Here are the top sports stories and upcoming coverage plans for Reuters text service as of 6:30 p.m. GMT/ 2:30 p.m. ET . For a full schedule of news and events, go to our editorial calendar on Reuters Connect.

TOP STORIES

PEOPLE-GEORGE-FOREMAN

George Foreman, heavyweight champ and purveyor of grills, dies at 76

March 21 (Reuters) - American George Foreman, one of the great second acts in sports, who reclaimed the heavyweight boxing title at age 45 and became a celebrated product pitchman, died on Friday at age 76.

TENNIS-MIAMI

Goffin stuns Alcaraz, Djokovic makes winning Miami return

March 21 (Reuters) - Carlos Alcaraz fell 5-7 6-4 6-3 to Belgian David Goffin in the Miami Open second round on Friday while Novak Djokovic tied Rafa Nadal for most ATP Masters 1000 match wins and Russia's Mirra Andreeva took another step toward a 'Sunshine Double'.

MOTOR-F1-CHINA

Piastri takes first pole in China after sprint second

SHANGHAI, March 22 (Reuters) - McLaren's Oscar Piastri seized the first proper pole position of his Formula One career at the Chinese Grand Prix on Saturday with the fastest lap yet around the Shanghai International Circuit.

UPCOMING

SPORTS

ICEHOCKEY-NHL-MIN-BUF/ (PIX) 

Hockey - NHL - Minnesota Wild v Buffalo Sabres

2024-25 NHL Season (Regular Season) - Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota

22 Mar 14:00 ET / 18:00 GMT

ICEHOCKEY-NHL-DAL-PHI/ (PIX) 

Hockey - NHL - Dallas Stars v Philadelphia Flyers

2024-25 NHL Season (Regular Season) - American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas

22 Mar 14:00 ET / 18:00 GMT

SOCCER-UEFANATIONS-GER-ITA/PREVIEW $(TV)$ 

Soccer - UEFA Nations League - Italy press conference

Italy hold a press conference ahead of the second leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Germany in Dortmund.

22 Mar 14:15 ET / 18:15 GMT

SOCCER-USA-CIN-ATL/ (PIX) 

Soccer - MLS - FC Cincinnati v Atlanta United

2025 MLS Season (Regular Season) - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

22 Mar 14:30 ET / 18:30 GMT

SOCCER-UEFANATIONS-NLD-ESP/ 

Soccer - Nations League - Netherlands press conference

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman holds a press conference on the eve of the second leg of their Nations League quater-final, second leg clash against Spain

22 Mar 14:30 ET / 18:30 GMT

SOCCER-WORLDCUP/AFRICA 

Soccer - World Cup qualifiers

A wrap up of Africa's World Cup qualifiers on Saturday (kick off times GMT):

Togo v Mauritania, Lome (16h00)

Sudan v Senegal, Benghazi (Libya) (1900)

22 Mar 15:00 ET / 19:00 GMT

MMA-UFC-UFCFIGHTNIGHT/ (PIX) 

Mixed Martial Arts - UFC Fight Night - London - Edwards v Brady

UFC Fight Night - Edwards v Brady - O2 Arena, London

22 Mar 15:00 ET / 19:00 GMT

ICEHOCKEY-NHL-STL-CHI/ (PIX) 

Hockey - NHL - St. Louis Blues v Chicago Blackhawks

2024-25 NHL Season (Regular Season) - Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri

22 Mar 15:00 ET / 19:00 GMT

ICEHOCKEY-NHL-NYI-CGY/ (PIX) 

Hockey - NHL - New York Islanders v Calgary Flames

2024-25 NHL Season (Regular Season) - UBS Arena, Elmont, New York

22 Mar 16:00 ET / 20:00 GMT

ICEHOCKEY-NHL-LAK-CAR/ (PIX) 

Hockey - NHL - Los Angeles Kings v Carolina Hurricanes

2024-25 NHL Season (Regular Season) - Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California

22 Mar 16:00 ET / 20:00 GMT

SOCCER-USA-MIN-LA/ (PIX) 

Soccer - MLS - Minnesota United v LA Galaxy

2025 MLS Season (Regular Season) - Allianz Field, Saint Paul, Minnesota

22 Mar 16:30 ET / 20:30 GMT

BASKETBALL-NBA-IND-BKN/ (PIX) 

Basketball - NBA - Indiana Pacers v Brooklyn Nets

2024-25 NBA Season (Regular Season) - Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

