Let the next lot of games begin
The Olympic Games is done for another four years but there is still plenty of action for sports fans to feast on this month. Phillip Rollo looks at what’s next.
All Blacks in the Rugby Championship
The All Blacks face an uphill battle to retain the Rugby Championship after suffering a shock early loss to Argentina in Wellington last weekend.
Scott Robertson’s team play the Pumas in a rematch at Eden Park in Auckland this Saturday before heading to South Africa for two matches against the world champion Springboks. The All Blacks finish the tournament with home and away Bledisloe Cup tests against the Wallabies, the last of which will be back in Wellington on September 28. When to watch it: August 10-September 28. Where to watch it: Sky Sport.
America’s Cup
Emirates Team New Zealand will be looking to defend the Auld Mug in foreign waters when Barcelona hosts the 37th America’s Cup from August to October.
The preliminary races next week will provide viewers with the first glimpse of the new AC75 boats before Team New Zealand put the America’s Cup on the line against the winner of the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series in three months’ time. When to watch it: August 23-October 20. Where to watch it: Stuff, Three and ThreeNow.
English Premier League
Can anyone stop Manchester City? The new Premier League football season kicks off this Saturday morning (NZT) with a match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford.
Manchester City are chasing a fifth consecutive EPL crown, All Whites striker Chris Wood will once again fly the flag for New Zealand at Nottingham Forest, and Liverpool have a new manager at the helm in Arne Slot. When to watch it: August 17-May 26. Where to watch it: Sky Sport.
US Open tennis
The fourth and final Grand Slam of the year begins at Flushing Meadows in New York on August 27. Novak Djokovic and Coco Guaff are the defending singles champion, while New Zealand tennis player Erin Routliffe is aiming to do the double in the women’s doubles after winning with Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski last year. When to watch it: August 27-September 8. Where to watch it: TVNZ.
Paralympic Games
The show will go on in Paris with the Paralympic Games starting in the French capital from August 28. New Zealand won 12 medals at the last Paralympics in Tokyo in 2021, including six golds. The country is sending a 25-strong team this year.
Two-time long jump champion Anna Grimaldi will be one to watch. When to watch it: August 28-September 8. Where to watch it: TVNZ.
Shaun Johnson farewell tour
Retiring Warriors star Shaun Johnson will play his last game at Mt Smart Stadium when the Warriors host the Bulldogs in the penultimate round of the NRL season on August 23.
The NRL season concludes with a grand final on October 4. When to watch it: August 23. Where to watch it: Sky Sport.