Football: Premier League

It’s as if it’s never been away… The Premier League is back this month and we’re straight into the thick of the action on Sky Sports. There are five live games over the opening weekend including Manchester City away at Chelsea – arguably last
season’s most and least predictable teams. Can new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, a protégé of City coach Pep Guardiola, mastermind a victory over his mentor? It would certainly shake things up early doors.

Other matches featuring potential title contenders include Aston Villa v Arsenal on 24 August and Man Utd v Liverpool on 1 September. Newcastle and Tottenham are both capable of a challenge if they can find the consistency that eluded them last season, and they meet at St James’s Park at the start of September. And could the likes of Crystal Palace or Bournemouth make a charge into the European places after serious improvement in 2023/24? We can feel it building – the thrilling anticipation that comes only with the start of the Premier League. Here we go.

Manchester United v Fulham

Friday 16 August, 6.30pm, Sky Sports Premier League/HD (CH 512/502)

West Ham United v Aston Villa

Saturday 17 August, 5pm, Sky Sports Premier League/HD (CH 512/502)

Brentford v Crystal Palace

Sunday 18 August, 1pm, Sky Sports Premier League/HD (CH 512/502)

Chelsea v Manchester City

Sunday 18 August, 4pm, Sky Sports Premier League/HD (CH 512/502)

Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur

Monday 19 August, 6.30pm, Sky Sports Premier League/HD (CH 512/502)

Aston Villa v Arsenal

Saturday 24 August, 5pm, Sky Sports Premier League/HD (CH 512/502)

Bournemouth v Newcastle United

Sunday 25 August, 1pm, Sky Sports Premier League/HD (CH 512/502)

Liverpool v Brentford

Sunday 25 August, 4pm, Sky Sports Premier League/HD (CH 512/502)

West Ham United v Manchester City

Saturday 31 August, 5pm, Sky Sports Premier League/HD (CH 512/502)

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur

Sunday 1 September, 12.30pm, Sky Sports Premier League/HD (CH 512/502)

Manchester United v Liverpool

Sunday 1 September, 3.30pm, Sky Sports Premier League/HD (CH 512/502)

Football: Scottish Premiership

They may have won 12 of the past 13 titles but Celtic are not about to start resting on their laurels, and they’ll be aiming to hit the ground running this season. You can check on their early progress on Sky Sports with live away games at Hibs and St Mirren. Neither team got any joy against the Bhoys last term, losing every time they faced them, but a new campaign brings new hope. St Mirren in particular have raided the EFL for some smart signings, and boss Stephen Robinson will aim to give the champions a scare.

The first Old Firm game of the new season comes on 1 September, and after Rangers improved significantly following the appointment of Phlippe Clement midway through last season, the blue half of Glasgow will expect the title race to be closer in 2024/25. They’ve made some intriguing signings, including Brazilian left back Jefté, and secured Ivory Coast midfielder Mohamed Diomande on a permanent deal after a successful loan. They’ll have to get past new Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel, who brings masses of top-flight experience to the team.

Hibernian v Celtic

Sunday 11 August, 11.30am, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

St Mirren v Celtic

Sunday 25 August, 11am, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Celtic v Rangers

Sunday 1 September, 11.30am, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Football: EFL Championship

Sky Sports’ coverage of the EFL is hugely expanded this season with the advent of Sky Sports+, available to all Sky Sports subscribers at no extra cost. Fans of Championship teams will see their club featured at least 20 times during the season, and from day one there’s a packed schedule of live matches.

The big question is: can Leeds do it this season? Despite a talented squad and some periods of blistering form in 2023/24, they’re still in the second tier, and patience with coach Daniel Farke isn’t infinite – from board or fans. They kick off against fellow promotion hopefuls West Brom. Coventry City had the nation’s sympathy last season after the narrowest of FA Cup semi-final defeats but Mark Robins and co would no doubt prefer a sustained challenge in the Championship. And of course the relegated teams – Burnley, Luton and Sheffield United – will be among the strongest squads. It’s all to play for, and you can see it all play out live on Sky Sports. For more about Sky Sports+ click here.

