“At the same time, I’ve used shared experiences as the basis for songs which try to delve into why we humans behave as we do, so the record is a mixture of fact and fiction.”
The tour –Lily AllenPerforms West End Girl – will see the singer perform the album in its entirety in the order the songs feature on her record.
When is Lily Allen’s 2026 tour?
Lily Allen’s 2026 West End Girl tour is scheduled to take place throughout March 2026.
The British singer is set to perform her acclaimed fifth studio album at venues, theatres and concert halls across the UK.
This tour marks her first headline shows since her No Shame Tour in 2018-19.
The tour dates and venues for Lily Allen Performs West End Girl UK in March 2026 are:
March 2: Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall
March 3: Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall
March 5: Birmingham, Symphony Hall
March 7: Sheffield, City Hall
March 8: Newcastle, City Hall
March 10: Manchester, Aviva Studios (The Hall)
March 11: Manchester, Aviva Studios (The Hall)
March 14: Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall
March 15: Cambridge, Corn Exchange
March 17: Bristol, Beacon
March 18: Cardiff, New Theatre
March 20: London, Palladium
March 21: London, Palladium
How can I get tickets for Lily Allen’s 2026 tour?
Tickets go on general sale from 10am GMT Friday, November 7, 2025, via Ticketmaster and LiveNation.
For fans who want to secure tickets before the general release, thankfully there is a presale, taking place from 10am on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
But to access this presale, you will need to register with co:brand before midnight on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Selected venues have already confirmed ticket prices for Lily Allen’s UK tour.
The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall said they start at roughly £40 and go up to around £85.
Dodgers fans Aiden Mashaka and his dad, Akida Mashaka.
(Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)
How long have you been a Dodgers fan?
Akida: What are you talking about? Kirk Gibson! I’m Tommy Lasorda, baby!
How much did you pay for your ticket?
Akida: $900. We bought our tickets from a third party. I’ve been asking my brother-in-law how much I owe him, but he’s such an amazing human being. He’s like “Don’t worry. I got this!”
Was it worth it?
Akida: Of course it’s worth it. We’re seeing the Dodgers World Series. The flight costs more than $900. If you have it, it’s worth it. If you don’t have it, it’s not worth it — you can watch it on TV. If I was still in school, I would be watching on TV. But I am a 53-year-old man, after many years of life, so I can spend $900 to watch the Dodgers.
Aiden: This is maybe my second or third game that I’ve been to for the Dodgers. Being at the World Series, like the grand finale, I feel like it’s a great time to be here. I’m really proud of my dad, my auntie and my uncle for bringing me here. I want to thank them.
Under a two-hour flight from the UK is a ‘magical’ and ‘beautiful’ theme park, boasting 30 rides and attractions that offers a great alternative to Disneyland – and it’s much cheaper
Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark, has been labelled as a great alternative to Disneyland Paris
Disneyland has long been dubbed ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’, but with that comes a hefty price tag, particularly if you’re taking the whole family. Thankfully, there’s a cheaper alternative for a fraction of the price, and it’s even been said to have been inspired by Walt Disney itself.
Less than a two-hour flight from the UK is Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark, known for its “cosy, wholesome and magical atmosphere.” It claims to be the second-oldest amusement park in the world, having opened in 1843, and boasts around 30 fun-packed rides and attractions for the whole family to enjoy.
Located in the heart of the city and set within the stunning backdrop of the Danish capital, it has been labelled “the most beautiful park” by one avid traveller and content creator called Emily. And one of the most appealing qualities about this theme park is that tickets start from as little as £11.10 per person.
Sharing details of the beloved and overlooked Disneyland alternative, Emily posted a TikTok video on her page, @upfoldadventures, during a family day out. At the start of the video, she told her 10.9K followers, “If Disneyland Paris is out of your budget this year, I have the next best thing, and no, it’s not Efteling.
“If you love Disney but you hate the crowds and you want the magic but at half the price, well this park has those Disney magical storybook vibes but without the chaos and when it gets dark and all the lights come on, you will understand why this is called ‘Europe’s hidden Disney.'”
She added: “It is one of the world’s oldest theme parks and it is truly magical – it is honestly like stepping foot into a storybook.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
“The rides are classic and stunning, the park is spotless, there’s live music, there’s shows and the food is phenomenal – don’t just think this is gonna be theme park junk, no, it is genuinely some of the best food I’ve ever eaten in my life.”
One of the main attractions at Tivoli Gardens is the giant Ferris Wheel that was built in 1943. It also offers views 63m above the ground on the Golden Tower, and a thrilling ride on its wooden Roller Coaster, which was erected all the way back in 1914.
In addition, visitors can whiz around on their bumper cars and carousel rides, or admire the picturesque surroundings in the Hanging Gardens. And that’s not all, as the theme park is also packed with shops, stages, theatre spaces and a food hall to keep the family happy.
While the savvy saving mum is a huge fan of Disneyland Paris, she was left delighted after a day out at Tivoli Gardens. In the video she added: “So if you love the Disney vibe, well then you’re gonna fall in love with it, because it is such a cosy, wholesome, magical atmosphere at a fraction of the cost of Disneyland Paris – and before Disney even existed, this park was creating all the magic.”
Standard weekday tickets for Tivoli Gardens start from just £11.10 for children aged 3-7, while a standard adult ticket costs just £22.21. A weekday ticket and ride pass, offering full access to all the attractions, will set you back £25.01 for children aged 3-7 and £50.14 for an adult ticket.
Children under 3 are free at Tivoli Gardens. Prices can vary, so it’s best to check their website for more details.
METALLICA are bringing the M72 World Tour back to the UK in summer 2026, and demand is sky high.
If you missed out on the first wave, do not panic—here are the confirmed dates, who is supporting, and the most innovative ways to still grab seats for Glasgow, Cardiff, and London.
Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter
Thank you!
With Metallica promising fresh setlists and huge production for M72, the extra effort will be worth itCredit: Tim Saccenti
What are Metallica’s UK tour dates 2026?
Metallica have set four massive UK shows for June and July 2026 as part of the M72 World Tour, with different setlists and support lineups across the weekend.
Glasgow, Scotland Venue: Hampden Park Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026 Supporting acts: Gojira and Knocked Loose
Cardiff, Wales Venue: Principality Stadium Date: Sunday, June 28, 2026 Supporting acts: Gojira and Knocked Loose
London, England Venue: London Stadium Date 1: Friday, July 3, 2026, with support from Pantera and Avatar Date 2: Sunday, July 5, 2026, with support from Gojira and Knocked Loose
The M72 World Tour is built around the No Repeat Weekend format, which means two different shows and two different setlists in the same city, plus a rotating cast of special guests.
It is designed so fans can go twice and get a completely fresh night each time.
Two‑day tickets for the 2026 European leg went on general sale on May 30, 2025, with fan club presales earlier that week.
For London specifically, single‑day tickets were released later and went on sale on Friday, July 25, 2025.
How can I still get tickets for Metallica’s UK tour?
If your chosen date is now sold out, you still have a few solid routes to get in. Some are official and face value, others are resale and often carry a markup.
