Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.
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UPCOMING
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BKL--WNBA FINALS-REESE TAKEOVER
DESCRIPTION: Angel Reese knew she had to take over in these physical WNBA Finals if the Dream were going to grab back any momentum from the Golden State Valkyries to take back to Atlanta for Game 3. Now that her team has finally won its first Finals game after an 0-10 showing, spanning three previous trips, Reese realizes the defense and grit it will take to slow own Gabby Williams and Golden State in the best-of-seven series. By Janie McCauley. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/20/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text, FilePhoto
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GYM--WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the men’s team final at the 2026 world gymnastics championships. Japan and China renew their rivalry at the 2026 world gymnastics championships. 300 words.
UPCOMING: By 10/20/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
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FBN--49ERS-ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTION: The San Francisco 49ers are off to a 6-0 start after holding on against the Washington Commanders after nearly blowing a 20-point lead. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 700 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/20/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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FBC--BIG 12’S UNDEFEATED TRIO
DESCRIPTION: Texas Tech is among three undefeated Big 12 teams, getting to 6-0 again in a different way. Texas Tech is in the same position midway through another season. The No. 8 Red Raiders just got to 6-0 again a bit differently than a year ago on way to their first Big 12 Conference championship. They are among the league’s three undefeated teams, joining No. 2 BYU and No. 10 Utah. By Stephen Hawkins. 800 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/20/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text, FilePhoto
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BBO--POSTSEASON
DESCRIPTION: Coverage of Major League Baseball’s postseason.
FORMATS: Text
1. WITH: BBO--RAYS ADVANCE
2. DESCRIPTION: The Tampa Bay Rays and their low payroll and small-ball style are heading to the World Series seeking the first championship in franchise history. By Rob Maaddi. 550 words, photos.
3. SENT: By 10/20/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT
4. WITH: BBO--RAYS-HOW THEY WERE BUILT
5. DESCRIPTION: The Rays have one of the lowest payrolls in the majors but are back in the World Series for the second time in seven years thanks to smart decisions, excellent coaching and unselfish players who do whatever it takes to win. By Rob Maaddi. 600 words, photos.
6. UPCOMING: By 10/20/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT
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BKO--BIG 12 MEDIA DAYS
DESCRIPTION: The first of two Big 12 media days takes place for men’s and women’s college basketball teams at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. By Dave Skretta. 700 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/20/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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BKN--76ERS-KNICKS
DESCRIPTION: Lebron James makes his Philadelphia debut when the 76ers visit the New York Knicks in the teams’ NBA season opener. By Brian Mahoney. Game starts at 7 p.m. EDT
FORMATS: Text, Photo, Audio
7. WITH: BKN--KNICKS-CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS
8. DESCRIPTION: The Knicks received their NBA championship rings in a pregame ceremony at Madison Square Garden. By Brian Mahoney.
9. UPCOMING: By 10/20/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT
10. WITH: BKN--76ERS-LEBRON’S DEBUT
11. DESCRIPTION: LeBron James makes his highly anticipated debut with the 76ers when Philadelphia opens the season at storied Madison Square Garden. By Dan Gelston.
12. UPCOMING: By 10/20/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT
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BKN--THUNDER-SPURS
DESCRIPTION: The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the San Antonio Spurs. The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the San Antonio Spurs to open the season in a rematch of last year’s epic Western Conference Finals. 250 words, more on merit. Game starts at 9:30 p.m. EDT.