Blackburn Rovers v Derby County

Friday 9 August, 7pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Preston North End v Sheffield United

Friday 9 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+/HD (CH 518/508)

Oxford United v Norwich City

Saturday 10 August, 11am, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Cardiff City v Sunderland

Saturday 10 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Hull City v Bristol City

Saturday 10 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Leeds United v Portsmouth

Saturday 10 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Middlesbrough v Swansea City

Saturday 10 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Millwall v Watford

Saturday 10 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Queens Park Rangers v West Bromwich Albion

Saturday 10 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Stoke City v Coventry City

Saturday 10 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Sheffield Wednesday v Plymouth Argyle

Sunday 11 August, 3.15pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Luton Town v Burnley

Monday 12 August, 7pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Coventry City v Oxford United

Friday 16 August, 3.15pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

West Bromwich Albion v Leeds United

Saturday 17 August, 11am, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Derby County v Middlesbrough

Saturday 17 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Portsmouth v Luton Town

Saturday 17 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Sunderland v Sheffield Wednesday

Sunday 18 August, 11.30am, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United

Friday 23 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Queens Park Rangers v Plymouth Argyle

Saturday 24 August, 11am, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Bristol City v Coventry City

Saturday 24 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Hull City v Millwall

Saturday 24 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Swansea City v Cardiff City

Sunday 25 August, 2.30pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Luton Town v Queens Park Rangers

Friday 30 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Burnley v Blackburn Rovers

Saturday 31 August, 11am, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Cardiff City v Middlesbrough

Saturday 31 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Coventry City v Norwich City

Saturday 31 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Sheffield United v Watford

Sunday 1 September, 2.30pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Football: EFL League One

League One fans will also benefit from Sky Sports’ greater live coverage. The division is full of big clubs who we’re sure were in the Premier League about five minutes ago – Birmingham, Bolton, Reading, Wigan – but there’s little doubt about which team will be attracting the most attention. After successive promotions, Wrexham are back at this level for the first time in almost two decades, and their celebrity owners have made no secret of their ambition to climb even higher.

Those who’ve watched the documentary series Welcome To Wrexham will be familiar with keeper Arthur Okonkwo, now signed on a permanent deal, and the club have brought in more players with experience higher up the league including defender Lewis Brunt from Leicester. Can they make a serious challenge? Well, manager Phil Parkinson has won promotion from League One twice before, with Colchester and Bolton. They start their campaign at home to Wycombe on Sky Sports+.

Barnsley v Mansfield Town

Friday 9 August, 8pm, Sky Sports+

Birmingham City v Reading

Saturday 10 August, 5.15pm, Sky Sports+

Bristol Rovers v Northampton Town

Saturday 10 August, 5.30pm, Sky Sports+

Burton Albion v Lincoln City

Saturday 10 August, 5.30pm, Sky Sports+

Crawley Town v Blackpool

Saturday 10 August, 5.30pm, Sky Sports+

Exeter City v Rotherham United

Saturday 10 August, 5.30pm, Sky Sports+

Leyton Orient v Bolton Wanderers

Saturday 10 August, 5.30pm, Sky Sports+

Peterborough United v Huddersfield Town

Saturday 10 August, 5.30pm, Sky Sports+

Stevenage v Shrewsbury Town

Saturday 10 August, 5.30pm, Sky Sports+

Stockport County v Cambridge United

Saturday 10 August, 5.30pm, Sky Sports+

Wigan Athletic v Charlton Athletic

Saturday 10 August, 5.30pm, Sky Sports+

Wrexham v Wycombe Wanderers

Saturday 10 August, 5.30pm, Sky Sports+

Charlton Athletic v Leyton Orient

Saturday 17 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Shrewsbury Town v Peterborough United

Saturday 17 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Bolton Wanderers v Wrexham

Sunday 18 August, 2.45pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Burton Albion v Stevenage

Saturday 24 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Stockport County v Bristol Rovers

Saturday 24 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Blackpool v Wycombe Wanderers

Saturday 31 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Rotherham United v Huddersfield Town

Saturday 31 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Burton Albion v Crawley Town

Saturday 7 September, 12pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Football: EFL League Two

Sky Sports has much more coverage of League Two than ever before as well, thanks to the new Sky Sports+ service. The first team to feature are promoted Chesterfield, who will be hoping to “do a Wrexham” and continue their upward trajectory after six years outside the EFL. They face Swindon on 9 August, and then the rest of the first round of matches are live on Sky Sports too, including new boys Bromley at Harrogate and defeated play-off finalists Crewe away to Barrow. Doncaster, who put together an incredible run at the end of last season to go from 20th in March to a play-off place, will start at home to Accrington as they look to continue that form.

