Shorts: Goodwood, Eilish McColgan, Hampshire Cricket
Goodwood has expanded its partnership with Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli to launch a new fan zone presented by Mastercard at the upcoming Festival of Speed.
The brand, which is already the event’s exclusive tyre partner, will take an active role in the new area, hosting a series of talks and interviews with motorsport and automotive figures on the Fan Zone stage.
A limited-edition cap has also been created to celebrate the collaboration, which will be sold within the new area.
Alongside its stage presence, Pirelli will showcase its P Zero tyre range and motorsport assets on a dedicated stand. The company has served as the exclusive tyre partner of Formula 1 since 2011 and supports more than 350 motorsport events worldwide.
The Duke of Richmond CBE DL, founder of Goodwood Festival of Speed, said, “We are delighted that Pirelli has expanded its presence at Festival of Speed as presenting partner of the new FOS Fan Zone, sitting alongside its exclusive tyre partnership. As the leader in the prestige tyre market with an outstanding reputation for excellence and innovation, like Goodwood, they understand the importance of fan engagement, and we’re grateful to them for their support in bringing this exciting new area of the event to life.”
Andrea Casaluci, CEO of Pirelli, said, “Goodwood Festival of Speed is a unique place where a pure passion for automotive culture can be felt at every turn, and it is this very same sentiment that has always driven Pirelli, both on the track and in the development of our products. For us, becoming the presenting partner of the new FOS Fan Zone, alongside our role as exclusive tyre partner, means celebrating this deep connection together with an extraordinary community of enthusiasts. In this new area, we will not only showcase the cutting-edge technology and performance of our tyres, but we will also provide a meeting point where innovation meets the thrill of driving and racing. It is the synthesis of who we are: pioneers of technology, united with the public by the exact same passion for automotive excellence.”
Science in Sport has appointed Eilish McColgan to its Elite Performance Advisory Panel to inform UK-based research and athlete support programmes
The panel has been established by Science in Sport to bring together athletes to provide input into performance research and education initiatives. It will operate alongside the organisation’s existing Science Advisory Panel to identify areas for further study and development.
McColgan’s appointment extends her existing relationship with Science in Sport, where she has worked as an athlete ambassador. The role focuses on contributing athlete insight into the demands of elite performance and the application of sports nutrition.
The appointment comes within a wider context of ongoing discussion in sports science regarding the representation of female athletes in research. Studies have indicated that a limited proportion of elite performance research has historically focused on female physiology.
Science in Sport has indicated that it will publish a study later in 2026 on elite female marathon runners. The research is intended to inform fuelling strategies for female endurance athletes. Findings from a related study on male runners showed that consuming 120 grams of carbohydrate per hour improved running economy by three per cent, a change associated with measurable time differences over marathon distance.
The development of new research aligns with continued growth in women’s sport in the UK, including increased participation and investment across athletics and endurance disciplines.
Science in Sport, founded in 1992, continues to expand its work in performance nutrition through athlete partnerships, research programmes and product development focused on endurance sport.
McColgan said, “The performances, the visibility, the investment – it’s all moving in the right direction. But the science hasn’t kept pace.”
“We have research coming that I genuinely believe could be as transformative for female runners as the super shoe revolution was for distance running.
“The challenge we face is that sports performance research is overwhelmingly based on male cohorts, which ignores important aspects of female physiology, including the impact of the menstrual cycle on performance and recovery.
“I’m excited to join Science in Sport’s Elite Performance Advisory Panel and help ensure the athlete perspective is represented when identifying the questions that matter most. For me personally, this work will also play an important role in how I approach training and racing.”
Utilita Bowl has partnered with Thatchers Cider in a multi-year agreement running through the 2028 UK cricket season
The partnership introduces Thatchers Cider as a supplier across the Hampshire Cricket venue in Southampton, with a range of products set to be available to spectators during domestic and international fixtures. The agreement also includes branding across the ground and a refurbishment of bar facilities within the Shane Warne Stand.
The collaboration will extend to matchday activity, including fan engagement initiatives during the 2026 domestic season. A scheduled activation includes an innings-break competition at selected Vitality Blast fixtures, which form part of England’s domestic T20 competition.