Here is what to try, in order.
1. Check primary sites for drops and verified listings
Start with the official primary agents. Inventory does move.
Extra production holds and restricted views can be released closer to the show, and Ticketmaster remains the key place to check for any new London Stadium allocations and verified listings when they appear.
Keep refreshing on on-sale anniversaries and ahead of staging deadlines.
The show is designed so fans can go twice and get a completely fresh night each timeCredit: Getty
2. Try official hospitality for guaranteed seats
Hospitality and VIP packages are often still available even when standard tickets are sold out.
Seat Unique is the official hospitality partner for Metallica’s UK dates, with packages for London and Cardiff that bundle premium seats, lounge access and extras.
These are pricier but secure, and availability tends to last longer than standard tickets.
VIP options typically include fast‑track entry, lounge access, premium seating and early access, which can be a game-changer if you want a smoother day out.
3. Look at Enhanced Experiences and fan club options
Metallica also run official Enhanced Experience packages via their own channels for the M72 tour.
Perks vary by city, but expect premium views, early entry or special access, plus exclusive merch.
The band have also offered an I Disappear ticket for this tour, granting general admission floor access with early entry across multiple shows, subject to availability and terms.
If you are flexible and planning more than one date, that pass can be highly valuable.
4. Use trusted secondary marketplaces carefully
If the primary route is tapped out, secondary marketplaces can help.
Sites like Viagogo and StubHub may have tickets listed by other fans.
Prices can be above face value, and fees add up, so read the listings closely and check seller guarantees before you buy.
Ticombo is another option some fans use for peer‑to‑peer resales.
Only purchase from platforms that offer clear protection in case of event changes or invalid barcodes.
5. Set alerts and keep checking back
Speed matters. Set up alerts so you are first in line when something drops.
Services like Twickets let you create notifications for specific dates and price points, and receive them from other fans at face value.
It is also worth checking the venue sites in the final run‑in, as Hampden Park, Principality Stadium and London Stadium sometimes free up last‑minute seats after production is locked.
Tel Aviv football team says it is working to ‘stamp out racism’ among its fan base.
Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv has said it will turn down any tickets offered to its fans for a match in the United Kingdom, even if an earlier decision by local officials to bar the team’s followers from attending is reversed.
Maccabi Tel Aviv said on Monday that “hard lessons learned” meant it had decided to decline any offer of tickets for the Europa League game against Aston Villa.
Recommended Stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
“The wellbeing and safety of our fans is paramount,” the team said in a statement posted online. “Our decision should be understood in that context.”
The club also said it had been working to “stamp out racism” within the “more extreme elements” of its fan base.
“Our first-team squad consists of Muslims, Christian and Jewish players and our fan base also crosses the ethnic and religious divide,” it said.
The team’s decision came a day after Israeli police cancelled a match between Maccabi and its rival Tel Aviv team Hapoel before kickoff over what they described as “public disorder and violent riots”.
The move by Israeli authorities to cancel the game stood in contrast with criticism by British and Israeli leaders of Birmingham City’s decision to ban Maccabi fans from the November 6 match at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the ban by the city’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) “the wrong decision”, while Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar called for the “shameful” and “coward decision” to be reversed.
The UK government said on Friday that it was working to override local authorities to allow Israeli fans to be present.
But after Israeli police shut down the match between Tel Aviv teams on Sunday, some UK politicians questioned whether the government should intervene in Birmingham.
“To Keir Starmer and others who tried to make this about religion! Here’s more evidence. Even under the world’s spotlight, these fans chose violence, injuring police officers,” independent MP Ayoub Khan wrote in a post on X.
Richard Burgon, a Labour MP, broke with his government, saying the developments vindicated the decision to ban away fans from attending the game.
“This news exposes how absurd that campaign has been,” he said on X. “The people of Birmingham have a right to be kept safe.”
West Midlands Police said last week that they had classified the match as high risk based on “current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offences that occurred during the 2024 UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam”.
“Based on our professional judgement, we believe this measure will help mitigate risks to public safety,” the police force said.
Last year’s clashes in Amsterdam between pro-Palestinian supporters and fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv led to dozens of arrests.
The clashes followed incidents of Israeli fans rampaging through the Dutch capital, assaulting residents, destroying symbols of Palestinian solidarity and chanting racist and genocidal slogans against Palestinians and Arabs.
The clashes also featured reported incidents of anti-Semitism, including a private messaging chat calling for a “Jew hunt”.
Legal experts have also voiced concerns about Israeli teams participating in international sporting matches, citing a report by United Nations investigators that affirmed that Israel is carrying out a genocide against Palestinians.
Earlier this month, more than 30 legal experts wrote to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, saying that banning Israel from competitions was “imperative”.
“UEFA must not be complicit in sports-washing such flagrant breaches of international law, including but not limited to the act of genocide,” the experts wrote.
Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv say they will not accept any ticket allocation from Aston Villa should the decision to ban their supporters from next month’s Europa League match be overturned.
The decision was widely condemned, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy pledging that the government will “find the resources” to allow Maccabi fans to attend earlier on Monday.
But Maccabi Tel Aviv now say supporters will not travel for safety reasons – that “a toxic atmosphere has been created which makes the safety of our fans wishing to attend very much in doubt”.
A club statement said, external: “The wellbeing and safety of our fans is paramount, and from hard lessons learned we have taken the decision to decline any allocation offered on behalf of away fans and our decision should be understood in that context.
“We hope that circumstances will change and look forward to being able to play in Birmingham in a sporting environment in the near future.”
“We are deeply saddened Maccabi Tel Aviv have turned down their away fan allocation but we respect their right to do so,” a government spokesperson said.
They added it was “completely unacceptable” that the match has been “weaponised to stoke violence and fear by those who seek to divide us”.
“The government has been working around the clock to defend a basic principle – that football fans should be able to enjoy a game without fear of intimidation or violence.”
On Thursday, West Midlands Police said it had classified the fixture as “high risk” based on current intelligence and previous incidents, including “violent clashes and hate crime offences” between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans before a match in Amsterdam, in November 2024.
Nandy said ministers were working together to fund any necessary policing operation to allow away fans to attend, and the SAG would review the decision if West Midlands Police changed its risk assessment.
Nandy said the matter was wider than matchday security, adding it came “against the backdrop of rising antisemitism here and across the world, and an attack on a synagogue in Manchester in which two innocent men were killed”.
On Sunday, the Israeli Premier League derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled before kick-off, after what police described as “public disorder and violent riots”.
Maccabi say the decision to call that game off was not down to their supporters and thanked the UK government for its efforts.
They said: “We believe that football should be about bringing people together not driving them apart.
“Our fans regularly travel all over Europe without incident and to suggest that the reason our fans cannot be allowed to travel is due to their behaviour is an attempt to distort reality.
“We acknowledge the efforts of the UK government and police to ensure both sets of fans can attend the match safely, and are grateful for the messages of support from across the footballing community.”
Aston Villa previously told their matchday stewards they did not have to work at the Maccabi Tel Aviv fixture, saying they understood some “may have concerns”.
Following Thursday’s announcement by the club about the impending fixture, Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the move “wrong” and said: “We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets.”