Chesterfield v Swindon Town

Friday 9 August, 8pm, Sky Sports+

Milton Keynes Dons v Bradford City

Saturday 10 August, 2.45pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

AFC Wimbledon v Colchester United

Saturday 10 August, 3pm, Sky Sports+

Barrow v Crewe Alexandra

Saturday 10 August, 3pm, Sky Sports+

Cheltenham Town v Newport County

Saturday 10 August, 3pm, Sky Sports+

Doncaster Rovers v Accrington Stanley

Saturday 10 August, 3pm, Sky Sports+

Fleetwood Town v Grimsby Town

Saturday 10 August, 3pm, Sky Sports+

Gillingham v Carlisle United

Saturday 10 August, 3pm, Sky Sports+

Harrogate Town v Bromley

Saturday 10 August, 3pm, Sky Sports+

Salford City v Port Vale

Saturday 10 August, 3pm, Sky Sports+

Tranmere Rovers v Notts County

Saturday 10 August, 3pm, Sky Sports+

Walsall v Morecambe

Saturday 10 August, 3pm, Sky Sports+

Bromley v AFC Wimbledon

Saturday 17 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Carlisle United v Barrow

Saturday 17 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Notts County v Grimsby Town

Thursday 22 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Crewe Alexandra v Swindon Town

Saturday 24 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Tranmere Rovers v Walsall

Saturday 24 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Gillingham v Chesterfield

Saturday 31 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Port Vale v Doncaster Rovers

Saturday 31 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports+

Salford City v Milton Keynes Dons

Monday 2 September, 7.30pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Football: EFL Cup

It’s Wrexham again. After their memorable FA Cup exploits in 2022/23, when they lost to Sheffield United in a replay after a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Racecourse Ground, they’ve drawn the Blades in the EFL Cup (aka Carabao Cup) this term. But there are plenty of interesting ties, including a local derby between two newly promoted teams as Derby host Chesterfield, an all-Yorkshire clash between Sheffield Wednesday and Hull, and a meeting of two of the best-supported sides in the Championship as Middlesbrough visit Leeds.

Every game of the EFL Cup this season is live on Sky Sports with Sky Sports+, so you can choose whichever match you want, or flick between them to catch the best of the action. The second round is on 27 and 28 August so keep an eye out for the draw.

Sheffield United v Wrexham

Tuesday 13 August, 7pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Preston North End v Sunderland

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+/HD (CH 518/508)

Carlisle United v Stoke City

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Leyton Orient v Newport County

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Stockport County v Blackburn Rovers

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Barrow v Port Vale

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Bolton Wanderers v Mansfield Town

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Bristol City v Coventry City

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Bromley v AFC Wimbledon

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Burton Albion v Blackpool

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Cambridge United v Queens Park Rangers

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Cardiff City v Bristol Rovers

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Charlton Athletic v Birmingham City

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Colchester United v Reading

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Crawley Town v Swindon Town

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Derby County v Chesterfield

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Fleetwood Town v West Bromwich Albion

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Grimsby Town v Bradford City

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Huddersfield Town v Morecambe

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Lincoln City v Harrogate Town

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Northampton Town v Wycombe Wanderers

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Norwich City v Stevenage

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Oxford United v Peterborough United

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Portsmouth v Millwall

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Rotherham United v Crewe Alexandra

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Salford City v Doncaster Rovers

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Shrewsbury Town v Notts County

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Swansea City v Gillingham

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Tranmere Rovers v Accrington Stanley

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Walsall v Exeter City

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Watford v Milton Keynes Dons

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Wigan Athletic v Barnsley

Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Leeds United v Middlesbrough

Wednesday 14 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Hull City v Sheffield Wednesday

Wednesday 14 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+/HD (CH 518/508)

Plymouth Argyle v Cheltenham Town

Wednesday 14 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Football: Bundesliga

The shockwaves are still reverberating around Bavaria as for the first time in 12 years, Bayern failed to win the Bundesliga title – despite adding the firepower of Harry Kane, who scored 36 goals in 32 league matches. They’ll be extra determined to return to the peak as soon as possible, and have shown their ambition by splashing over €100 million on two of the Premier League’s most eye-catching performers: Michael Olise from Crystal Palace and João Palhinha from Fulham.

The good news for Bayer Leverkusen as they look to build on their title win is that they’ve held on to all their key players – at the time of writing, anyway – as well as talismanic coach Xabi Alonso, who’s committed to the club for at least another year. They’ll kick off the new season away at Mönchengladbach, who flirted alarmingly with relegation last term. You can see promoted St Pauli, the cult club playing their first Bundesliga season in 13 years, away to Union Berlin on 30 August.