UPCOMING: By 10/20/2026 11:55 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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CAR--F1-RWANDA-AFRICA SPORTS
What F1’s return to Africa means for a continent long overlooked by global sports
SUMMARY: Though human rights groups call it sportswashing, analysts say Formula 1’s choice of Rwanda to host its first African race since the 1990s can become a watershed moment for the continent’s sports industry – if it can deliver lasting development. Rwanda President Paul Kagame last week announced the 10-year deal for an African Grand Prix from the early 2030s. Kagame said the grand prix could pave the way for other races and serve as a catalyst for sports across Africa. Rwanda last year hosted the road cycling world championships. This year Senegal hosted the Youth Olympic Games – the first ever Olympic event in Africa. And in 2030 Morocco will co-host the men’s World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
WORDS: 1345 - MOVED: 10/20/2026 1:06 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fa337121a010ee21959c60763a48c71a&mediaType=text
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BBO--BREWERS-MURPHY’S COLLEGE YEARS
Brewers manager Pat Murphy’s former college players say his MLB success hasn’t surprised them
SUMMARY: Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy spent over a quarter-century coaching college baseball with lengthy stops at Notre Dame and Arizona State. His former college players say the approach Murphy has taken to get the Brewers to their first World Series since 1982 is similar to the formula he used at the college level. Murphy may have tempered his approach since making a cold call to then-Notre Dame athletic director Gene Corrigan and talking his way into the Fighting Irish coaching job at the age of 28. But his knack for getting players to believe remains as strong as ever.
WORDS: 1492 - MOVED: 10/20/2026 12:36 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b954ca1bb77f7f492a54d22332bdca1d&mediaType=text
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GLF--ON THE FRINGE-NEWCOMERS
A cancer survivor and a man with an arm full of tattoos among the Korn Ferry graduates to PGA Tour
SUMMARY: The latest class of Korn Ferry Tour graduates to the PGA Tour represents a little bit of everything. Ian Gilligan survived a rare form of leukemia when he was 15. Hunter Eichhorn grew up in a tiny Michigan village of 182 people and learned golf on a nine-hole public course that only accepted cash in an honor box. Then there’s the pedigree of 6-foot-9 Tommy Morrison and Scotland’s Sandy Scott, who is married to a Ladies European Tour player. They were at PGA Tour headquarters for orientation and some shared their tales as they prepare for their rookie year.
WORDS: 1320 - MOVED: 10/20/2026 12:31 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:20de5c1eb002bc882d6bdd0d15c3d5f6&mediaType=text
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BKW--T25-WOMENS POLL
South Carolina is No. 1 in women’s preseason AP Top 25, followed by UConn and USC
SUMMARY: South Carolina is ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press preseason Top 25 women’s basketball poll. The Gamecocks received 23 first-place votes from a 31-member national media panel. UConn, USC, Duke and Michigan round out the top five. This marks the fifth time in seven years that Staley’s team has been ranked No. 1 in the preseason. South Carolina will face five ranked teams in the first month, including UConn, USC, and Duke. UConn, which lost to South Carolina in the Final Four last season, garnered six first-place votes. Southern California picked up the other two.
WORDS: 730 - MOVED: 10/20/2026 12:00 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:03d95695b9ea06f8bde1b88c32cef9c0&mediaType=text
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BKN--76ERS-LEBRON’S DEBUT
LeBron James is set to open his 24th season in New York when his 76ers visit the Knicks
SUMMARY: LeBron James is opening his record 24th NBA season at Madison Square Garden but wearing a Philadelphia 76ers uniform. His agent, Rich Paul, said over the summer that James would have chosen the New York Knicks if they hadn’t won the NBA championship last season. The 76ers are debuting a potent lineup Tuesday night, including James and newcomer Jaylen Brown, alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Fans are eager to see how these stars will coexist. Philadelphia is buzzing with excitement, and James’ presence has captivated the city. Knicks coach Mike Brown praised James’ incredible career longevity. Will be updated from game that starts at 7 p.m. EDT.
WORDS: 581 - MOVED: 10/20/2026 10:46 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b6c9211be53c93ddca644533dae75ce7&mediaType=text
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BKL--WNBA FINALS-ANTHEM EXPLAINER
WNBA Finals and the national anthem: The rules and why some teams stay on the court and others don’t
SUMMARY: Fans who don’t usually watch the WNBA might be asking why the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream weren’t on the court during the playing of the national anthem ahead of Game 1 or 2 of the league’s championship series. Their absence created somewhat of a stir on social media. However, it’s been common practice for many WNBA teams over at least the past six seasons to leave the court with 10 minutes left in pregame warmups — right before “The Star-Spangled Banner” is played. Teams have left to raise awareness for social justice issues or simply to continue to get ready for the game.