A European island has been hailed as the place with “perfect weather” all year round, and it’s only a short flight from the UK – with return flights available for just 27 per person
Alice Sjoberg Social News Reporter
16:37, 17 Oct 2025
People were amazed when hearing about this European island with ‘perfect’ climate all year around (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
People are dreaming about visiting a specific European island which many claims has ‘perfect weather’ all year around. As Britain grows chillier and wetter, it’s perfectly natural to fantasise about escaping to sunnier, warmer destinations. Unfortunately, such dreams often prove costly and out of reach. But imagine if you could fulfil these dreams in a wonderfully sunny, dreamlike spot with return flights costing just £27 per person?
Madeira is an archipelago located in the North Atlantic Ocean, frequently dubbed Portugal’s Island of Eternal Spring thanks to its consistently ‘perfect’ weather conditions throughout the year. While much of Europe cools down, Madeira boasts a subtropical climate maintaining pleasant temperatures year-round.
During early October, the island’s average highs still linger around 25C before dropping slightly to 23C by month’s end. Evenings remain pleasant too, with temperatures rarely dipping below 18C.
This makes it ideal for sunset walks along Funchal’s waterfront or outdoor dining at the island’s numerous family-owned restaurants.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Posting on Instagram, the account ‘beautifuldestinations’ declared in its caption: “Just a short flight from Lisbon, this subtropical island feels like it lives in permanent golden hour, warm, green, and blooming no matter the month.”
The Instagram post featured a reel showcasing the island’s stunning natural beauty, including its verdant mountains and brilliant azure coastline. They went on to say: “It’s the kind of place that’s just as good for hiking mountain trails as it is for slow cliffside lunches (ideally with a glass of local Madeira wine).”
The piece then highlighted various activities available, including witnessing dawn break above the clouds at Pico do Arieiro, taking a dip in volcanic pools, exploring trails and pathways through stunning landscapes.
For those preferring to discover local settlements, you can wander through Funchal’s historic quarter and sample regional delicacies, such as bolo do caco, or Poncha.
Timing your visit to Madeira isn’t crucial, as pleasant and bright conditions persist for most of the year. While winter brings milder temperatures averaging 15-18C, summer offers warmer weather with typical highs of 21-25C.
The island enjoys a subtropical climate, ensuring sunshine remains likely year-round.
Viewers were astonished by the footage, with numerous people vowing to experience Madeira themselves as the word ‘beautiful’ was repeated among several people.
“Going there just in a month – can’t wait,” one person wrote, while another user said: “The hiking and ending up above the clouds. the best part of travelling to Madeira!”
“Madeira is so wonderful! Love Portugal beautiful country with lovely people! Dream place,” someone else said.
Another person shared: “Been there past May, it is beautiful.”
Can you put a price on the experience of enjoying a World Series game at Dodger Stadium?
Yes, and it’s a very high one.
The Dodgers put tickets for potential World Series games on sale Tuesday, with the cheapest seat available for $881.95, according to an afternoon review of the team website. That seat — $800 for the ticket and $81.95 for fees — is located at the end of the reserve level, high above the field and next to the foul pole.
World Series prices posted on the website Tuesday ranged as high as $1,510.05. The best seats are sold as part of season packages, so that $1,510.05 seat ($1,371 ticket plus $139.05 fees) is located on the field level, near the foul pole and bullpen.
If the Dodgers advance to the World Series and play the Seattle Mariners, the Dodgers would play as many as four home games, starting Friday, Oct. 24. If the Dodgers advance and play the Toronto Blue Jays, the Dodgers would play as many as three home games, starting Monday, Oct. 27.
On Oct. 24, a family of four could get into Disneyland for a total of $796. On Oct. 27, a family of four could get into Disneyland for a total of $676.
Ticket prices are subject to change based on demand.
When the Dodgers put National League Championship Series tickets on sale, the cheapest price was $155. On Tuesday, the cheapest ticket on the team website for Game 3 on Thursday was $168.
However, since the game time has been set at 3 p.m. and weekday afternoon games are not popular, tickets on the resale market could be bought for about $100 Tuesday.
Luke Littler will return to defend his titleCredit: Reuters
2
Luke Humphries will be looking to regain the title at Ally PallyCredit: PA
World Darts Championship 2025 tickets and prices
StubHub are offering tickets for sale for every session of the tournament, at the time of writing.
The cheapest tickets available are currently priced at £145 per person for the evening session on Thursday, December 18.
There are tickets on the site available at a range of prices.
Tickets for the final, for example, are priced from £380 at the time of writing – these are for seats on the outskirts rather than a table in the middle.
The cheapest table seats for the final start at £940 each.
For those looking for hospitality tickets, Seat Unique is offering packages – although is asking for those interested to register their interest.
There is no pricing available at the time of writing, with details expected soon.
Are tickets for the World Darts Championship still on sale?
Yes, tickets are available, but fans will have to buy from secondary ticketing sites.
PDCTV annual members were able to have first dibs at tickets during a pre-sale.
That took place on August 4 and August 5, 2025.
There was then the chance for others to put their name into a free-to-enter ticket ballot.
Registrations for the ballot opened on August 6 and then closed on August 15.
Tickets are now available on third-party ticketing sites, although the PDC have previously warned fans about purchasing tickets this way.
Who: India vs Australia What: ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 group stage When: Sunday, October 12 at 3pm (09:30 GMT) Where: Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, India How to follow:Al Jazeera Sport will have live build-up from 07:00 GMT before our text commentary stream for the action.
India will hope for a quick return to winning ways when they meet defending champions Australia in a blockbuster clash at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 on Sunday.
Recommended Stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
Both teams began the tournament as favourites, but Australia hold a definite edge in the match as record seven-time world champions and the only undefeated team after the first three group-stage matches.
Meanwhile, India were handed their first loss of the World Cup when South Africa pulled off a stunning turnaround in a three-wicket win on Thursday.
All 15,087 tickets for the eagerly awaited clash were sold out earlier in the week, indicating huge interest in what is now seen as one of the top rivalries in women’s cricket.
India vs Australia rivalry ‘continues to grow’
Australia’s captain Alyssa Healy admitted the interest in the Australia-India rivalry “continues to grow”, and that Australia will be taking on the “sleeping giant” of women’s cricket.
“They’ve [India] been a sleeping giant in the women’s game for a long period of time,” Healy said on Saturday.
The wicketkeeper-batter highlighted the role of the Women’s Premier League T20 franchise tournament in helping India unearth talent and figure out a style of play that suits them.
While Australia haven’t lost a match in the tournament, they have recovered from wobbly situations to post two wins in their two completed matches.
“You’re going to be put under the pump in unfamiliar conditions, against unfamiliar sides at times,” Healy explained.
“We’re allowed to lose games of cricket and be put under pressure in World Cups, and I really back the depth in our side,” she said when asked to comment on Australia’s batting slump against Pakistan on Wednesday.
“We’re fortunate that it’s been a different person every time that stuck their hand up and said, yep, I’ve got this, I can get us to a total or I can take the wickets to restrict the team.”