22 Mar 17:00 ET / 21:00 GMT

ICEHOCKEY-NHL-WSH-FLA/ (PIX) 

Hockey - NHL - Washington Capitals v Florida Panthers

2024-25 NHL Season (Regular Season) - Capital One Arena, Washington, District of Columbia

22 Mar 17:00 ET / 21:00 GMT

ICEHOCKEY-NHL-UTA-TBL/ (PIX) 

Hockey - NHL - Utah Hockey Club v Tampa Bay Lightning

2024-25 NHL Season (Regular Season) - Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah

22 Mar 17:00 ET / 21:00 GMT

SAILING-SAILGP-SANFRANCISCO/ (PIX) (TV) 

Sailing - SailGP - San Francisco Sail Grand Prix

San Francisco hosts the latest round of the 2024-25 SailGP season.

22 Mar 17:30 ET / 21:30 GMT

ICEHOCKEY-NHL-MTL-COL/ (PIX) 

Hockey - NHL - Montreal Canadiens v Colorado Avalanche

2024-25 NHL Season (Regular Season) - Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec

22 Mar 19:00 ET / 23:00 GMT

BASKETBALL-NBA-ATL-GSW/ (PIX) 

Basketball - NBA - Atlanta Hawks v Golden State Warriors

2024-25 NBA Season (Regular Season) - State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia

22 Mar 19:00 ET / 23:00 GMT

ICEHOCKEY-NHL-NSH-TOR/ (PIX) 

Hockey - NHL - Nashville Predators v Toronto Maple Leafs

2024-25 NHL Season (Regular Season) - Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee

22 Mar 19:00 ET / 23:00 GMT

ICEHOCKEY-NHL-NJD-OTT/ (PIX) 

Hockey - NHL - New Jersey Devils v Ottawa Senators

2024-25 NHL Season (Regular Season) - Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey

22 Mar 19:00 ET / 23:00 GMT

SOCCER-USA-ORL-DC/ (PIX) 

Soccer - MLS - Orlando City v D.C. United

2025 MLS Season (Regular Season) - Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida

22 Mar 19:30 ET / 23:30 GMT

SOCCER-USA-CLB-NYC/ (PIX) 

Soccer - MLS - Columbus Crew v New York City Football Club

2025 MLS Season (Regular Season) - Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio

22 Mar 19:30 ET / 23:30 GMT

SOCCER-USA-PHI-STL/ (PIX) 

Soccer - MLS - Philadelphia Union v St. Louis City SC

2025 MLS Season (Regular Season) - Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania

22 Mar 19:30 ET / 23:30 GMT

SOCCER-USA-NYRB-TOR/ (PIX) 

Soccer - MLS - New York Red Bulls v Toronto FC

2025 MLS Season (Regular Season) - Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, New Jersey

22 Mar 19:30 ET / 23:30 GMT

SOCCER-USA-CLT-SJ/ (PIX) 

Soccer - MLS - Charlotte FC v San Jose Earthquakes

2025 MLS Season (Regular Season) - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

22 Mar 19:30 ET / 23:30 GMT

BASKETBALL-NBA-NYK-WAS/ (PIX) 

Basketball - NBA - New York Knicks v Washington Wizards

2024-25 NBA Season (Regular Season) - Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

23 Mar 20:00 ET / 00:00 GMT

ICEHOCKEY-NHL-VGK-DET/ (PIX) 

Hockey - NHL - Vegas Golden Knights v Detroit Red Wings

2024-25 NHL Season (Regular Season) - T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada

23 Mar 20:00 ET / 00:00 GMT

SOCCER-USA-NSH-MTL/ (PIX) 

Soccer - MLS - Nashville SC v CF Montreal

2025 MLS Season (Regular Season) - GEODIS Park, Nashville, Tennessee

23 Mar 20:30 ET / 00:30 GMT

SOCCER-USA-SKC-LAFC/ (PIX) 

Soccer - MLS - Sporting Kansas City v Los Angeles Football Club

2025 MLS Season (Regular Season) - Children's Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas

23 Mar 20:30 ET / 00:30 GMT

SOCCER-USA-RSL-DAL/ (PIX) 

Soccer - MLS - Real Salt Lake v FC Dallas

2025 MLS Season (Regular Season) - America First Field, Sandy, Utah

23 Mar 21:30 ET / 01:30 GMT

SOCCER-USA-COL-POR/ (PIX) 

Soccer - MLS - Colorado Rapids v Portland Timbers

2025 MLS Season (Regular Season) - Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado

23 Mar 21:30 ET / 01:30 GMT

ATHLETICS-WORLD/ (PIX) (TV) 

Athletics - World Indoor Championships

Day three of the World Athletics Indoor Championships which take place at the Cube Gymnasium in the Nanjing Youth Olympic Sports Park.

