Four sports. One unforgettable weekend. Formula One fires up a brand new era in Melbourne, the FA Cup fifth round serves up giant-killing drama, Six Nations rugby could crown a champion at Murrayfield — and Cheltenham is four days away. Your bets won't place themselves.
🏎️ FORMULA ONE — AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
SEASON OPENER | ALBERT PARK, MELBOURNE
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The wait is over. F1 2026 has arrived, and it's the biggest reset in the sport's history. Brand new cars, brand new power units, no DRS — replaced by "Overtake Mode" — and active aerodynamics that will completely change racing as we know it. Melbourne's Albert Park hosts the first lap of what promises to be a spectacular new era.THE BIG CHANGES: Smaller, lighter cars. Overtake Mode (usable within 1 second of a rival, replacing DRS). Active front and rear wings. New hybrid power units. Two new teams in Cadillac and Audi. It's a genuine reset — the form book is out the window.Lando Norris arrives as defending World Champion — can the McLaren man back it up under all-new rules? Lewis Hamilton makes his much-anticipated Ferrari debut, George Russell starts as pre-season favourite for Mercedes, and Max Verstappen is chasing a fifth title with a revitalised Red Bull.
SATURDAY 7 MAR | Qualifying — Sky Sports F1
SUNDAY 8 MAR | Race — 4am UK time, Sky Sports F1
| Highlights free on Channel 4
Early start but absolutely worth setting the alarm — the first laps of a new F1 era don't come around often.
⚽ FA CUP FIFTH ROUND
GIANT KILLERS WELCOME
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The FA Cup doesn't get much better than this. Eight fifth-round ties across the weekend, with League One Mansfield Town hosting Premier League leaders Arsenal as the standout upset special. The Stags knocked out Burnley in round four — now they've earned themselves a genuine shot at history at the One Call Stadium.
Elsewhere, Newcastle host Man City in a blockbuster at St James' Park, Wolves take on Liverpool in Friday's opener, and Wrexham face Chelsea in a tie with Hollywood written all over it.
FRI 8PM Wolves vs Liverpool Molineux
SAT TBC ★ Mansfield Town vs Arsenal One Call Stadium
SAT 8PM ★ Newcastle vs Man City St James' Park
SAT TBC Wrexham vs Chelsea Racecourse Ground
SUN 12PM Fulham vs Southampton Craven Cottage
SUN 4:30PM Leeds United vs Norwich City Elland Road
SUN TBC West Ham vs Brentford London Stadium
SUN TBC Port Vale vs Sunderland Vale Park
Winners bank £238,500 and earn a quarter-final place. The Mansfield vs Arsenal tie has upset written all over it — these are the same Stags who knocked out Burnley, a Premier League side, in the last round. Never write off the FA Cup.
🏉 SIX NATIONS — ROUND FOUR
THE TITLE COULD BE DECIDED THIS SATURDAY
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Saturday's Six Nations action is unmissable. Scotland host France at Murrayfield knowing that the defending champions only need a bonus-point win to seal the title with a round to spare. Antoine Dupont's France have been imperious all tournament — but Murrayfield is never a comfortable away day, and Scotland are second in the table.
Later in the afternoon, England travel to Rome to face Italy — a must-win clash after England's title challenge fell apart last time out. Both games are free to air.
FRI 8:10PM Ireland vs Wales Aviva Stadium, Dublin | ITV
SAT 2:10PM Scotland vs France ★ Murrayfield, Edinburgh | BBC
SAT 4:40PM Italy vs England Stadio Olimpico, Rome | ITV
The title could effectively be France's by Saturday evening. Scotland will make them work for it — this is the game of the weekend for rugby fans.
🐎 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL COUNTDOWN
FOUR DAYS TO GO — GET ON ANTE-POST NOW
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Cheltenham Festival starts Tuesday 10 March. This is your last weekend to get on the big ante-post markets before prices tighten and the nation's attention locks onto Prestbury Park. Four days, 28 races, and more drama than a Netflix series.
GOLD CUP EARLY MARKET — Friday 13 March
6/1 Gaelic Warrior Joint favourite
6/1 The Jukebox Man Harry Redknapp's pride and joy
6/1 Jango Baie Joint favourite
7/1 Galopin Des Champs 2022 & 2023 Champion
8/1 Inothewayurthinkin Defending champion
The Champion Hurdle is also wide open with Constitution Hill absent — The New Lion leads the market at 2/1 but it's anyone's race. Four days of unmissable action start Tuesday 10 March from 1:20pm, free on ITV.