Thatchers Cider will also act as stage sponsor for the BlastFest event during the Hampshire Cricket against Yorkshire fixture on 26 June, held as part of a Vitality Blast double header.
The agreement reflects continued commercial investment in UK cricket venues, where partnerships are being used to enhance matchday experiences and diversify revenue streams. Domestic competitions such as the Vitality Blast remain a central part of this model, with clubs and venues expanding hospitality and fan engagement offerings.
Visitors to Utilita Bowl will see increased Thatchers Cider branding across the venue as part of the partnership, which will run for three seasons through to the end of the 2028 campaign.
Rob Paddon, Commercial Director at Hampshire Cricket & Utilita Bowl, said, “We’re excited to welcome Thatchers Cider as an official partner of Utilita Bowl. Thatchers is a much‑loved brand with a strong connection to British sport, and we’re proud to be bringing their products and energy to our matchdays. This new agreement allows us to deliver even more for our supporters, from fan competitions to activations during T20 games and their involvement in our BlastFest fixture. We look forward to working closely with the Thatchers team throughout the 2026 season and beyond.”
Philip McTeer, Head of Marketing at Thatchers Cider said, “This partnership reflects our shared pursuit for excellence both on and off the pitch, with Hampshire Cricket’s passion and dedication for cricket matching our own determination to produce the perfect pint.
“We’re proud to be the cider of choice for the Utilita Bowl, adding to the unbeatable match day atmosphere. The supporters are the beating heart of the club, and we’re excited to give back to them with a series of competitions and half time entertainment. “We can’t wait to join you in the stands, cheering the team on with a delicious pint of Gold in hand.”
The German Football Association (DFB) has appointed sports agency IMG as its international production partner for the men’s DFB-Pokal.
Under the four-year agreement, which begins with the 2026/27 tournament on 21st August 2026, the agency has committed to producing the live international feed for 63 matches per season. The live coverage has been designed to feature English-language commentary and graphics, produced remotely from the agency’s production hub in London.
IMG has also agreed to deliver a suite of shoulder programming and digital content, including a dedicated ‘DFB-Pokal Zone’ studio show, match highlight programmes, clips, and promotional trailers throughout the season.
Richard Bayliss, VP and Head of Football Content, Studios, IMG, said, “The DFB-Pokal is one of the most iconic cup competitions in world football, thanks largely to its unique format and a history filled with amazing stories. With big clubs playing away at lower tier stadiums packed with passionate supporters, the jeopardy and authenticity of the competition is incredible, and the opportunity to showcase German football culture to a global audience is hugely exciting. By combining our global production expertise with high-quality storytelling and new formats, this partnership will ensure international fans can experience the drama and excitement of a competition unlike any other.”
SailGP has secured Craig David and Jess Glynne to headline its Portsmouth event as part of the UK leg of the 2026 season.
The performances will take place during the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth on 25 and 26 July 2026, forming part of the event’s Après-Sail programme. Jess Glynne is scheduled to perform following racing on 25 July, with Craig David performing on 26 July.
The event will be held on Southsea Common, with live music taking place after daily racing sessions. Attendance across the two days is expected to reach around 20,000 spectators.
The music programme is integrated into SailGP’s UK event format, combining on‑water racing with shore-based entertainment. Performances will take place on a main stage positioned alongside the Waterfront Grandstands, with race action shown on large screens throughout the venue.
Craig David is also scheduled to perform a DJ set within SailGP’s VELA Beach Club hospitality area. The VELA concept, introduced during the 2026 season, provides premium viewing and entertainment spaces at selected events.
The Portsmouth event marks the eighth stop in the SailGP 2026 calendar. Thirteen national teams will compete in the series using identical hydrofoiling F50 catamarans, including the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team. The British team is led by driver Dylan Fletcher and strategist Hannah Mills.
The return of SailGP to Portsmouth follows its debut in the city in 2025. The event forms part of a wider trend of combining live sport with music and entertainment to increase spectator attendance across UK events.
Additional features at the Portsmouth event include fan engagement activities, interactive installations and simulation experiences linked to the SailGP competition format. Tickets are available across multiple categories, including general admission and premium hospitality options.