Borussia Mönchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen

Friday 23 August, 7.20pm, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt

Saturday 24 August, 5.20pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Wolfsburg v Bayern Munich

Sunday 25 August, 2.20pm, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

St Pauli v Heidenheim

Sunday 25 August, 4.20pm, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

Union Berlin v St Pauli

Friday 30 August, 7.20pm, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

Bayer Leverkusen v RB Leipzig

Saturday 31 August, 5.20pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)

Heidenheim v Augsburg

Sunday 1 September, 2.20pm, Sky Sports+

Bayern Munich v Freiburg

Sunday 1 September, 4.20pm, Sky Sports+

Tennis

The tours head for North America this month, with hard-court tournaments in Montréal, Toronto, Cincinnati, North Carolina and Monterrey, Mexico, ahead of the big one – the US Open, which begins on 26 August. Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff will be defending their singles titles after mixed fortunes at the Olympic Games but perhaps the most scrutiny will be on two players who didn’t go to Paris 2024.

Men’s world number one Jannik Sinner took time off after his Wimbledon quarter-final defeat and will be hungry to add this Grand Slam title to the Australian Open he won in January. Emma Raducanu skipped both Wimbledon and Paris to focus on getting back in shape for the tournament she won in 2021. The British player is rising up the rankings following some successes over the summer – could she make an impact at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center? Tune in to Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+ to find out.

ATP: Montréal Open

Monday 6 to Sunday 12 August, Sky Sports Tennis/HD (CH 537/520)

WTA: Toronto Open

Monday 6 to Sunday 12 August, Sky Sports Tennis/HD (CH 537/520)

ATP/WTA: Cincinnati Open

Sunday 12 to Sunday 19 August, Sky Sports Tennis/HD (CH 537/520)

ATP: Winston-Salem Open

Saturday 18 to Saturday 24 August, Sky Sports Tennis/HD (CH 537/520)

WTA: Monterrey Open

Sunday 19 to Saturday 24 August, Sky Sports Tennis/HD (CH 537/520)

US Open

Bank Holiday Monday to Sunday 8 September, Sky Sports Tennis/HD (CH 537/520)

Cricket: Men’s Internationals

Sri Lanka are in England this month to play their first Test matches in the UK since 2016. They’re not exactly an unknown quantity, sitting two places above England in the World Test Championship table. But in the period covered they’ve played just four Tests to England’s 13, and while captain Dhananjaya De Silva is an experienced Test batsman, he has only a handful of games as skipper under his belt.

England dominated the West Indies for all but a couple of sessions in their three-test series earlier this summer, but the Sri Lankans should provide more of a challenge. New strike bowler Gus Atkinson will look to continue his success in the matches at Old Trafford, Lord’s and the Oval. In September, the Australians arrive for T20 and ODI matches.

England v Sri Lanka: 1st Test

From Wednesday 21 August, 10am, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

England v Sri Lanka: 2nd Test

From Thursday 29 August, 10am, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

England v Sri Lanka: 3rd Test

From Friday 6 September, 10am, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

England v Australia: 1st T20

Wednesday 11 September, 6pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Cricket: The Hundred

Both the Oval Invincibles teams began the Hundred season as if they were determined to live up to their nickname. Inspired by Aussie spinner Adam Zampa, the men’s side saw off Birmingham Phoenix at home and Welsh Fire away, while Paige Scholfield and Alice Capsey starred with the bat in convincing wins over the same opponents. They’ve both been champions before – the women’s team twice, the men’s last year – and the rest of the squads are going to have a job to stop them in 2024. There’s fast-paced, six-smashing action from the Hundred on Sky Sports every day until 15 August, with the finals on 18 August.

Women: Trent Rockets v London Spirit

Wednesday 7 August, 3pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Men: Trent Rockets v London Spirit

Wednesday 7 August, 6.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Women: Welsh Fire v Northern Superchargers

Thursday 8 August, 11am, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Men: Welsh Fire v Northern Superchargers

Thursday 8 August, 2.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Women: Oval Invincibles v Southern Brave

Thursday 8 August, 2.30pm, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

Men: Oval Invincibles v Southern Brave

Thursday 8 August, 6pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Women: London Spirit v Manchester Originals

Friday 9 August, 2.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Men: London Spirit v Manchester Originals

Friday 9 August, 6pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Women: Southern Brave v Trent Rockets

Saturday 10 August, 10.30am, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Men: Southern Brave v Trent Rockets

Saturday 10 August, 2pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Women: Welsh Fire v Birmingham Phoenix

Saturday 10 August, 2pm, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

Men: Welsh Fire v Birmingham Phoenix

Saturday 10 August, 6pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Women: Oval Invincibles v London Spirit

Sunday 11 August, 10.30am, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Men: Oval Invincibles v London Spirit

Sunday 11 August, 2.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Women: Manchester Originals v Northern Superchargers

Sunday 11 August, 2.30pm, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

Men: Manchester Originals v Northern Superchargers

Sunday 11 August, 5.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Women: Birmingham Phoenix v Trent Rockets

