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New York Knicks win NBA championship for first time in over 50 years

The New York Knicks won the National Basketball Association championship for the first time in over 50 years, sending the city and fans into a frenzy after the long-awaited victory.The Knicks clinched the title on Saturday night against the San Antonio Spurs, 94-90, in the fifth game of the best-of-seven series.While the game was in Texas, New Yorkers took to their hometown streets in droves to watch and celebrate the milestone for fans and the city.Some fans also made their way to Texas where the two teams faced off at the Frost Center, the Spurs' home arena.Elizabeth Madigan flew to San Antonio from New York Friday night ahead of Saturday's game."I've been waiting for this, honestly most of my life. The last time the Knicks won, I was 6 months old, and so I can't begin to describe how excited I am. It's been unbelievable," she said."I definitely had my doubts. But we did pull it off. Knicks forever."This season has represented a stunning reversal of fortune for the Knicks after decades as one of the worst teams in the league. The last time they made it all the way to the finals was in 1999, also against the Spurs, who ultimately beat them. Their last finals win was even earlier, in 1973.They held a 3-1 lead in the series heading into Saturday's game.One fan who only gave his first name, Max, said that winning the game away from the Knicks' home arena in New York, Madison Square Garden, isn't important."I don't think it matters [that they won in Texas]. New York is going crazy right now and there's a million Knicks fans here right now, so it doesn't matter.US President Donald Trump posted congratulations to the team and Knicks owner Jim Dolan, who invited him to game 3 of the series in New York."What a year it has been but, even more so, what incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four - Maybe the greatest in the history of basketball," the post read.Fans' anticipation before the game was like a champagne bottle about to pop."This city is electric," said Jake Minicucci, while waiting with friends at a Manhattan sports bar for the game to start. "I've never gotten so many head nods, everybody knowing we are in it for the Knicks together."The 50-plus year drought was very much on the minds of some Knicks fans including Daniel Brown who said the evening had the potential "to be one of the best nights in the history of this city.""I've lived here all my life, I've never experienced anything like this," said the 24-year-old.Fans celebrated into the early hours Sunday morning with crowds taking over parts of Midtown Manhattan, including several blocks near Times Square. Some subway lines were altered with trains skipping stations due to the large crowds."HISTORY," New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote on social media."Through near misses, heartbreak and a hope that every year could be our year, this city never stopped believing in the Knicks," a statement from the mayor obtained by BBC news partner CBS said.A ticker-tape parade and ceremony at City Hall to celebrate the team's victory is scheduled for Thursday.Ahead of the game, Mamdani said in a post that the city was working with the Knicks to host watch parties at the Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Wollman Rink."As we celebrate, be responsible, look out for one another, stay safe, be smart, and make this a night that reflects the very best of our city," the mayor said.His call for safety came after a few instances of violence in New York against Spurs fans, including one assault that landed a fan in the hospital and another in which a fast food worker wearing a Spurs jersey was attacked, according to local reports.Madigan said that in San Antonio, even as a Knicks fan, she felt welcome."Honestly, the San Antonians have been so loving and welcoming despite the obvious competition," she said.Ahead of Saturday's Game 5, fans travelling to San Antonio from New York for the game were furious about possibly getting locked out of the arena.In a note on its website for the game, Ticketmaster said purchases by those living farther than 150mi (241km) from the San Antonio arena would be cancelled and refunded without notice.Later Ticketmaster assured fans that no tickets purchased on its platform "have or will be canceled".

