Sports Ticker #138 - The IFR's new licensing landscape and darts debuts in Saudi - a speed read of commercial updates from the sports world

In a fortnight which saw Cape Verde celebrate a historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, the NFL's Broncos and Jets touchdown in London, and Coco Gauff capture a thrilling victory at the Wuhan Open, we bring you stories of innovation and expansion across the sporting world – from the IFR’s groundbreaking new licensing regime to darts’ Middle Eastern debut and the growing allure of celebrity-backed SailGP.

Independent Football Regulator rolls out robust reform regime
The new Independent Football Regulator (IFR) has unveiled plans for a mandatory licensing system that will apply to all 116 clubs across England’s top five men’s divisions starting in the 2027/28 season. As covered in Sports Ticker #133, the IFR has wide ranging powers and plans to exercise them to ensure greater financial sustainability in the men's game. To gain a licence, clubs must demonstrate sound financial management, meet governance standards, and consult with fans on key issues like ticket prices and club heritage. Clubs unable to show sustainable finances may be required to increase reserves or cut costs. Provisional licence applications will begin next season, marking what IFR chair David Kogan calls a “transformational change.” Clubs will also be expected to report publicly on a new code of governance. A seven-week consultation on the measures is now open, giving clubs just enough time to get their books in shape before the referee blows the whistle.

Viva la Revolut-ion: Rugby rebel R360 secures investment from banking chair
It has emerged that breakaway rugby union league R360 has secured the backing of Revolut chairman Martin Gilbert, after his name was identified as a director of AOTG Sport Ltd alongside founders Stuart Hooper and Mark Spoors. R360 plans to unite the women's and men's game under a US-style sports franchise model, with twelve city-based teams competing around the world across three months in a “Grand Prix-style” circuit. The shorter season is intended to avoid clashes with major international tournaments, but the International Rugby Players Association (IRPA) has advised players to exercise “extreme caution” if they consider joining the competition. Eight national rugby unions, including England and Australia, have stated that “participation in R360 would make [players] ineligible for international selection”. The league still hopes to launch in October 2026, with R360 responding that it will “look forward to submitting to the World Rugby Council for sanctioning next summer as planned”.

BBC Sport Scores Broadcast Deal for the UEFA Women’s Champions League
In a landmark agreement, BBC Sport has landed an exclusive free-to-air broadcast deal for the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Over the course of the five-year deal, the broadcaster will have the rights to show up to seven live matches per season across TV and BBC iPlayer, including the final. The partnership with UC3, the UEFA and ECA's joint venture responsible for handling the commercial rights of UEFA’s club competitions, is designed to “grow BBC Sport’s commitment to showcasing the incredible talent and excitement of the women’s game”. BBC Sport has emphasised that fans will benefit from a multi-platform, digital-first approach, gaining direct access not only to live broadcasts but also to the best moments, goals, and highlights via BBC Sport’s digital platforms and social media.

Littler leads as darts goes larger: World Darts confirms Saudi debut
Quick on the heels of boxing, snooker and mixed martial arts, the PDC has announced that darts will head to Saudi Arabia for the first time in January 2026. In a collaboration between Matchroom Sport and Riyadh Season, the Saudi capital will host the World Series of Darts, featuring as one of six initial venues confirmed for the 2026 roadshow. Chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alashikh, previously spoke of wanting to do darts “in a crazy way” and was responsible for introducing the “20-point golden ball rule” in the 2025 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters (which saw players who potted a golden ball after a 147-break earn a £395,000 bonus). Current World Champion Luke “The Nuke” Littler is expected to participate and will hope to replicate his success in last weekend's World Grand Prix, where the eighteen-year-old cruised to victory by a margin of 6-1 over world number one Luke Humphries. Hopefully, the tournament will be a success across the board!

Grand Slam Track secures comeback stack
Following a tumultuous few months, Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track (GST) has secured emergency funding with a view to reviving the upstart track event, which was postponed following financial difficulties suffered during its inaugural season (see Sports Ticker #135 for more). At its inception, GST offered race winners up to $100,000 in prize money, in addition to lucrative salaries for its roster of contracted athletes and was set to distribute up to $12.6 million in winnings during its first year alone. However, the event was cut short prior to completing its debut season after concerns arose around GST’s ability to pay its athletes, and was shortly thereafter placed on indefinite hiatus. GST operations manager Karen Taylor stated that the funding marked “the beginning of Grand Slam Track's reboot” and apologised for frustrations caused. The event hopes to return next year, seeking a second shot at glory. 

and finally...

…Russell Courts founded SailGP to make grand prix sailing commercially viable, and celebrity stakes from Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, and others suggest he’s succeeded. SailGP's high-speed sailing league now fields 12 national teams, with franchise values soaring from $5m to $75m in three years. Its cutting-edge tech, 60mph races in iconic locations, and celebrity backing have attracted audiences and sponsors far beyond traditional sailing. The Spain Sail Grand Prix on 5 November 2024 drew 1.78 million CBS viewers, with Coutts noting 85% of the audience comes from a non-sailing background. As views and valuations climb, more celebrities and brands are expected to jump aboard.