Monday 12 August, 2.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Men: Birmingham Phoenix v Trent Rockets

Monday 12 August, 6pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Women: Northern Superchargers v London Spirit

Tuesday 13 August, 3pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Men: Northern Superchargers v London Spirit

Tuesday 13 August, 6pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Women: Southern Brave v Welsh Fire

Wednesday 14 August, 11.30am, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Men: Southern Brave v Welsh Fire

Wednesday 14 August, 2.15pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Women: Trent Rockets v Oval Invincibles

Wednesday 14 August, 3pm, Sky Sports Mix

Men: Trent Rockets v Oval Invincibles

Wednesday 14 August, 6pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Women: Birmingham Phoenix v Manchester Originals

Thursday 15 August, 3pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Men: Birmingham Phoenix v Manchester Originals

Thursday 15 August, 6pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Women: Eliminator

Saturday 17 August, 1.45pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Men: Eliminator

Saturday 17 August, 5.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Women: Final

Sunday 18 August, 1.45pm, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

Men: Final

Sunday 18 August, 5.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Cricket: T20 Blast

September brings the return of the T20 Blast and it really is a quickfire blast of matches, with the quarter-finals taking place over a single week and the finals the following Saturday. Somerset, the defending champions, face a trip to Northampton to face a Steelbacks side who won their final three games in the North Group and will aim to continue that form. There hasn’t been a Blast winner from the North group since 2020 and Northants will be keen to put their name on the trophy, which they last won in 2016. Surrey are the bookies’ favourites, but curiously – despite their wealth and domestic success in other competitions – have not won this tournament since its first staging in 2003.

Quarter-final: Surrey v Durham

Tuesday 3 September, 5.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Quarter-final: Sussex Sharks v Lancashire Lightning

Wednesday 4 September, 6.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Quarter-final: Northamptonshire Steelbacks v Somerset

Thursday 5 September, 6pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Quarter-final: Birmingham Bears v Gloucestershire

Friday 6 September, 6.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Semi-final 1

Saturday 14 September, 10.30am, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Semi-final 2

Saturday 14 September, 2.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Final

Saturday 14 September, 6pm, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Motorsport: Formula One

Strange things are afoot in Formula One. We’d got used to Max Verstappen victory after Max Verstappen victory, so it was a shock to see that end. But the last two races have thrown up all sorts of odd occurrences. In Hungary, McLaren’s Lando Norris was leading as the chequered flag beckoned, only to grudgingly give way on team orders to his team-mate Oscar Piastri, who scored his first Grand Prix win. Then in Belgium, George Russell crossed the finish line first for what he thought was his second win of the season only to be disqualified thanks to an underweight car, with the win handed to Lewis Hamilton. Absolute, as they say, scenes.

This rash of non-Verstappen race winners hasn’t obscured the fact that the Dutchman still has a healthy lead at the top of the drivers’ standings, but his Red Bull clearly isn’t as reliable as it’s been. He was relegated 10 places down the grid in Belgium because the team elected to take a fifth different engine following problems, which exceeded the prescribed limit. Verstappen is still the favourite – but his travails will give his rivals hope as they head for Zandvoort and Monza.

Dutch Grand Prix: Practice 1

Friday 23 August, 11.30am, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

Dutch Grand Prix: Practice 2

Friday 23 August, 3pm, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

Dutch Grand Prix: Practice 3

Saturday 24 August, 10.30am, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

Dutch Grand Prix: Qualifying

Saturday 24 August, 2pm, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

Dutch Grand Prix: Race

Sunday 25 August, 1pm, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

Italian Grand Prix: Practice 1

Friday 30 August, 12.30pm, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

Italian Grand Prix: Practice 2

Friday 30 August, 4pm, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

Italian Grand Prix: Practice 3

Saturday 31 August, 11.30am, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

Italian Grand Prix: Qualifying

Saturday 31 August, 3pm, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

Italian Grand Prix: Race

Sunday 1 September, 1pm, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

Motorsport: IndyCar

Defending champ Álex Palou is leading the IndyCar driver standings but with five rounds of the championship to go, he’s not out of reach of the chasing pack – and he hasn’t won any of the last four races. The Antipodean pair of Will Power, who beat Palou into second place at the Iowa Speedway, and Scott Dixon are doing their best to breathe down the Spanish driver’s neck but they’ll need to put big points on the board quickly, starting in Illinois. There could be fireworks in the final few races.