23 Mar 22:00 ET / 02:00 GMT

ICEHOCKEY-NHL-EDM-SEA/ (PIX) 

Hockey - NHL - Edmonton Oilers v Seattle Kraken

2024-25 NHL Season (Regular Season) - Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta

23 Mar 22:00 ET / 02:00 GMT

BASKETBALL-NBA-SAC-MIL/ (PIX) 

Basketball - NBA - Sacramento Kings v Milwaukee Bucks

2024-25 NBA Season (Regular Season) - Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California

23 Mar 22:00 ET / 02:00 GMT

ICEHOCKEY-NHL-SJS-BOS/ (PIX) 

Hockey - NHL - San Jose Sharks v Boston Bruins

2024-25 NHL Season (Regular Season) - SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, California

23 Mar 22:30 ET / 02:30 GMT

SOCCER-USA-SEA-HOU/ (PIX) 

Soccer - MLS - Seattle Sounders FC v Houston Dynamo FC

2025 MLS Season (Regular Season) - Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington

23 Mar 22:30 ET / 02:30 GMT

SOCCER-USA-VAN-CHI/ (PIX) 

Soccer - MLS - Vancouver Whitecaps FC v Chicago Fire FC

2025 MLS Season (Regular Season) - BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia

23 Mar 22:30 ET / 02:30 GMT

BASKETBALL-NBA-LAL-CHI/ (PIX) 

Basketball - NBA - Los Angeles Lakers v Chicago Bulls

2024-25 NBA Season (Regular Season) - Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California

23 Mar 22:30 ET / 02:30 GMT

MOTOR-RALLY-KENYA/ (TV) 

Rallying - World Rally Championship - Safari Rally Kenya

The fifth and final day of the Safari Rally Kenya - the third round of the World Rally Championship.

23 Mar 23:30 ET / 03:30 GMT

GOLF-CHAMP-HOAG/ 

Golf - Champions - Hoag Classic

Day three of the Hoag Classic at Newport Beach Country Club in California. Coverage provided by Field Level Media.

23 Mar

GOLF-DPWORLD-SINGAPORE/ 

Golf - DP World - Porsche Singapore Classic

Day four of the Porsche Singapore Classic in Laguna National Golf Resort Club at Singapore.

23 Mar

GOLF-LPGA-SERIPAK/ 

Golf - LPGA Tour - Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship

Day four of the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship at the Palos Verdes GC in California. Coverage provided by Field Level Media.

23 Mar

GOLF-PGA-VALSPAR/ 

Golf - PGA Tour - Valspar Championship

Day four of the Valspar Championship at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbour, Florida. Coverage provided by Field Level Media.

23 Mar

MOTOR-F1-CHINA/ (PIX) (TV) 

Motor racing - Formula One - Chinese Grand Prix

Shanghai hosts the Chinese Grand Prix - the second race of the 2025 Formula One world championship.

23 Mar 03:00 ET / 07:00 GMT

TENNIS-MIAMI/ (PIX) (TV) 

Tennis - ATP Masters 1000 - Miami Open

Day five of the Miami Open - an ATP Masters 1000 tournament.

23 Mar 06:00 ET / 10:00 GMT

RUGBY UNION-SUPER/ 

Rugby - Super Rugby - Round Six

We wrap up the sixth weekend of action in the 2025 Super Rugby season.

23 Mar 06:30 ET / 10:30 GMT

SOCCER-WORLDCUP/AFRICA 

Soccer - World Cup qualifiers

A wrap up of Africa's World Cup qualifiers on Sunday (kick off times GMT):

Eswatini v Mauritius, Nelspruit (South Africa) (1500)

Kenya v Gabon, Nairobi (15h00)

23 Mar 11:00 ET / 15:00 GMT

TENNIS-MIAMI/ (PIX) (TV) 

Tennis - WTA 1000 - Miami Open

Day six of the Miami Open - a WTA 1000 tournament.

23 Mar 11:00 ET / 15:00 GMT

SOCCER-ENGLAND-AVL-MUN/REPORT (PIX) 

Soccer - England - Women's Super League - Aston Villa v Manchester United

Aston Villa play Manchester United in the Women's Super League, and we will wrap up the rest of the weekend's action.

23 Mar 12:30 ET / 16:30 GMT