Premiership Rugby announced on Wednesday a new four-year deal to stage regular-season games in the U.S., starting with Saracens against Newcastle in Philadelphia on Sept. 16. The game, which will be played out of int'l rugby windows but will "land on an NFL and college football weekend," is a home fixture for Newcastle. The game will be played at Talen Energy Stadium (London GUARDIAN, 5/17).
The "long-rumored bout" between undefeated American boxing champion Floyd Mayweather and MMA champion Conor McGregor is "halfway to becoming a reality" after McGregor signed a deal for the fight. UFC President Dana White broke the news during a TV interview for TNT. White said, "The McGregor side is done, I'm starting to work on the Mayweather side now. I've got one side done. If we can come to a deal (with Mayweather) the fight will happen" (REUTERS, 5/18).
The qualifying tournament for the 2019 Cricket World Cup is "set to be moved to Ireland and Scotland next summer." The countries' joint bid is expected to be ratified at next month's Int'l Cricket Council board meeting, "significantly boosting the prospects of Ireland and Scotland reaching the main tournament." Hosting rights had previously been awarded to Bangladesh (London INDEPENDENT, 5/17).
Changes to the qualification process have been announced for the European Champions Cup rugby competition. Tournament organizer European Professional Club Rugby said that the top seven-ranked Pro12 clubs "this time next year" will qualify for the '18-19 tournament. Those qualifiers will be "regardless of country of origin, replacing the current format which requires that at least one club from each of Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales is included in the seven qualifiers" (HERALD SCOTLAND, 5/18).
A "secret meeting" has been held to discuss a "potential role" for Queenstown, New Zealand, in Int'l Cricket Council 2018 U19 Cricket World Cup matches. Queenstown Cricket Club Chair Clark Pirie said that the club "supports any steps by council" in getting matches to the resort (STUFF, 5/18).
Ironman announced the acquisition of two mountain bike stage events from Zubini Marketing & Management -- the Cape to Cape in Western Australia and the Port to Port in Newcastle, Australia (Ironman).