IndyCar Bommarito Automotive Group 500 – Practice 1

Friday 16 August, 11pm, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

IndyCar Bommarito Automotive Group 500 – Practice 2

Saturday 17 August, 4.45pm, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

IndyCar Bommarito Automotive Group 500 – Qualifying

Saturday 17 August, 8.05pm, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

IndyCar Bommarito Automotive Group 500 – Race

Saturday 17 August, 11pm, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

IndyCar Grand Prix Of Portland – Qualifying

Saturday 24 August, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

IndyCar Grand Prix Of Portland – Race

Sunday 25 August, 8pm, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

IndyCar Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250 – Practice

Friday 30 August, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

IndyCar Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250 – Qualifying

Saturday 31 August, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

IndyCar Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250 – Race 1

Saturday 31 August, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

IndyCar Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250 – Race 2

Sunday 1 September, Sky Sports F1®/HD (CH 516/506)

Golf

The men’s majors and the Olympic medals are done and dusted, which just leaves one major championship: the Women’s Open, which takes place on the Old Course at St Andrews at the end of August. Last year’s winner Lilia Vu will be among the favourites again, while you certainly wouldn’t rule out world number one Nelly Korda and Australia’s in-form Hannah Green. But could it be time for a British winner of this tournament for the first time since Georgia Hall in 2018? Charley Hull was runner-up last year and has a solid record in this year’s majors. It could be her time.

Preceding this huge competition is the Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire, while there’s plenty of action from the men’s tours too, including the PGA’s Tour Championship from East Lake club in Georgia and the British Masters at the Belfry.

PGA Tour: Wyndham Championship

From Thursday 8 August, 11.45am, Sky Sports Golf/HD (CH 515/505)

European Tour: Czech Masters

From Thursday 15 August, 12pm, Sky Sports Golf/HD (CH 515/505)

Women’s Scottish Open

From Thursday 15 August, 3pm, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

PGA Tour: St Jude Championship

From Thursday 15 August, 5pm, Sky Sports Golf/HD (CH 515/505)

Women’s Open Championship

From Thursday 22 August, 12pm, Sky Sports Golf/HD (CH 515/505)

European Tour: Danish Championship

From Thursday 22 August, 12pm, Sky Sports+/HD (CH 518/508)

PGA Tour: BMW Championship

From Thursday 22 August, 7pm, Sky Sports Golf/HD (CH 515/505)

European Tour: British Masters

From Thursday 29 August, 1pm, Sky Sports Golf/HD (CH 515/505)

PGA Tour: Tour Championship

From Thursday 29 August, 6.30pm, Sky Sports Golf/HD (CH 515/505)

European Tour: European Masters

From Thursday 5 September, 12.30pm, Sky Sports Golf/HD (CH 515/505)

Rugby League: Super League XXIX

There’s magic in the air… Yep, it’s time for Magic Weekend, that heaven on Earth for rugby league aficionados, when all 12 teams in the Super League play at the same venue over the course of two action-packed days. This year it’s the turn of Leeds’ Elland Road to host, and that means the Rhinos get a prime Saturday night slot to take on pace-setters Warrington Wolves, preceded by the always massive derby clash between St Helens and Wigan.

The league has been unpredictable this season, with no one able to dominate, the leading teams taking points off each other and the odd shock result like Leigh’s 46-4 thrashing of St Helens. The one thing we can be sure of is that London Broncos and Hull FC will be propping up the table. When they met in May, the Broncos scored their only win of the season so far. Can they repeat that win on Magic Weekend? Tune in to find out.

St Helens v Salford Red Devils

Thursday 8 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+/HD (CH 518/508)

Huddersfield Giants v Catalans Dragons

Friday 9 August, 7.30pm, Sky Sports+

Hull Kingston Rovers v Castleford Tigers

Friday 9 August, 7.55pm, Sky Sports+

Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors

Saturday 10 August, 2.55pm, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

London Broncos v Warrington Wolves

Sunday 11 August, 3pm, Sky Sports+

Leigh Leopards v Hull FC

Sunday 11 August, 3pm, Sky Sports+

Hull FC v London Broncos

Saturday 17 August, 2pm, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Wigan Warriors v St Helens

Saturday 17 August,4.30pm, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos

Saturday 17 August, 7.55pm, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Leigh Leopards v Salford Red Devils

Sunday 18 August, 1pm, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Catalans Dragons v Hull Kingston Rovers

Sunday 18 August, 3.30pm, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Huddersfield Giants v Castleford Tigers

Sunday 18 August, 6pm, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Castleford Tigers v Warrington Wolves

Friday 23 August, 8pm, Sky Sports

Leeds Rhinos v Catalans Dragons

Friday 23 August, 8pm, Sky Sports+/HD (CH 518/508)

