cup will feature 48 teams — up from 32 — and a total of 104 matches, spread across 16 host cities across North America. The expansion is intended to increase global participation and bring the tournament to a wider range of supporters.
Immediately after the ceremony, hosts Mexico faced South Africa in the tournament’s opening match, kicking off what is expected to be a month-long football spectacle. The match began under heavy security and heightened global attention, with millions watching around the world.
The expanded format has also brought logistical challenges, with teams required to travel across vast distances between venues in multiple countries. Organisers have emphasised investments in transport infrastructure, stadium upgrades and sustainability measures aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of the tournament.
The 2026 edition also arrives at a time when football’s global profile continues to grow rapidly, with record broadcast deals, increased digital streaming access and heightened commercial interest from sponsors. Analysts expect the tournament to break previous viewership records, particularly given its tri-nation hosting model and expanded team lineup.
Estadio Azteca itself remains one of football’s most storied venues. It famously hosted Brazil’s Pelé lifting the trophy in 1970 and Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” performances in 1986. Its role in opening the 2026 tournament has been widely seen as a nod to football’s rich history in Mexico, while also signalling a new era for the sport.
As fireworks lit up the Mexico City skyline following the ceremony, attention now turns to the next phase of the tournament’s opening schedule, with matches set to continue across North America in what promises to be the most geographically expansive World Cup ever staged.
For fans, players and organisers alike, the message from Mexico City was clear: the world’s biggest sporting event has begun, and it is set to be bigger, broader and more ambitious than ever before.
Emirati International Arbiter Abdullah Murad Al Mazmi has been appointed to the officiating panel for the 2026 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships, one of the biggest events on the global chess calendar.
The championship will take place in Hong Kong from June 16 to 22 and is expected to feature many of the world’s leading grandmasters, including world number one Magnus Carlsen.
Al Mazmi’s selection highlights the growing international recognition of Emirati chess officials. He currently serves as Chairman of the Arab Chess Federation’s Arbiters Committee and Tournament Director of the prestigious Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship.
Speaking about the appointment, Al Mazmi said he was proud to represent the UAE at one of chess’s most prestigious global events. He described the selection as a reflection of FIDE’s confidence in Emirati arbiters and their ability to officiate at the highest international level.
He added that the role carries significant responsibility and offers a valuable opportunity to exchange expertise with some of the world’s top chess officials while showcasing the progress of UAE chess on the global stage.
The appointment marks another milestone for Emirati representation in international sports administration and reinforces the UAE’s growing presence in the world of chess.
News6 months ago
Entertainment5 months ago
News5 months ago