14-06-2026 12:04

New York Knicks win NBA championship for first time in over 50 years

The New York Knicks won the National Basketball Association championship for the first time in over 50 years, sending the city and fans into a frenzy after the long-awaited victory.The Knicks clinched the title on Saturday night against the San Antonio Spurs, 94-90, in the fifth game of the best-of-seven series.While the game was in Texas, New Yorkers took to their hometown streets in droves to watch and celebrate the milestone for fans and the city.Some fans also made their way to Texas where the two teams faced off at the Frost Center, the Spurs' home arena.Elizabeth Madigan flew to San Antonio from New York Friday night ahead of Saturday's game."I've been waiting for this, honestly most of my life. The last time the Knicks won, I was 6 months old, and so I can't begin to describe how excited I am. It's been unbelievable," she said."I definitely had my doubts. But we did pull it off. Knicks forever."This season has represented a stunning reversal of fortune for the Knicks after decades as one of the worst teams in the league. The last time they made it all the way to the finals was in 1999, also against the Spurs, who ultimately beat them. Their last finals win was even earlier, in 1973.They held a 3-1 lead in the series heading into Saturday's game.One fan who only gave his first name, Max, said that winning the game away from the Knicks' home arena in New York, Madison Square Garden, isn't important."I don't think it matters [that they won in Texas]. New York is going crazy right now and there's a million Knicks fans here right now, so it doesn't matter.US President Donald Trump posted congratulations to the team and Knicks owner Jim Dolan, who invited him to game 3 of the series in New York."What a year it has been but, even more so, what incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four - Maybe the greatest in the history of basketball," the post read.Fans' anticipation before the game was like a champagne bottle about to pop."This city is electric," said Jake Minicucci, while waiting with friends at a Manhattan sports bar for the game to start. "I've never gotten so many head nods, everybody knowing we are in it for the Knicks together."The 50-plus year drought was very much on the minds of some Knicks fans including Daniel Brown who said the evening had the potential "to be one of the best nights in the history of this city.""I've lived here all my life, I've never experienced anything like this," said the 24-year-old.Fans celebrated into the early hours Sunday morning with crowds taking over parts of Midtown Manhattan, including several blocks near Times Square. Some subway lines were altered with trains skipping stations due to the large crowds."HISTORY," New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote on social media."Through near misses, heartbreak and a hope that every year could be our year, this city never stopped believing in the Knicks," a statement from the mayor obtained by BBC news partner CBS said.A ticker-tape parade and ceremony at City Hall to celebrate the team's victory is scheduled for Thursday.Ahead of the game, Mamdani said in a post that the city was working with the Knicks to host watch parties at the Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Wollman Rink."As we celebrate, be responsible, look out for one another, stay safe, be smart, and make this a night that reflects the very best of our city," the mayor said.His call for safety came after a few instances of violence in New York against Spurs fans, including one assault that landed a fan in the hospital and another in which a fast food worker wearing a Spurs jersey was attacked, according to local reports.Madigan said that in San Antonio, even as a Knicks fan, she felt welcome."Honestly, the San Antonians have been so loving and welcoming despite the obvious competition," she said.Ahead of Saturday's Game 5, fans travelling to San Antonio from New York for the game were furious about possibly getting locked out of the arena.In a note on its website for the game, Ticketmaster said purchases by those living farther than 150mi (241km) from the San Antonio arena would be cancelled and refunded without notice.Later Ticketmaster assured fans that no tickets purchased on its platform "have or will be canceled".

14-06-2026 12:04

Watch: "Crazy" Trick Used to Bypass Alcohol Restrictions at the World Cup

A Mexican fan has become the talk of the 2026 World Cup, which is being co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, after cameras caught him drinking alcohol during the tournament's opening match at Azteca Stadium. He had concealed the drink inside a container designed to look like a mobile phone, successfully fooling event organizers.The international football governing body, FIFA, imposes strict restrictions on alcohol consumption inside stadiums. However, the Mexican fan managed to circumvent those rules during the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.Cameras captured the fan sitting among the spectators before revealing what appeared to be a mobile phone. Moments later, he was seen taking a sip of his alcoholic beverage. The incident sparked widespread criticism of the organizers at Azteca Stadium, with many questioning how the fan was able to enter the venue without a thorough security check.Watch the attached video for more.