St Helens v Hull Kingston Rovers

Friday 23 August, 8pm, Sky Sports+

Salford Red Devils v Huddersfield Giants

Saturday 24 August, 2pm, Sky Sports

London Broncos v Leigh Leopards

Sunday 25 August, 3pm, Sky Sports

Wigan Warriors v Hull FC

Sunday 25 August, 3pm, Sky Sports

Hull Kingston Rovers v Salford Red Devils

Friday 30 August, 8pm, Sky Sports

Leigh Leopards v Warrington Wolves

Friday 30 August, 8pm, Sky Sports

Hull FC v Castleford Tigers

Saturday 31 August, 3pm, Sky Sports

Catalans Dragons v Wigan Warriors

Saturday 31 August, 8pm, Sky Sports

Huddersfield Giants v St Helens

Sunday 1 September, 3pm, Sky Sports

London Broncos v Leeds Rhinos

Sunday 1 September, 3pm, Sky Sports

Castleford Tigers v Leigh Leopards

Friday 6 September, 8pm, Sky Sports

Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC

Friday 6 September, 8pm, Sky Sports

Warrington Wolves v St Helens

Friday 6 September, 8pm, Sky Sports

Wigan Warriors v Hull Kingston Rovers

Friday 6 September, 8pm, Sky Sports

Salford Red Devils v Catalans Dragons

Saturday 7 September, 6pm, Sky Sports

Huddersfield Giants v London Broncos

Sunday 8 September, 3pm, Sky Sports

Rugby League: NRL Men’s

Melbourne Storm, Penrith Panthers and Sydney Roosters have already qualified for the finals, with the Sharks about to join them, so the intrigue lies further down the table around the final few qualifying places. The face-off between the Bulldogs and Dolphins on 17 August could be a crucial one, while the Raiders – among a clutch of teams looking to gatecrash the top eight – are in action against the Sea Eagles and Cowboys this month, live on Sky Sports.

Canberra Raiders v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Saturday 10 August, 6am, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

North Queensland Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos

Saturday 10 August, 8.30am, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

Newcastle Knights v Wests Tigers

Sunday 11 August, 7am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Penrith Panthers v Melbourne Storm

Thursday 15 August, 10.50am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Redcliffe Dolphins

Saturday 17 August, 6am, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

North Queensland Cowboys v Canberra Raiders

Saturday 17 August, 8.30am, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

Rugby League: NRL Women’s

In the women’s NRL, it was the Raiders who got off to the best start, as the team from the ACT thumped Wests Tigers 32-12. The Sharks and Titans made winning starts too – as did the Eels, and their 22-10 victory away to Brisbane was all the more impressive considering they won just a single game last season. Could their fortunes be turning around? They’re featured live on Sky Sports four times this month, so you can keep a check on their progress as long as you don’t mind the odd early start/late night. If you’re looking for a team who play at a more reasonable time, the Dragons have two 9.10am kick-offs.

Sydney Roosters v Wests Tigers

Saturday 10 August, 2am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Canberra Raiders v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Saturday 10 August, 3.45am, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

North Queensland Cowboys v Parramatta Eels

Sunday 11 August, 3am, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

Brisbane Broncos v Gold Coast Titans

Sunday 11 August, 4.45am, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

Newcastle Knights v St George-Illawarra Dragons

Sunday 11 August, 9.10am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Brisbane Broncos v Canberra Raiders

Saturday 17 August, 2am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

North Queensland Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans

Saturday 17 August, 3.45am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

St George-Illawarra Dragons v Sydney Roosters

Sunday 18 August, 3am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Newcastle Knights

Sunday 18 August, 4.45am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Wests Tigers v Parramatta Eels

Sunday 18 August, 9.10am, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

Parramatta Eels v Newcastle Knights

Saturday 24 August, 2am, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

Canberra Raiders v North Queensland Cowboys

Saturday 24 August, 3.45am, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

Gold Coast Titans v Sydney Roosters

Sunday 25 August, 3am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Wests Tigers v Brisbane Broncos

Sunday 25 August, 4.45am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

St George-Illawarra Dragons v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Sunday 25 August, 9.10am, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

Gold Coast Titans v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Saturday 31 August, 2am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Parramatta Eels v St George-Illawarra Dragons

Saturday 31 August, 3.45am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Rugby Union: Rugby Championship

Four giants of rugby union face off again to establish southern hemisphere supremacy, and it’s live on Sky Sports starting this month. This became a four-nation tournament in 2012 and – to no one’s great surprise – the All Blacks have won 10 of the 12 titles since. South Africa may be double world champions, beating New Zealand in the 2023 final to defend their title, but they just can’t find a way past their great rivals in this competition. Could this be the year that changes? Don’t miss the top-quality rugby this month – and pay close attention to what times the games start, because they’re all over the place thanks to all the different time zones.

