This Week in Sport
September begins with some must-see sport! On Monday, the first round of the US Open continues. On Tuesday, the Houston Astros host the Chicago White Sox in the MLB. That's followed by the second leg of the Women's Champions League Qualifying clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday. On Thursday, Fremantle face Hawthorn in an AFL Finals Qualifying Final, while the Diamond League Finals begin on Friday.
There are also some huge matches to enjoy at the weekend! On Saturday, South Africa take on New Zealand in the third Test of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, while Arsenal meet Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.
Grand Slam (Tennis): US Open 2026 Day 2
Monday 31st August 3:00PM GMT/11:00AM Local
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York
The first round of the US Open continues at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in New York City. In the Men's draw, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz will play his first competitive singles match in nearly five months as he opens his tournament at the Arthur Ashe Stadium against the world number 99, Roman Safiullin. Elsewhere, Stan Wawrinka will begin the final Grand Slam tournament of his career against Matteo Berrettini. Wawrinka, the former world number three, won the US Open in 2016. Meanwhile, in the Women's draw, Aryna Sabalenka starts her quest for a third consecutive US Open title against the world number 59, Camila Osorio. Sabalenka has had a mixed year, making one Grand Slam Final so far. However, she has made at least the Semifinals of the US Open every year since 2021 and looks to further cement her hard court dominance, as several of her rivals pursue her number one world ranking.
MLB: Houston Astros v Chicago White Sox
Tuesday 1st September 12:10AM GMT (2nd)/7:10PM Local
Daikin Park, Houston
The Houston Astros face the Chicago White Sox in the MLB at Daikin Park in Houston. As the final month of the regular season begins, the Astros are defending a slim lead atop the American League West. Both the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners could still seize control of the division, with no guarantee that a second-place finish would be good enough for a Wild Card berth. The star of the Astros is AL MVP frontrunner Yordan Alvarez, who leads MLB in batting average and is also a top-five home run hitter. Is the Cuban's historic season enough to drag Houston to the playoffs? Meanwhile, the White Sox continue to hold their division rivals at arm's length as they race toward their first winning record, and division title, since 2021. The White Sox are the epitome of baseball by committee, with a strong, well-rounded roster but no truly outstanding players. Despite this unorthodox approach in baseball's bona fide 'superstar era', the White Sox's success cannot be argued with, though their prospects in the playoffs, especially given the wealth of success brewing in the AL East, is yet to be determined. Following this four-game series, the Astros will play host to the Arizona Diamondbacks, while the White Sox will return home to face the Minnesota Twins.
UEFA Women's Champions League: Paris Saint-Germain Féminine v Eintracht Frankfurt Women
Wednesday 2nd September 4:30PM GMT/6:30PM Local
Campus PSG, Poissy
Paris Saint-Germain Women host Eintracht Frankfurt Women in the third and final round of Qualifying for the UEFA Women's Champions League at Campus PSG in Poissy. PSG are attempting to regain the form that defined them as one of Europe's strongest women's clubs earlier in the decade. Their last two European campaigns have seen them crash out in qualifying two seasons ago, before finishing 17th in the 18-team league stage last season. Meanwhile, Frankfurt - four-time Champions League winners - are looking to make it to the Champions League proper for the first time since the 2023-24 competition, building on their Semi-final finish in last season's Women's Europa Cup. The tie is level 1-1 after the first leg, with the teams trading goals within the first ten minutes of that match. The question remains, however, as to which former titan of women's football in Europe will earn their spot in the League Stage.
AFL: Fremantle v Hawthorn
Thursday 3rd September 10:10AM GMT/6:10PM Local
Perth Stadium, Perth
Fremantle face Hawthorn in the First Qualifying Final of the AFL Finals at Optus Stadium in Perth. Is it finally Fremantle's year? The Dockers - by far the oldest of the AFL's three franchises to have never won a Premiership - stormed to a historic minor premiership with a franchise-best 19 wins. Their first test on the road to the Grand Final is Hawthorn, whom they beat by 15 points earlier in the season. The Hawks are something of a fallen giant in the AFL, not having won a Premiership since completing a three-peat in 2015. However, their fourth-place finish in the regular season is their best since 2018, and 2026 also marked the first season since 2018 that Hawthorn fielded two 50-goal scorers. The winner will move on to the Preliminary Final and await the result of the Semi-final between the loser of Sydney versus Brisbane, and the winner of Adelaide versus Western Bulldogs. The loser will face either Geelong or Carlton in a Semi-final.
Diamond League: Diamond League Belgium Day 1
Friday 4th September 4:50PM GMT/6:50PM Local
King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels
The Diamond League Finals begin at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. Day one of this season-ending event is packed with some fantastic events. The Men's 100m field is led by reigning World Champion Oblique Seville, with 2022 Diamond League champion Trayvon Bromell also expected to be in the mix to cross the line first. Meanwhile, Ja'Kobe Tharp will be the runner to watch in the Men's 110m Hurdles after shattering the 14-year-old discipline record earlier this year. There will also be plenty of tension as to whether Mondo Duplantis, who has uncharacteristically struggled at times this year, can secure his sixth consecutive Diamond League pole vault title. Day two of the event will feature must-watch events such as the women's 100m, the women's 100m hurdles, and the women's 800m, the latter of which os expected to feature a repeat of the European Championships Final lineup of Audrey Werro, Femke Broeders-Bol, and Keely Hodgkinson.
Official Website: Diamond League
Event Programme: Diamond League
Tickets: Allianz Memorial Van Damme
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: South Africa v New Zealand
Saturday 5th September 3:00PM GMT/5:00PM Local
FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
South Africa host New Zealand for the third and penultimate test of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. After their bruising loss in the first test, South Africa roared back in style in the second. However, despite holding a 24-14 lead at half-time, the Springboks were made to work for the 33-26 victory as the All Blacks scored two late tries. Despite the valiant comeback attempt, missed conversions and superior discipline on the side of the hosts prevented New Zealand from earning back-to-back wins over the Boks for the first time since 2023. Despite this, the All Blacks have a perfect record at FNB Stadium, having beaten South Africa in both matches contested at the venue. With the series level, everything will be on the line before the teams head to Baltimore next week for the decisive fourth test.
Premier League: Arsenal v Chelsea
Sunday 6th September 3:30PM GMT/4:30PM Local
Emirates Stadium, London
Arsenal face Chelsea in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium in London. Fans are treated to an early-season London Derby between two teams pegged as title contenders. Arsenal, who face an ailing Aston Villa on Monday night, opened their Premier League title defence with a 3-0 win over Coventry City. Since then, they have continued to strengthen their squad, adding Ezri Konsa from Villa. Meanwhile, Chelsea have two wins from two matches but have been unable to shake the theatrics of last season. A 3-2 win over Fulham to open the season has been followed by a 4-3 win over Brighton, leaving the Blues with a perfect record but serious questions about their defensive capabilities, especially with the debut of new starting goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. Chelsea haven't beaten their London rivals since 2021, but will need to do so in order to live up the expectations set upon the club after a season of disappointment in 2025/26.
Photo by: Fremantle Dockers
Written and information correct on 31st August 2026 at 6AM GMT.
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