14-06-2026 11:08

Canada Claims First World Cup Point in Bosnia Draw

Cyle Larin scored the equalizer in the 78th minute to help Canada earn its first-ever point at the FIFA World Cup on Friday with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium.Larin, who entered the game as a substitute just moments earlier, fought off two defenders near the top of the penalty area and beat Nikola Vasilj in the low corner. Jovo Lukic scored his first international goal for Bosnia-Herzegovina in the 21st minute. He flicked a header past goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau off a corner kick.A capacity crowd of 43,002 — many sporting red Canada jerseys — were in strong voice as they tried to lift the home side, which was repeatedly stifled by the taut Bosnia-Herzegovina defence. Larin finally sent the spectators into a tizzy with his tying goal.Canada was winless in both previous appearances at the World Cup. The team will now head to Vancouver for group-stage games against Qatar on Thursday and Switzerland on June 24. With star left back Alphonso Davies out with a hamstring issue, Stephen Eustaquio wore the captain's armband for Canada.Coach Jesse Marsch slotted Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi up top in his starting 11. Defender Luc de Fougerolles was on the back line with Moïse Bombito available off the bench.   Conditions were idyllic at the new-look stadium with a temperature of 26 C at kickoff under mostly sunny skies. Temporary grandstands were added at two sides of the lakefront stadium to bring capacity up to the FIFA minimum. Actor Will Arnett and singer Michael Bublé helped warm up the crowd before the game and Alanis Morissette sang O Canada.With the partisan crowd buzzing, Canada earned the first corner kick in the opening minute but couldn't take advantage.Bosnia-Herzegovina, ranked 64th in the world, played its usual physical brand of soccer and was effective in cutting off Canadian crosses.The visitors nearly had a break after some sloppy midfield play in the 11th minute. A hard tackle by Alistair Johnson prevented an opportunity but the defender was given a yellow card.Canada's first chance came six minutes later when David was left open near the penalty spot but Vasilj made a diving save.Bosnia-Herzegovina took advantage of its first corner kick as Lukic — getting the start over Bosnian legend Edin Dzeko — caught Crepeau too close to the post. Two sections of Bosnia-Herzegovina fans in the grandstand above the goal erupted while Lukic was swarmed by his elated teammates.Canada, ranked 30th, controlled possession for the rest of the half but couldn't put a shot on target. Oluwaseyi had the best chance but his shot from inside the 18-yard box sailed over the bar.Bosnia-Herzegovina's Ermedin Demirovic and Lukic picked up yellow cards just before the half.Both teams pressed after the break with Canada's Richie Laryea nearly notching the equalizer. After a nifty passing play, he beat Vasilj but the ball deflected off Sead Kolasinac's outstretched leg and hit the crossbar.Demirovic was sent in alone moments later but Crepeau made a diving challenge and the ball dribbled wide.Marsch made a triple substitution in the 61st minute, hoping to give his team a spark. Jacob Shaffelburg, Promise David and Ali Ahmed came on for Liam Millar, David and Tajon Buchanan.Canada defeated Uzbekistan 2-0 and tied Ireland 1-1 in international friendlies last week. Bosnia-Herzegovina qualified for the tournament by upsetting Italy in a European qualifier last March. The tournament continues through to the final on July 19.

13-06-2026 12:12

Knicks Fans Go Wild as New York Team Makes Biggest Comeback in NBA Finals History

A star-studded crowd saw the New York Knicks record the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history on Wednesday night, beating the San Antonio Spurs by one point in the last 1.2 seconds of the game, after trailing by 29 points.It was game four of the feverish best-of-seven NBA Finals – the first finals the Knicks have hosted in 27 years.The final score of 107-106 means the Knicks now enjoy a 3-1 lead and are just one win away from a famous series victory.Famous and not so famous fans erupted in chants of "O-G! O-G!" for player OG Anunoby, who scored the winning three points. Taylor Swift, Timothee Chalamet and director Spike Lee were all watching in the Madison Square Garden stadium.New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted on X in all caps, "SPEECHLESS", while Swift, who was wearing a T-shirt that said "Stevie Knicks" – a play on the name of the team and the Fleetwood Mac frontwoman – jumped for joy as she left the court, stopping to be twirled by one of the Knicks City Dancers.Knicks coach Mike Brown OG Anunoby's move "has to be the most iconic shot in the history of New York basketball," Brown said. "It was just unbelievable."This season has represented a stunning reversal of fortune for the Knicks who haven't been in the finals since 1999, when they lost to the Spurs. New Yorkers have been out in the streets celebrating each win."The city is electric," a fan told the BBC earlier in the week. New York has been decorated in a Knicks theme from the top of the Empire State Building to the paws of the marble lions outside the New York Public Library's Fifth Avenue branch."I can't say I've ever seen anything like this before because in 1999 I was 4 years old. I'm just trying to soak it all in," Resident Sol, 31, told the BBC earlier this week, saying he couldn't be more excited.After Wednesday's result, the team need to win just one more game to win the national championship for the first time since 1973. Their first chance will come on Saturday night, when they will play Game five in San Antonio.But comebacks can work both ways – San Antonio may be the new underdogs, but they could still win, if they take the next three matches.