Australia v South Africa

Saturday 10 August, 5.30am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

New Zealand v Argentina

Saturday 10 August, 7.55am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

New Zealand v Argentina

Saturday 17 August, 7.55am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Australia v South Africa

Saturday 17 August, 10.45am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

South Africa v New Zealand

Saturday 31 August, 3.50pm, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Argentina v Australia

Saturday 31 August, 7.50pm, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Rugby Union: NZ NPC

New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship is often rated one of the most entertaining competitions in the world by rugby fans. It takes place over a relatively short period (August to October) and many of the players are taking time away from their main employment by Super Rugby teams, so there’s a perception that they’re under less pressure and more able to focus on fast, free-flowing rugby. But don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s amateurish – it’s a fully professional, high-commitment contest. Last season Wellington topped the table but lost out in the play-offs, and it was Taranaki who went on to claim the prize. The live coverage of the 2024 campaign starts this month on Sky Sports.

Auckland v Wellington

Friday 9 August, 8.35am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Bay Of Plenty v Manukau

Wednesday 14 August, 8am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Otago v Auckland

Friday 16 August, 8.05am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Hawke’s Bay v Southland

Sunday 18 August, 5.30am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Hawke’s Bay v Northland

Friday 23 August, 8am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Rugby Union: Currie Cup

The Blue Bulls (based in Pretoria) and Cheetahs (Bloemfontein) have been the dominant teams in South Africa’s Currie Cup in recent years, winning four of the past five titles between them (two apiece). And they’ve made successful starts to the 2024 season, the Blue Bulls sitting top of the table after four wins from four games. They’re both in action live on Sky this month, and first up for the Blue Bulls is a tough trip to Mbombela to meet the Pumas.

Western Province v Cheetahs

Saturday 10 August, 6.05pm, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Pumas v Blue Bulls

Friday 16 August, 1.55pm, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

NFL

September brings the return of the NFL, with five live games a week on Sky Sports every week from now until the end of the regular season in January – plus, of course, the play-offs and Super Bowl LIX. Reigning champions the Kansas City Chiefs kick off the new campaign when they host the Baltimore Ravens on the first Thursday night game (and we note that the Chiefs’ most famous fan ends the current leg of her Eras tour in August, giving her all the time she needs to support the team). No, ahem, Swift exit needed.

These two teams, who met in the last AFC Championship game, will be among the favourites again this year thanks in no small part to their star quarterbacks, the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes – a triple Super Bowl winner already after just seven seasons in the NFL. In the NFC, Super Bowl runners-up San Francisco look strong again, but could this finally be the year for the Detroit Lions after a drastic improvement in the past couple of seasons? They host the LA Rams on the opening weekend.

Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs

Friday 6 September, 1.20am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Game TBC

Sunday 8 September, 5pm, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Game TBC

Sunday 8 September, 9pm, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Los Angeles Rams @ Detroit Lions

Monday 9 September, 1.20am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

New York Jets @ San Francisco 49ers

Tuesday 10 September, 1.20am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Boxing

The IBF featherweight title is on the line in Albuquerque, New Mexico, when champ Venado Lopez meets challenger Angelo Leo in the latter’s home town. Then it’s on to Québec City, where France’s Christian Mbilli takes on Ukrainian Sergiy Derevyanchenko in a super middleweight clash. And then, in Tokyo, Naoya Inoue will have his second fight as undisputed super bantamweight champion. In May, he saw off Luis Nery, and now he faces former IBF champ TJ Doheny with all his belts at stake again.

Lopez v Leo

Sunday 11 August, 2am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Mbilli v Derevyanchenko

Sunday 18 August, 1am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Inoue v Doheny

Tuesday 3 September, 10am, Sky Sports+

Pool

You can see two of the highlights of the international nine-ball pool season this month on Sky Sports. The European Open comes from Fulda in Germany, as Spain’s David Alcaide defends the title he claimed with a thrilling 13-12 win over the Philippines’ Anton Raga in last year’s final. Then Atlantic City is the venue for the US Open, with a top prize of $50,000 – Taiwan’s Ko Ping-chung is the defending champ here.

European Open: Quarter-finals

Saturday 10 August, 11am + 5.30pm, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510)

European Open: Semi-finals

Sunday 11 August, 11am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

European Open: Final

Sunday 11 August, 5.30pm, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

US Open: Day 6 – Last 16

Friday 23 August, 3pm + 9.30pm, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

US Open: Final

Saturday 24 August, 3pm, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

Watch on the go

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