Despite their unmatched record in women’s cricket, Healy said India will be “a real threat” playing in their home conditions.
India beat Australia in the semifinal of the Women’s World Cup 2017 in England [File: Rui Vieira/AP]
India not dwelling on loss
India’s all-rounder Sneh Rana believes her team can bounce back quickly after the loss to South Africa, as they don’t dwell on losses and focus on the next challenge instead.
“We regroup, we study the match, plan how to improve, take the positives, and look forward to the next game,” Rana said on the eve of the Australia match.
She termed the Australians “one of the strongest competitors” but was quick to highlight the fact that India have beaten the world champions in the (2017) World Cup as well as their recent bilateral series.
For the hosts, one of the major areas of concern will be the lack of big scores from their top-rated batter Smriti Mandhana.
The left-handed opener has scored a world record 972 runs in women’s one-day internationals (ODIs) in 2025, but her top score in the tournament stands at 23.
In fact, none of India’s top batters feature among the tournament’s top five run-scorers thus far, with wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh in fourth spot with 131 runs.
Rana, however, said the team is not worried about the lack of runs from the top.
“We have some of the best batters in the world, and it’s just a matter of one good knock [before they score big].”
Smriti Mandhana has scored 54 runs in her three innings in the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 [Anupam Nath/AP]
India vs Australia: Head-to-head in ODIs
Despite the relatively low frequency of women’s international matches in past decades, India and Australia have faced each other in 59 ODIs.
Australia dominate the head-to-head count with 48 wins compared with India’s 11.
Form guide: India
The hosts won their first two matches of the World Cup comprehensively before crashing to a loss against South Africa. Their pre-tournament form has been mixed, with a series loss to Australia at home and an away series win against England.
Last five matches (latest result first): L W W L W
Form guide: Australia
Australia have won two of their three matches in the World Cup, with their fixture against Sri Lanka abandoned due to poor weather.
Apart from the one loss against India in September, Australia have not lost an ODI since September 2024.
Last five matches (latest result first): W W W L W
Team news: India
India may want to swap a spinner for a pace bowler, in which case Shree Charani could make way for Renuka Singh Thakur.
From tournament format to venues and top players to watch, here’s Al Jazeera’s guide to the Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Published On 29 Sep 202529 Sep 2025
Share
Women’s cricket will take centre stage when eight nations compete in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Women’s World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka from Tuesday.
Australia are the defending champions and record seven-time winners of the one-day international (ODI) competition , but in-form India are favourites to break their World Cup drought at home.
Recommended Stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
Here’s everything you need to know about the tournament:
When are the first match and final of the Women’s World Cup?
The World Cup begins when India host Sri Lanka in Guwahati on Tuesday and will conclude with the final on Sunday, November 2.
Why will some World Cup games be played in Sri Lanka if India is the official host?
While India was confirmed as the tournament’s official host earlier this year, Sri Lanka was added as a neutral venue for games involving Pakistan.
It came as a result of an ICC-brokered agreement between India and Pakistan that allows both countries the option of playing their games at a neutral venue for a tournament hosted by either South Asian nation. The neighbours have not visited each other for a bilateral cricket competition in 13 years and shared an intense four-day military and aerial conflict in May.
Guwahati is set to host the first semifinal but the venue will change to Colombo if Pakistan qualify for the last four.
Navi Mumbai will host the second semifinal, which will be India’s designated last-four clash if they qualify.
The venue for the final can also be moved to Colombo should Pakistan enter their first Women’s World Cup final.
Where are the venues of the Women’s World Cup?
Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, India
Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, India
Holkar Stadium, Indore, India
Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, India
R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Which teams are in the Women’s World Cup, and how did they qualify?
Australia
Bangladesh
England
India
New Zealand
Pakistan
South Africa
Sri Lanka
India qualified on the basis of their hosting rights, while Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka qualified as the top five teams in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25.
Bangladesh and Pakistan entered the tournament by finishing first and second in the World Cup qualifiers.
Chamari Athapaththu will have her eyes on the prize when she leads Sri Lanka at the World Cup at home [Ishara S Kodikara/AFP]
When and where is the India vs Pakistan match in the Women’s World Cup?
The archrivals will face-off on Sunday at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
India have beaten Pakistan in all ODI matches played between the two nations since 2005, with their last win coming at the ICC World Cup 2022 in South Africa.
What’s the format and schedule of the Women’s World Cup?
The tournament’s main round will be played in the round-robin format between September 30 and October 26.
The top four teams at the end of the group stage will qualify for the semifinals on 29 and 30 October.
The final will be played on November 2.
The updated match schedule for #CWC25 is out now 🏆
Which teams are favourites to win the Women’s World Cup?
Australia: The Southern Stars’ supremacy in women’s cricket is undeniable, with their record seven titles in the ODI World Cup and six in the T20 World Cup proof of their status as the world’s best team. Alyssa Healy’s team is packed with the world’s top batters, bowlers and all-rounders and will be the favourite to defend the title they won in South Africa.
India: The hosts came very close to lifting their first World Cup trophy in 2017, when they lost the final to England, and will look to go one better on home turf. India enjoy the services of arguably the world’s best batter in Smriti Mandhana, as well as some in-form bowlers and all-rounders. They have won 10 of their last 14 ODIs, including three against higher-ranked opponents.
Who are the players to watch at the Women’s World Cup?
Smriti Mandhana (India)
Deepti Sharma (India)
Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)
Sophie Ecclestone (England)
Megan Schutt (Australia)
Ellyse Perry (Australia)
Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)
Amelia Kerr (New Zealand)
Sidra Amin (Pakistan)
Nahida Akter (Bangladesh)
Smriti Mandhana has scored four ODI hundreds in 2025 [File: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images]
Which are the five best group-stage matches of the World Cup?
India vs Pakistan on October 5 at 09:30 GMT
India vs Australia on October 12 at 09:30 GMT
India vs England on October 19 at 09:30 GMT
Australia vs England on October 22 at 09:30 GMT
Australia vs South Africa on October 25 at 09:30 GMT
Who are the past champions of the Women’s World Cup?
1973: England
1978: Australia
1982: Australia
1988: Australia
1993: England
1997: Australia
2000: New Zealand
2005: Australia
2009: England
2013: Australia
2017: England
2022: Australia
What’s the prize money for the Women’s World Cup?
Total prize money for the tournament: $13.88m
Champions: $4.48m
Runners-up: $2.24m
Losing semifinalists: $1.12m each
Fifth and sixth place finishers: $700,000 each
Seventh and eighth place finishers: $280,000 each.
How can I buy tickets for the Women’s World Cup?
Tickets for all group-stage games are available on the ICC’s ticketing website, and prices start at $1.
Schoolchildren gather around the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Trophy in Colombo [Ishara S Kodikara/AFP]
Who: India vs Pakistan What: T20 Asia Cup 2025 final When: Sunday, September 28 at 14:30 GMT Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
India and Pakistan will face off in a high-stakes Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday, with political and on-field friction overshadowing their first title clash in the regional tournament.