11-06-2026 11:28

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Madonna, Shakira, BTS to Headline First World Cup Final Half-Time Show

Madonna, Shakira and K-pop megastars BTS will headline a Super Bowl-style half-time show at the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, FIFA said Thursday.Coldplay's Chris Martin is curating the show, which is a first for a football World Cup final but has raised concerns about how long half-time will be.The biggest-ever World Cup, with 48 teams, kicks off on June 11 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced in March last year that there would be "the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final".He did not say at the time who would be performing or how long the show would last."This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world," he said on Instagram.The move mirrors the show held during the final of the 2024 Copa America in Miami, when Colombian star Shakira performed at half-time at the Hard Rock Stadium.There was also a half-time show at last year's FIFA Club World Cup final, also at MetLife Stadium, which stretched the break in excess of the regulation 15 minutes.Infantino added that FIFA also planned to "take over" New York's Times Square on the final weekend of the World Cup.The half-time extravaganza will support FIFA's Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise $100 million for children worldwide during the World Cup.Shakira last week teased the new official song for the World Cup, releasing a brief video of the track filmed at Brazil's iconic Maracana Stadium.The singer -- who also created the 2010 World Cup anthem "Waka Waka" -- announced the song, titled "Dai Dai" in a post on her Instagram account.In the 67-second video, Shakira appears on the pitch at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, where she performed in a free concert at the city's Copacabana Beach before two million people.Holding the "Trionda", the official match ball of the 2026 World Cup, Shakira performed excerpts of the song in English, joined by dancers dressed in the colors of teams including the United States and Colombia.The song was produced with Nigerian artist Burna Boy and is set for official release on Thursday. The clip, also shared by the FIFA World Cup account, ends with the message: "We're ready!"Shakira has a long association with the World Cup, performing at the 2006 and 2014 World Cup finals in addition to producing "Waka Waka" for the 2010 tournament.

14-05-2026 11:03

Messi And Ronaldo Get Ready For Sixth And Final FIFA World Cup

Lionel Messi’s career seemed complete after he led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup, but the motivation to keep playing is still there for him and his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the duo prepare to make history at this year’s tournament in North America.This will be the last dance for Messi and Ronaldo, who will become the first players to appear in six different World Cups, 20 years on from their fresh-faced debuts at the finals.They have since become icons far beyond the football pitch, two of the most recognisable people on the planet as they head into middle age and contemplate retirement.Messi appeared to suggest that there would not be much point in carrying on after he skippered Argentina to victory in Qatar.“Obviously I wanted to finish my career with this. I can’t ask for any more,” he said after dragging Lionel Scaloni’s side to victory over France on penalties in that World Cup final in Doha.“My career is coming to an end because these are my final years. What more could there be after this?”Plenty more, it turns out.Messi was in the middle of an underwhelming spell at Paris Saint-Germain then, and six months later he departed for Major League Soccer.There he is excelling with Inter Miami, with whom he won the MLS Cup last year.He might no longer be playing at the very highest level every week, but he remains crucial for Argentina.The Barcelona legend captained his country to victory at the Copa America in the US in 2024, and was the top scorer in South American World Cup qualifying.“I love playing football, and I’m going to do it until I can’t any more,” he said recently.At one stage there were some doubts as to whether he would play at another World Cup, a tournament he first graced in 2006, when aged 18 he scored in a 6-0 demolition of Serbia and Montenegro in Gelsenkirchen.“I will do everything to make sure he is there,” insisted Scaloni, with Messi now just two games away from reaching 200 caps.He is set to add to his record of 26 appearances in World Cup matches, including their run to the 2014 final in Brazil.Messi has 13 World Cup goals, meaning Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 is within striking distance, especially as Argentina’s group opponents do not appear the toughest.They will begin against Algeria and Austria before tackling Jordan in Dallas, three days after Messi’s 39th birthday.He has a couple of years on Ronaldo, but the 41-year-old Portuguese talisman was determined to carry his international career on in the hope of landing the ultimate prize.Ronaldo was a teenager when he lost the Euro 2004 final with Portugal on home soil, but he made up for that by captaining them to victory at Euro 2016.Yet the World Cup has proven harder, at least after Portugal got to the 2006 semi-finals.Portugal have won only one World Cup knockout match since, when they hammered Switzerland 6-1 in 2022 with Ronaldo dropped to the bench.Roberto Martinez became coach after that and restored Ronaldo as the first-choice striker, which he remains despite not scoring at Euro 2024 when Portugal lost in the last eight.He is the most-capped men’s player of all time with 226 international appearances, and the former Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar is now set to win the Saudi title with Al Nassr.Ronaldo confirmed recently this would be his last World Cup, insisting: “I’m going to be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment.”Portugal, who go into a group with Colombia, Uzbekistan and DR Congo, are genuine contenders to win it even if there are doubts as to whether Ronaldo is holding back a talented squad.Personally, Ronaldo will be seeking to add to his eight World Cup goals, and finally get a first in the knockout stages.“He is more than just a football player, but for the national team that is all he is,” said Martinez in an interview with Portuguese broadcaster RTP.“He is the captain and he shows exemplary commitment to his country. He is incredible.”Lifting the World Cup at 41 would be quite the way for Ronaldo to finish -- and if both Portugal and Argentina top their groups, he and Messi would be on course to meet in the quarter-finals in Kansas City on July 11.

