Capacity at Wembley Stadium increased to a record 96k for Riyadh Season Card boxing event

A sell-out crowd would set a record for a boxing event in the UK and post-war Europe, beating the 94,000 who saw Tyson Fury defeat Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April 2022, pictured. (AFP/File Photo)
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Updated 29 August 2024
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Capacity at Wembley Stadium increased to a record 96k for Riyadh Season Card boxing event

  • The original 94,000 tickets for the event in London sold out last week and organizers applied successfully to increase the crowd size
  • A sell-out crowd would set a record for a boxing event in the UK and post-war Europe, beating the 94,000 who saw Tyson Fury defeat Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April 2022

LONDON: Approval has been granted for crowd capacity at Wembley Stadium to be increased to a record 96,000 for the Riyadh Season Card — Wembley Edition boxing event next month.

In the headline bout on Sept. 21, two-time former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will take on champion Daniel Dubois for the International Boxing Federation world heavyweight title.

General admission tickets for what will be the first Riyadh Season boxing event held in London sold out last week, based on the original event capacity of 94,000, but now that organizers have received the green light to increase capacity at England’s national stadium, additional tickets will go on sale on Friday at 12 noon, UK time, on Ticketmaster.com.

A sell-out crowd of 96,000 fans at the London stadium would set a record in the UK and post-war Europe for a boxing event, surpassing the 94,000 who watched Tyson Fury knock out Dillian Whyte at the same venue in April 2022.

The Riyadh Season Card event in London features six all-British bouts. Musical entertainment will be provided by Liam Gallagher in his first live performance since the announcement this week that he and his brother Noel will embark on an Oasis reunion tour in 2025.

The rebuilt Wembley stadium opened in 2007 on the site of the original stadium. For football matches, it has an official capacity of 90,000, and the record attendance is 89,874 for the 2008 FA Cup final in which Portsmouth defeated Cardiff City 1-0. The largest crowd at an event of any kind at the stadium was 98,000 at an Adele concert in June 2017.

The record attendance at the old Wembley Stadium was 126,047, when Bolton Wanderers beat West Ham United 2-0 in the 1923 FA Cup final.


Smash GC announces 2026 LIV Golf roster as Harold Varner III joins lineup

Updated 22 January 2026
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Smash GC announces 2026 LIV Golf roster as Harold Varner III joins lineup

  • Talor Gooch-led team returns with lineup built for depth and competitiveness as LIV Golf kicks off new season in Riyadh

NEW YORK: Smash GC of the LIV Golf League today announced its official roster for the 2026 season with the addition of Harold Varner III. Varner joins newly minted captain Talor Gooch and returning veterans Jason Kokrak and Graeme McDowell.

The team blends winning pedigree, global experience and a competitive edge, reinforcing the team’s identity as one of LIV Golf’s most battle-tested lineups.

Varner, who made his LIV Golf debut in 2022, brings a mix of global experience and personal drive. He earned his first LIV Golf individual win in 2023 at LIV Golf DC after sinking a hole-out from the bunker for a birdie mid-round to claim a one-stroke victory. He joins Smash GC after a steady performance in 2025 with 4Aces GC, when he finished in the top 10 four times.

“Smash GC is a team that competes with confidence and edge,” Varner said. “I’m excited to join a group that believes in what it’s building and is focused on winning. I’m ready to get to work and contribute meaningfully in 2026.”

Gooch will lead Smash GC in 2026 after being officially named captain last December. One of LIV Golf’s most accomplished and consistent performers, he brings a performance-driven mindset and a deep understanding of team competition. He reunites with Varner after the two played together with RangeGoats GC during 2023, which was both Gooch’s and Varner’s most successful LIV Golf season.

In addition to Varner’s DC win, Gooch won three tournaments and the season-long individual championship. Rounding out the 2026 roster are Kokrak, who has delivered key individual and team performances throughout his LIV Golf tenure, and McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion and longtime Ryder Cup standout who brought steady play to the 2025 season combined with his experience, leadership and competitive instincts.

“Adding Harold to Smash GC is a big move for us, and I couldn’t be more excited to reunite with him in 2026,” Gooch said. “He’s proven he can compete at the highest level and, as captain, I’m excited about how he strengthens our lineup and pushes our standards forward. We’re building a team that expects to contend every week, and Harold is a big part of that.”

Smash GC enters the new season following a 2025 campaign defined by resilience and competitiveness. With strong team performances and consistent individual contributions, the club laid a foundation it now aims to build upon under refreshed leadership and a reinforced roster.