Recommended Stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
Pakistan secured their place in the decider after edging past Bangladesh by 11 runs on Thursday, setting the stage for a blockbuster meeting with their neighbours and archrivals India.
Defending champions India were the first team to book a place in the final following their win over Bangladesh on Wednesday.
Suryakumar Yadav’s team finished their Super Fours campaign in a thrilling Super Over win over Sri Lanka on Friday.
Here’s what you need to know about the Asia Cup 2025 final:
What has caused the recent tension between India and Pakistan?
The showdown comes months after an intense four-day conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who have not played a bilateral series in more than a decade.
What happened in the last India vs Pakistan match?
Their most recent meetings in the group stage and Super Four round of this Asia Cup saw India win both matches, but their skipper Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with counterpart Salman Agha.
Players from both sides also skipped post-match handshakes after both fixtures.
What is India’s form at the Asia Cup?
They have won all six of their matches in this 17th edition of the Asia Cup, played in the T20 format, and are chasing a record-extending ninth title.
Opener Abhishek Sharma has been in scintillating form with successive half-centuries, while left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav leads the bowling charts with 12 wickets.
But their fielding has been suspect, with 12 dropped catches in the tournament so far.
Spinner Varun Chakravarthy blamed the “ring of fire” created by the stadium’s 350 floodlights for the butter-fingered display.
“We have to pick up our fielding, and definitely, the fielding coach has a lot to say,” Chakravarthy said.
India’s Hardik Pandya in action in the Super Fours meeting with Pakistan [Satish Kumar/Reuters]
What are Pakistan’s chances of beating India in the final?
Pakistan, two-time Asia Cup champions, will rely on their pace duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Rauf to provide early breakthroughs, while spinners Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz will aim to contain India’s powerful batting lineup.
Their batting, however, remains a concern after collapsing to 49-5 against Bangladesh before recovering to post 135-8, which proved to be a winning total.
Suryakumar downplayed the on-field rivalry after hammering Pakistan for the second time in the tournament, but coach Mike Hesson believes his team can throw up a challenge to the number one-ranked T20 side.
How many times have India and Pakistan won the Asia Cup?
Pakistan have lifted the trophy on two occasions – in 2000 and 2012 – and qualified for the final five times.
India are seven-time Asia Cup champions, with 11 appearances in the final.
When was the last time Pakistan beat India?
Pakistan’s last Asia Cup win over India came in the 2022 edition of the Asia Cup in the UAE. Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with 71 runs in the Super Four clash, but it was Mohammad Nawaz’s 20-ball 41 that saw Pakistan home.
India vs Pakistan: Head-to-head in T20Is
Since the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, the countries have met in 15 T20Is. India have won 12 times, including the first match in 2007, which was tied and then decided in a Super Over.
Two of Pakistan’s three wins came in Dubai.
Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi in action against India in the Super Fours match [Satish Kumar/Reuters]
Players to watch: India
Abhishek Sharma: The fact that the young top-order batter has managed to carve a spot in a highly competitive T20 Indian batting lineup marks Sharma as one to watch in the Asia Cup. The 24-year-old boasts the highest career strike rate of 198 among all batters in T20s, and backs it up with two centuries and five half-centuries in the format – three of those coming in his last three innings, including the Super Fours win against Pakistan.
Players to watch: Pakistan
Shaheen Shah Afridi: The former Pakistan captain has returned to form for his country and was the star turn in the crucial victory against Bangladesh. Although going wicketless in the two games against India at the tournament, the 25-year-old left-arm quick has taken eight wickets in the other three games, including his Player of the Match performance against the Tigers following figures of 3-17.
Form guide: India
India are unbeaten in the Asia Cup and have not lost a T20 series since winning the World Cup in June 2024.
Last five results (most recent first): W-W-W-W-W
Form guide: Pakistan
Pakistan’s form in T20s has been mixed for some time but at this edition of the Asia Cup, their only defeats have come against India, with four wins recorded overall at the tournament.
Last five results (most recent first): W-W-L-W-L
Team news: India
The holders are expected to go back to the same team that beat Pakistan in both the group and Super Fours stages.
Pakistan are expected to field the same XI that beat Sri Lanka.
Pakistan predicted line-up:
Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (captain), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
How can I follow and stream the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup final?
Al Jazeera Sport will have live build-up ahead of our comprehensive photo and text commentary stream of the final from 09:30 GMT.
The match will be shown live on terrestrial and satellite channels, as well as live-streaming platforms across the world.
How can I buy tickets for the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup final?
While tickets for the general stands are sold out, some are still available in the hospitality sections of the stadium, starting at $991 and can be purchased at the tournament’s official ticketing website.
Who: India vs Pakistan What: T20 Asia Cup Super Fours When: Sunday, September 21 at 14:30 GMT Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 09:30 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream.
It will be a case of “here we go again” as bitter rivals India and Pakistan meet on the cricket field for the second time in eight days at the T20 Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai.
Recommended Stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
The stakes will be higher this time as their clash on Sunday takes place in the Super Fours stage, and the winning side will take one step closer to the final, while the losers will move further away from the tournament decider.
India will start as favourites for multiple reasons, not least their seven-wicket thrashing of Pakistan in their Group A match on September 14.
In addition to their status as the ICC’s top-ranked men’s T20 team, Suryakumar Yadav’s side are the tournament’s defending champions and the reigning T20 champions.
For Pakistan, a lot more than two points will be on the line as they will look to put aside not only the embarrassing defeat but also events that transpired following their thumping loss, as India’s players walked off the field without partaking in the customary post-match handshake.
Here’s what you need to know about the match:
What happened in the last India vs Pakistan match?
India stamped their authority on the match with the first ball, as Pakistan’s opener Saim Ayub Ayub was caught out at point off Hardik Pandya’s bowling and wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris followed suit in the next over as India’s star bowler Jasprit Bumrah struck.
It wasn’t until Shaheen Shah Afridi and leg-spin bowler Sufiyan Muqeem hit four fours and two sixes that Pakistan crossed the 100-run mark in their 19th over and finished at 128.
The target was never going to be enough for a power-packed Indian batting lineup, and opener Abhishek Sharma took the match away from Pakistan with his belligerent innings of 31 runs off 13 balls.
Yadav followed suit with 47 runs off 37 balls as India won their second match of the tournament.
India walked away with two points and walked off without shaking hands with the Pakistan team, as is the norm after every cricket match.
Abhishek Sharma was India’s star batter in the match against Pakistan [Raghed Waked/Reuters]
What happened after the match?
Yadav walked off the field alongside his batting partner, Shivam Dube, without approaching the Pakistani captain and team for the traditional post-match handshakes.
Pakistan’s players trudged off in a group and waited for the Indian squad and support staff to come out and shake hands, as is the norm at the end of cricket matches.
However, the Indian contingent only shook hands with each other before walking into their dressing room and shutting the door as the waiting Pakistan players looked on.
India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav, left, and batting partner Shivam Dube, right, leave the field after their win in the Asia Cup cricket match against Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium [Fatima Shbair/AP]
Why did India’s players not shake hands with the Pakistani team?
“A few things in life are above sportsman’s spirit,” India’s captain Yadav said when asked to clarify his team’s actions.