16-05-2026 11:54

FIFA chief wishes Iran ‘the very best’ ahead of the FIFA World Cup

Gianni Infantino has wished the Iranian football team “the very best” for the upcoming World Cup in North America.“I wish 🇮🇷 IR Iran the very best as they embark on their fourth successive FIFA World Cup campaign,” Infantino wrote in a social media post.Iran will play their first match against New Zealand on June 15 in California, US.Iran’s Football Federation earlier asked FIFA to relocate its fixtures to Mexico over security concerns amid the war. However, FIFA rejected the plea, stating that logistics could not be changed this close to the tournament.

10-05-2026 13:34

FIFA Boss Infantino Faces Questions on Eve of World Cup

Infantino is likely to face tough questions about sky-high ticket prices and an immigration crackdown that has seen a top referee, fans and team officials barred from co-hosts the United States.The head of world football's governing body will give a rare press conference in Mexico City, where co-hosts Mexico play South Africa on Thursday in the opening match at the Estadio Azteca.The 2026 men's World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams and is the biggest and most ambitious in the event's history, with matches also taking place in Canada.But the refusal of US immigration authorities to allow Somali referee Omar Artan, one of Africa's leading match officials, into the country underlined fears that Donald Trump's immigration policy could leave deep scars on the football extravaganza.Artan said the "biggest dream of my life" had been ripped away after he was turned back at the US border."I am very, very disappointed," Artan told The New York Times."I'm just simply a referee who's trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup."Artan, who was named the 2025 men's referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football, would have been the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup.He said he was subjected to an 11-hour interview with border officials at Miami International Airport and then detained for several further hours in a holding cell before being put on a flight back to Turkey."I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa," he added -- an assertion confirmed to AFP by a Somali government advisor.A US State Department official alleged to AFP that the referee was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations", therefore "making the traveler ineligible for admission to the United States".Artan returned to a hero's welcome in Mogadishu and vowed to take part in the next tournament in 2030."I will be at the next World Cup and will continue to make Somalia proud... Despite what has happened to me, I am not discouraged," Artan told more than 100 supporters and journalists at Mogadishu's main airport.Meanwhile, concerns were rising that the curtainraiser in Mexico City could be disrupted by social unrest.Protesters Tuesday blocked an avenue leading to the Estadio Azteca although lines of police prevented the demonstrators from reaching the stadium.Thousands took part in the demonstration following a week of action that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has called a "provocation."Sheinbaum has said that the opening match was "guaranteed," though the left-leaning leader again ruled out using police to repress the demonstrations.On the pitch, Argentina's superstar Lionel Messi scored moments after coming off the bench on Tuesday to dispel any injury doubts and help the holders win their final warm-up game.The 38-year-old Messi had not featured for Argentina in the build-up to their title defence after injuring a hamstring playing for Inter Miami in late May.He was introduced as a substitute with 20 minutes left to huge acclaim from a capacity 88,000 crowd against Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, and his clever through ball played in Lautaro Martinez, who was fouled in the box.Messi, who drove Argentina to their third World Cup crown in Qatar four years ago and is set to feature in his sixth World Cup, lashed in the penalty to help the reigning champions ease to a 3-0 win.Argentina's first match is on June 16, against Algeria in Kansas City.Along with Spain, France and England, Argentina are among the favourites to win the title.Messi is set to feature in his sixth World Cup.

10-06-2026 16:46

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