WORDS: 514 - MOVED: 10/20/2026 10:10 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b4c1533903a91bef9b48a2274799b154&mediaType=text
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FBN--BEHIND THE CALL
Wins have been hard to come by at SoFi for both tenants with Rams, Chargers a combined 1-5 at home
SUMMARY: The Rams and Chargers each had high hopes for playing on their home field in Super Bowl 61 at SoFi Stadium, but things aren’t going as planned. The Rams, led by Matthew Stafford, were favorites with a strong offense and defense. The Chargers, with coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert, had good odds, too. However, both Los Angeles teams are struggling. The Chargers are 0-6, dealing with injuries and poor performance. Harbaugh is re-evaluating everything, including his staff. The Rams also face challenges, with kicker issues and a recent loss to the Arizona Cardinals, who have two wins at So-Fi Stadium, one more than its two tenants combined.
WORDS: 967 - MOVED: 10/20/2026 6:02 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1c8742fc9e7c1b098946b524c0e189e0&mediaType=text
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BKN--NBA-THINGS TO KNOW
NBA to open season with 125 international players on rosters. France, Canada lead the way
SUMMARY: San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama isn’t the only reason why French fans will be watching the NBA this season. Far from it. The opening night rosters in the NBA have been turned in — and there are 17 French players on those lists, the most of any international land. Canada, which has had more player representation than any other country outside of the U.S. over the last several years, has 16 players on opening night rosters. In all, there are 125 international players from a record-tying 43 countries on rosters to open this season.
WORDS: 972 - MOVED: 10/20/2026 6:01 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8f770d7a5335d8140c5763ad9fc60458&mediaType=text
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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUNDUP
PSG takes on Barcelona in Champions League highlight despite French protests
SUMMARY: In a test for both teams and the strained French police, Paris Saint-Germain hosts Barcelona in a Champions League showcase against the backdrop of violent unrest across France. PSG and Barcelona head the standings though Liverpool or even surprising Stuttgart could end Tuesday on top of the table. The PSG-Barcelona game and other European competition games in France were allowed by the government on Monday to go ahead. Manchester City aims to get back on track after last week’s PSG loss when it faces Greece’s AEK Athens.
WORDS: 250 - MOVED: 10/20/2026 4:26 a.m. EDT. Will be updated.
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ae7a72eb28ace53d2f9ebbf47f41d988&mediaType=text
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SOC--INFANTINO-IN JAPAN
Infantino set to take his FIFA reelection campaign to Japan to court Asian soccer federations
SUMMARY: Gianni Infantino’s campaign for reelection as FIFA president moves this week to Japan and a meeting with the Asian Football Confederation. Wednesday’s meeting comes after Infantino apologized last week in Zurich, Switzerland, to FIFA’s 37-member ruling council — which he chairs — for “mistakes” he made in assembling a now-scrapped $4.2 billion sell-off plan for the World Cup. The meeting with Asian football leaders is to be held in an upscale hotel in Tokyo.
WORDS: 475 - MOVED: 10/20/2026 4:16 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f4dedc95e220d1d97b2000bf0ac1e8f6&mediaType=text
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MOVING TOMORROW
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BKC--ALL-AMERICA TEAM
The AP releases its preseason All-America team for men’s college basketball around noon EDT.
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FBN--INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The NFC East has traditionally been the marquee division in the NFL with established big brands with histories of success. The division that features Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington and the New York Giants is the only in the league with all four teams having won a Super Bowl, with the 14 combined titles being four more than the next best division. But no division has ever had a two-week run as bad as the NFC East, which became the first division ever to have every team play in back-to-back weeks with none winning. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow.