“We stand with all the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and with their families, and dedicate this win to our brave armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor.”
Yadav was referring to the Indian armed forces’ multiple missile attacks on six locations inside Pakistan.
How did Pakistan respond?
Pakistan’s manager Naveed Akram Cheema lodged a protest against the Indian cricket team’s actions with Pycroft, who is an ICC accredited match referee.
Additionally, Pakistan captain Agha did not speak at the post-match captain’s chat with the host broadcaster, in a mark of protest.
Three days later, Pakistani officials deliberated pulling out of the tournament as a mark of protest, causing a delayed start to their match against the UAE.
Pakistan’s players arrived late for their match against the UAE [Altaf Qadri/AP]
Why is India ‘hosting’ the Asia Cup in the UAE?
India was slated to host the tournament as per the hosting rights schedule, and while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) remains the official host of the tournament, it is being played in the UAE due to the recent conflict between India and Pakistan.
What’s the weather forecast for India vs Pakistan in Dubai?
The weather forecast for Sunday is hot and humid, with highs of 41 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit) and partial cloud cover.
It will get slightly cooler in the evening as the match will start just after sunset, and the temperature will drop to 31C (88F).
India and Pakistan have mutually agreed to face each other only at neutral venues [File: Eranga Jayawardena/AP Photo]
How many times has Pakistan won the Asia Cup?
Pakistan have lifted the trophy on two occasions – in 2000 and 2012 – and qualified for the final five times.
India are seven-time Asia Cup champions, with 11 appearances in the final.
How many times has India beaten Pakistan in the Asia Cup?
In their 20 clashes in the Asia Cup, India have beaten Pakistan 11 times and lost to their neighbours on six occasions. Three matches, including the group-stage match in 2023, were abandoned due to poor weather.
When was the last time Pakistan beat India?
Pakistan’s last Asia Cup win over India came in the 2022 edition in the UAE. Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with 71 runs in the Super Four clash, but it was Mohammad Nawaz’s 20-ball-41 that took Pakistan over the line in the run chase.
Mohammad Rizwan was the top scorer in Pakistan’s win over India in 2022 [File: Satish Kumar/Reuters]
India vs Pakistan: Head-to-head in T20Is
Since the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, the countries have met in 14 T20Is. India has won 11 times, including the first match in 2007, which was tied and then decided in a Super Over.
Two of Pakistan’s three wins came in Dubai.
Players to watch: India
Abhishek Sharma: The fact that the young top-order batter has managed to carve a spot in a highly competitive T20 Indian batting lineup is enough to mark Sharma as one to watch in the Asia Cup. The 24-year-old boasts the highest career strike rate of 198 among all batters in T20s and backs it up with two centuries and half-centuries in the format.
Varun Chakaravarthy: The 34-year-old leg-spin bowler’s second foray into the Indian side has reaped him big rewards as he has taken 35 wickets in 20 T20I matches.
Players to watch: Pakistan
Hasan Nawaz: Pakistan have often been criticised for their batters’ inability to match modern-day T20 batting strike rates, but in Nawaz, they seem to have found a solution to this problem. The 23-year-old has a strike rate of 174, with a T20 hundred and two fifties in his 16 matches.
Sufiyan Muqeem: The left-arm wrist spinner has taken 27 wickets in his 19 T20Is since making his debut less than two years ago and has become a mainstay of the bowling lineup in limited-overs cricket.
Sufiyan Muqeem has become a mainstay of Pakistan’s bowling attack in T20Is [File: Rick Rycroft/AP Photo]
Form guide: India
India are unbeaten in the Asia Cup and have not lost a T20 series since winning the World Cup in June 2024.
Last five results (most recent first): W-W-W-W-W
Form guide: Pakistan
Pakistan’s form in T20s has been mixed of late and but they head into the marquee clash with a series win in the bag.
Last five results (most recent first): W-L-W-W-L
Team news: India
After resting a couple of their star bowlers in the game against Oman, the holders are expected to go back to the same team that beat Pakistan in the group stage.
Despite the loss on Sunday, Pakistan are expected to field the same XI and will hope the result goes their way this time.
Predicted XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Salman Agha (captain), Hasan Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem.
Where can I buy tickets for India vs Pakistan?
A selection of seats, starting at $95 apiece for the general stand and going up to $8,767 for a four-person hospitality box, is still available on the tournament’s official ticketing website, Platinumlist, and at the stadium’s ticketing office.
After selling out stadiums across the UK, Oasis are continuing to Japan, Brazil, Mexico and Australia, where fans including Natalie Slater from Preston, Lancashire, will watch the brothers
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Natalie Slater paid just £96 for an Oasis ticket
Oasis fans who missed the band’s UK comeback have found out how to see them live for just £96.
Natalie Slater is travelling halfway across the world to Australia in November, when she will watch Noel and Liam perform. After selling out stadiums across the UK, Oasis are continuing to Japan, Brazil, Mexico and Oz.
Unlike in the UK – where the band infuriated fans by relying on a pushy dynamic pricing platform that saw hardcores fork out hundreds of pounds for tickets – demand to see the Mancunian act is significantly lower in Australia.
In fact, there are still tickets available on a number of platforms to see Oasis live at Docklands in Melbourne and the Marvel Stadium in Sydney.
Oasis have now finished their UK tour(Image: Gareth Cattermole, Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Natalie, from Preston in Lancashire, explained: “I wasn’t able to get a ticket in the UK. They are so rare and expensive. It was just impossible. The only people I know who went bought their tickets on the secondary market.
“We’re in the North, so many of my friends thought it was a big cultural moment. But most of us couldn’t go and didn’t.”
Natalie took advantage of the fact a work trip to Australia aligns with the gigs. “The planets aligned. I think it’s a good cultural moment. I was a massive Oasis fan as a kid,” she explained.
“It is in a stadium, but I managed to get a seat that looks quite close to the front.”
Analysis by ethical ticket resale platform Twickets found that British fans can fly to Melbourne, watch the band live, and stay for five nights, all for under £900.
The breakdown
Return flights London–Melbourne 31 October – 5 November: £627
Five nights’ Melbourne house, double bedroom, via Airbnb: £106
Total: £867
For many UK fans, the idea of travelling abroad might seem extravagant, but with return flights to Australia currently lower than the rest of the year’s prices, the total package of flights, gig tickets, and accommodation comes in under £900.
That’s still less than the £1,000+ figures quoted for unofficial Oasis resale tickets, where buyers risk paying inflated prices with little protection if things go wrong. By contrast, tickets listed on Twickets are capped at face value or less, plus booking fee.
Richard Davies, founder of Twickets, said: “Fans shouldn’t have to remortgage their homes to see their favourite bands. Our research shows that you can fly halfway around the world, stay in a hotel, and see Oasis live, all for less than what touts are demanding for a single ticket here in the UK.”
When it comes to making travel plans for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, you may still be crouched at the starting blocks. But the race for flights, hotel reservations and event tickets will begin in 2026, long before the Games commence.
The Los Angeles Times is your guide to the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics. Follow us for expert coverage of every aspect of the LA28 Games.
