Still missing the FIFA men’s World Cup? We have the perfect mid-week pick-me-up: The second half of the NWSL season is almost here and while teams like the Washington Spirit and Utah Royals are rising to the top, there’s still plenty of footy to play before the eight-team playoff field is finalized this fall. Here’s the latest moves and matches from the pitch.

Any way you slice it, the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend (ASW) in Chicago was a true success, from impressive attendance at the game itself to the many brand activations and presidential pep talks. The event celebrated the power of women’s sports and showcased the profitability of the W. Reaching new heights.

The Group Chat popped off about all things WNBA All-Star Weekend, from the historic three-point contest to the most chaotic livestream in sports to the collection of ’fits that belong in the Louvre. Now, it’s back to reality as the second half of the season tips off tomorrow.

The Utah Talons are your 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) champions, defending their crown by sweeping the Chicago Bandits in this weekend’s best-of-three championship series.

For 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend (ASW), Delta rolled out a new activation that hits on a few key marketing notes to draw in their target demographic of young women. It involves exclusive membership, loyalty points, and free stuff — all things consumers love. We spoke with Emmakate Young, Delta’s managing director of sponsorships and partnership management, about the airline’s latest campaign and the wins it’s seen since its WNBA partnership has taken flight.

Whatever your priorities ahead of WNBA All-Star Weekend, one thing’s for sure: The league’s best are about to put on a show. Here’s the lowdown on all the hoops happenings.

Budget-friendly retailer T.J. Maxx has been stepping up its women’s sports sponsorship game in recent years, partnering with ESPN, Boston Legacy FC, and over 55 women athletes, coaches, and broadcasters. At this year’s ESPYs, it doubled down on visibility with one of its top athlete ambassadors: rugby star Ilona Maher.

Last week, the WNBPA announced a partnership with Forme, a unique sports apparel company with patented wearable tech that improves posture (just ask Taylor Swift). We spoke with WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson, and Forme founder Dr. Stephen Liu about the deal and the opportunities for medtech start-ups in sports.

WNBA All-Star Weekend is just two sleeps away — but first comes tonight’s six-game slate, where a certain superstar could make her season debut. As we near the season’s unofficial halfway point, here are our way-too-early picks for the league’s end-of-season awards. Nothing but net.

Just over five weeks and 104 games later, Spain are your 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup (WC) champions, winning the biggest-ever edition by defeating defending champion Argentina 1–0 in extra time yesterday. Here’s how it went down — vamos.

Argentinian captain Lionel Messi likely played his final WC game yesterday, and while the greatest men’s soccer player of all time hasn’t officially retired from the international scene yet, we’re commemorating the 39-year-old’s incredible career with a look at his WC appearances, by the numbers.

There’s just one match remaining in the biggest FIFA men’s World Cup (WC) in history, and boy is it a doozy. For the first time ever, the reigning champions of Europe and South America will meet in the WC Final, with Spain taking on defending WC champs Argentina today at 3 p.m. ET.