If you’re planning to visit Southern California for LA28, preparation will be crucial. And a little positive thinking wouldn’t hurt. As Winnipeg-based sports tour operator Dave Guenther of Roadtrips says, the Olympic cycle often feels like “two or three years of cynicism followed by two weeks of unbridled joy.”
As the days tick down to the L.A. Olympics (July 14-30, 2028) and Paralympics (Aug. 15-27, 2008), we’ll be answering the most important travel questions. We’ll be adding updates as new information comes in, so be sure to bookmark this guide.
Getting tickets to the Games
The Coliseum during the opening ceremonies for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
(Los Angeles Times)
When will tickets for the Olympic Games go on sale?
Beginning in January, fans can register to enter the lottery for Olympic tickets at the organizing committee’s website, la28.org. If selected in the random draw, organizers say, fans will receive a purchase time and date for when ticket drops begin in spring 2026. Organizers say those in communities near Games venues will get early access. See a broader outline of LA28’s ticket schedule here.
Also in early 2026, LA28 will start offering hospitality packages that combine event tickets with overnight accommodations, transportation and/or special events. Tickets for the Paralympic Games will go on sale in 2027.
More details are expected later this year. Anyone interested can sign up to receive announcements through the LA28 newsletter.
What will tickets cost?
Organizers say Olympic and Paralympic competition tickets will start at $28, about $2 more than they did in Paris in 2024. We don’t know the high end yet. If Paris is a fair guide, most-coveted seats for the most popular events could be as high as $800 or more. The official vendors are also expected to manage a channel for resales of tickets, as they did in Paris.
Share via
The two most costly events are likely to be the opening and closing ceremonies. In Paris, per-ticket prices reached more than $2,900 for the opening, and more than $1,700 for the closing. In Los Angeles — for the first time — the opening ceremonies will be split between two venues, the L.A. Coliseum and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
Some of the toughest tickets, Guenther said, are gymnastics, swimming, track and field, and beach volleyball. “If you are super keen on seeing the women’s gymnastics finals, you might be on a path to disappointment,” Guenther said. “But if you’re flexible, there are a lot of things that are going to be options.”
The finish of the 400-meter hurdles at the 1932 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
(Associated Press)
Can I volunteer at the Games?
You can try. Recent Summer Olympics have relied upon tens of thousands of volunteers, who must meet language and training requirements. (Not every aspiring volunteer in Paris got assigned.) To stay in touch with volunteer opportunities, sign up for the LA28 newsletter.
Where will the Games happen?
The 2028 festivities will include 36 Olympic sports and 23 Paralympic sports, spread over about 40 venues. The lion’s share of Olympic events will take place in downtown L.A. and Exposition Park (which together have 10 venues); Long Beach (seven venues); Carson; Inglewood; the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys.
But events are also scheduled in San Clemente, Venice, Anaheim, Pacific Palisades, Pomona and the City of Industry. The Paralympics will use many of the same venues. Indeed, this could be a learning experience for out-of-towners who don’t realize just how broadly Greater Los Angeles sprawls.
The softball and canoe slalom events will be held in Oklahoma City.
Flights, hotels and Airbnbs
The $300-million Kali Hotel across from SoFi Stadium is expected to be completed before the 2028 L.A. Games.
(William Liang / For The Times)
How far ahead can I book flights?
Most airlines usually start accepting bookings 330 days (or 11 months) before the flight date. At Southwest Airlines, lead time can be eight to 10 months.
How far ahead can I book a hotel?
Ordinarily, hotels start accepting bookings 365 days ahead, so if you’re just looking for a room (and not a ticket-and-hotel package), set a reminder for around July 2027. Many hotels in Greater Los Angeles — especially those unaffiliated with global brands — are likely to follow their usual timetables. If you’re interested in a hotel-ticket combo deal, those will be offered in early 2026, as previously mentioned.
Industry veterans say most major hotels around Los Angeles have probably already made deals allotting blocks of 2028 rooms to organizers of the Games or independent tour operators like Roadtrips. For example, the Queen Mary in Long Beach already has 300 rooms and suites under contract with LA28, according to managing director Steve Caloca.
Another opportunity may arise even later: Typically, organizers and tour operators often return unsold room-nights to hotel control 60 or 90 days ahead of the event, which may give consumers a chance to book those “leftovers” directly, perhaps at a lower cost.
What will hotel rooms cost?
Nothing boosts hotel prices like the Olympics, and experts say the most luxurious hotels tend to hike their prices the most. Analyzing figures from Paris, hotel industry consultants CoStar found that average hotel rates — $342-$393 in the summer of 2023 — more than doubled to $731-$939 for the 2024 Games.
L.A.’s starting hotel rates are lower than those in Paris were. CoStar found that average daily hotel rates for greater L.A. from July 14-30, 2024, were $193-$231.
What about short-term rentals?
Again, expect prices to soar. Airbnb reported a 40% jump in accommodations inventory and a 400% jump in Paris-area bookings during the 2024 Games. On the eve of the Games, property management website Hostify.com reported that asking prices for short-term rentals in Paris had quintupled from $154 nightly to $772.
Do note that at every Games, it seems, there are reports of astronomical prices, followed by later reports of 11th-hour discounts because some people got too greedy earlier on.
Los Angeles seems to be starting out with higher short-term rental rates than those in Paris. The vacation rental website Airroi.com estimates the average Airbnb rate in greater Los Angeles for the year ended August 2025 was $283.
But of course, you can spend plenty more. One broker told The Times he has already rented out an L.A. mansion for $300,000 a month in 2028.
Will tensions between major L.A. hotels and union workers surface during the Olympics?
Hard to say. The L.A. City Council in May approved a measure requiring many hotels to raise their minimum wage to $30 hourly by July 2028. A business group started a petition drive seeking to undo the measure but fell short earlier this month.
Could President Trump’s immigration policies affect the Games?
That’s anybody’s guess. Heads of state in host countries usually play a ceremonial role, standing mostly in the background. Trump may have other ideas. In early August, he announced that he would chair a task force in charge of Olympic safety, border security and transportation.
Some foreign sports fans might stay away to signal opposition to the Trump Administration, as many Canadian travelers have been doing this year. But domestic travelers, not foreign visitors, fill most seats at the Olympics. Paris tourism statistics show U.S. visitors to that city during the 2024 “Olympic fortnight” were up a relatively modest 13% over the previous year.
Why do people go through so much trouble to see the Games?
“There is a tremendous magic,” Guenther said. “It really is quite something how people enjoy the time together with people from all over the world. … You find yourself welling up for an athlete in a sport you’ve never thought about.”
Times staff writer Thuc Nhi Nguyen contributed to this report.
After Paris sold a record 12 million tickets for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, the group organizing the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles is getting a head start on ticket sales.
General registration for 2028 Olympic tickets will open in January 2026, more than a full year ahead of the ticket timeline used during the Paris Games, LA28 announced on Wednesday. Tickets to the Paralympics — coming to L.A. for the first time — will go on sale in 2027.
Beginning next year, fans can register to enter the lottery for Olympic tickets at the organizing committee’s website la28.org. If selected in the random draw, fans will receive a purchase time and date for when ticket drops begin in spring 2026. Fans who are not selected for the first round of ticket drops will be automatically be entered into subsequent ones. LA28 officials plan to announce more information about the process later this year.
Single-event tickets will start at $28, with early access for locals around Olympic venue cities. In addition to major sports zones in Downtown L.A., Exposition Park, the Sepulveda Basin, Long Beach, Inglewood and Carson will host multiple Olympic events. L.A., Long Beach and Carson will host the majority of the Paralympic events.
“The LA28 Games will be an opportunity to purchase a ticket to history,” LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover said in a statement. “Whether you’re a local family attending your first Olympic or Paralympic event or a global traveler joining us for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, there really will be something for everyone across our suite of ticket options and hospitality packages.”
AXS and Eventim, which expanded their partnership with LA28, is the official ticket provider for the 2028 L.A. Olympics and Paralympics. Hospitality packages offered by On Location will be available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning in early 2026. The ticket-inclusive options include guaranteed accommodations, official LA28 transportation options and premium seating.
The Olympics begin on July 14, 2028, with a dual-venue opening ceremony at the Coliseum and SoFi Stadium. They close on July 30 at the Coliseum, while the Paralympics come to L.A. for the first time from Aug. 15-27.
The Paris organizing committee, which sold 9.5 million tickets for the Olympics and 2.5 million for Paralympics, didn’t begin its ticket registration process until November 2022, with the first, bundled ticket sales beginning in February 2023. The total number of tickets sold broke the previous record held by the London Olympics, which still holds the Paralympic record with 2.7 million tickets sold.
If you’ve been dreaming of a Scotland trip but haven’t had the budget for it, this cheap new route operated by the ‘Ryanair of trains’ might make your plans a reality
Lumo has announced a new route to Glasgow(Image: PA)
You could soon find yourself on a train from London to Scotland for a complete bargain.
Budget-friendly rail company Lumo has just announced a new line going straight from London King’s Cross to Glasgow Queen Street, which promises to be “fantastic value” for customers.
Lumo has previously been dubbed the ‘Ryanair of trains’, drawing comparison to several budget carriers due to its cheaper tickets, baggage limits and lack of first class.
Lumo has been dubbed the ‘Ryanair of trains’(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
The all-electric company already runs a direct line between Edinburgh and King’s Cross with one-way tickets costing as little as £49 if you book in advance (which can be even cheaper with a railcard).
The extension of the existing service, which has been approved by the ORR, will see Lumo provide two northbound services and one southbound service between London King’s Cross and Glasgow Queen Street on weekdays. They will also provide one in each direction on Sundays.
At present, the only direct rail service between London King’s Cross and Glasgow is by Avanti’s West Coast line, where an off-peak single ticket can cost as much £133, while passengers can see themselves paying out £208 in peak times.
Meanwhile, Lumo’s current Edinburgh-London service hovers just under or over the £50 mark for single tickets, depending on when you travel. While they haven’t set an exact fare for the Glasgow-London tickets, Lumo’s website promises passengers “fantastic value tickets, that don’t cost the earth or your wallet”.
Richard Salkeld, head of communications and partnerships at Lumo told Metro that most of its customers are travellers who want to journey between London and Glasgow but can’t afford extortionate rail prices.
He explained: “Lumo is an open-access operator, which means we take full commercial risk for running the services. We don’t get government or public subsidiary — we take on the risk and have to be confident that we can make it work, all while complementing the existing services that already run.
“Glasgow is somewhere we’re looking forward to serving, and we’re confident we can make it as successful as our London to Edinburgh route.”
Given that Lumo’s route between London and Edinburgh comes in at £49, with Glasgow’s stop coming after, customers can likely expect the tickets to be somewhat more expensive.
While Lumo does not call itself as a budget service, Consumer site Which? claims that the company’s prices and services can be compared to low cost airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet, due to the cheaper tickets, lack of first class carriages, no buffet cart, and baggage limits.
It is understood that Newcastle did not supply any tickets directly to the school group.
A similar number of students from the Dundee independent school previously took in Newcastle’s most recent Champions League game against AC Milan in 2023.
Regarding the Barcelona game tickets, a spokesman for the school said: “The High School of Dundee was approached by an approved provider and the tickets were bought as part of a group package.”
Buying tickets from sources other than directly from a club is not necessarily a new phenomenon in the game.
David Burt, a former Newcastle player, is a sports sales consultant at GB Sports Tours in north-east England.
Burt, who has “never been successful in the ballot” as a Newcastle fan, has seen it both ways.
“We have had school groups from up here in Newcastle and various areas going to Man City,” he said. “Sometimes they might be playing Newcastle or another good team and have said, ‘Can we get tickets for a game?'”
Newcastle season ticket holders were able to guarantee their ticket for all of the club’s Champions League home games by joining the cup scheme.
The rest were then split.
The supporters’ trust explained how some tickets were balloted and others were placed on general sale to those with a club membership – which costs £37 for an adult and £20 for a child – and to season ticket holders who did not enter the cup scheme.
Given the intense demand, it is perhaps not a surprise that the club are looking into either building a new stadium or increasing the capacity at St James’ Park.
NEWCASTLE UNITED supporters are fuming after 45 tickets for their clash with Barcelona were handed to a private school 184 miles away in DUNDEE.
The Magpies welcome the Spanish giants to St James’ Park next Thursday as they kick off their Champions League campaign in bumper fashion.
2
Newcastle fans are fuming ahead of the Champions League clash with BarcelonaCredit: George Wood/Getty Images
2
Newcastle fans are not happy that 45 tickets were handed to a private school 1in DundeeCredit: George Wood/Getty Images
Only a few lucky thousand managed to secure the hottest ticket in Toon as Newcastle United members entered the ballot in a huge scramble to try and secure a seat.
The membership, which costs £37 an adult and £20 a child each season, is a requirement in order to purchase tickets in ballots or queue sales.
Over 100,000 members were left disappointed as the final few tickets quickly sold out on Tuesday.
And that frustration turned to fury after it emerged 45 had somehow been given to the High School of Dundee, a private school in the Scottish city that costs pupils £20,606.40 a year to attend.
The shock news came to light in a social media post by the school offering a matchday trip by coach plus an overnight stay to students costing £295 per person.
Newcastle United Supporters Trust released a statement that said: “We have been inundated with messages regarding a school in Dundee being given 45 tickets for the Barcelona fixture.
“With >100k in today’s member sale queue and countless tickets on 3rd party sites at vastly inflated prices, we completely understand the ongoing frustration from our members and the wider fanbase.
“We have sent this to the club and continue to push for a response.”
Uefa also have a ticket allocation and their partners also have entitlements to tickets in the Champions League and the governing bodies’ other competitions.
Newcastle are yet to comment but SunSport understands the source of the school’s tickets is being looked into.
Sky Sports viewers ‘get motion sickness’ as Premier League adds new feature for Newcastle vs Liverpool coverage
SunSport has contacted the High School of Dundee for comment.
Newcastle return to action in the Premier League on Saturday when they host Wolves.
