Malaysia, Philippines dominate 2027 Moto4 Asia Cup selection list

Godzilla took over Dodger Stadium as the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their final regular-season home game with a special Godzilla Minus Zero Night. The Japanese icon made an appearance at the ballpark on Thursday as the Dodgers hosted the San Diego Padres, with the event held ahead of the release of the latest film in the long-running franchise. Ryunosuke Kamiki, who reprised the role as Koichi Shikishima after starring the Academy Award-winning Godzilla Minus One, was also on hand to throw the ceremonial first pitch.

 

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The Japanese actor was joined by Godzilla on the field, while the pair also posed for photos with Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell before the game. Fans were given their own piece of the occasion, with the first 40,000 in attendance receiving a special Godzilla Minus Zero bobblehead. The celebrations continued after the final out as drones lit up the sky above Dodger Stadium for a show celebrating the legacy of Godzilla. Godzilla Minus Zero Night was staged in partnership with Japanese entertainment company TOHO as part of the build-up to the next instalment in the franchise. The new film is set in 1949, two years after the events of its predecessor, and continues the story of the Shikishima family as Japan faces another threat from Godzilla. Godzilla Minus Zero will premiere at the 2026 New York Film Festival on September 26, and is scheduled to be released theatrically in Japan on November 3.

 

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Tijjani Reijnders defended his decision to leave Manchester City for the Saudi Pro League, admitting financial security was a major factor behind his move to Al Qadsiah. The Netherlands midfielder joined the Saudi club in August after just one season at City, signing a long-term deal with Brendan Rodgers' side.

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Speaking to Dutch broadcaster SBS6, Reijnders was candid about the financial benefits on offer and the opportunity to provide for his family beyond his playing career. “Once my playing career is over, I don’t want to have to work anymore,” he said. “Of course, I probably wouldn’t have needed to work anymore after my contract at Manchester City either, but this move allows me to secure the future of the next generations of my family. “By signing this contract, I can make sure even my grandchildren are financially secure, so why wouldn’t I do it? You can always play the moral crusader, but I think everyone would say yes to that." Reijnders added that his move was more than just the lucrative contract, pushing back against perceptions of the standard of football in Saudi Arabia. "I rate the Saudi league, with all those big names, even higher than the Eredivisie. If people want to pass judgment on the football there, they have to see it first,” he said. The former AC Milan midfielder also acknowledged concerns that moving to Saudi Arabia at the peak of his career could close the door on a future return to European football, but a conversation with Rodgers helped him. "I think many people have the idea that your career as a top footballer is over when you choose to take such a step. I had that feeling at first too,” he added. "He [Rodgers] said that I can play here perfectly fine for three or four years and then go back to Europe. There are plenty of examples of that now. That is also my goal."

Tottenham Hotspur chief Ryan Norys is among four senior executives joining MotoGP as the championship reshapes its management team ahead of the 2027 season. Norys will leave his position as Chief Revenue Officer at the Premier League club to become MotoGP's new Chief Commercial Officer. He has been with Tottenham since 2022, having previously worked at AS Roma, Manchester City and Miami Dolphins. His new role will put him in charge of MotoGP's commercial activities, covering areas such as sponsorship, licensing, hospitality and marketing.

 

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The championship has also turned to executives with backgrounds in Formula 1, NFL and UFC for three other senior appointments. Sameer Pabari has been named Chief Media Officer, bringing experience from the NFL, Warner Bros. Discovery and Manchester United. Louise Young, meanwhile, will become Chief Operating Officer after spending more than eight years at Formula 1, most recently as Chief Race Promotion Officer. The quartet is completed by new Chief Strategy Officer Denitza Batchvarova, who previously held a senior strategy and corporate finance position at TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC and WWE. MotoGP Deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta said the new hires bring expertise from some of the world's biggest sports and entertainment properties as the championship targets further international and commercial growth. The appointments are the latest changes to MotoGP's senior management, following Ezpeleta's promotion in August and Vince Russell's arrival as Chief Financial Officer in May. Enrique Aldama has also taken up the position of Chief Administrative Officer. The revamped leadership structure will work under long-serving CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta as MotoGP prepares for significant changes in 2027, including the introduction of 850cc engines and Pirelli replacing Michelin as the championship's tyre supplier.

The Valencia Grand Prix will once again bring the curtain down on the MotoGP season in 2027. MotoGP confirmed on Tuesday that Valencia will host the final round of next year's championship from November 26 to 28, continuing its long association with the season-ending slot.

 

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The event has been part of the Grand Prix calendar since 1999 and has become synonymous with title deciders and end-of-season celebrations, while its current agreement keeps it on the calendar until 2031. However, Valencia has not always occupied the final spot. In fact, there have been five seasons since its debut when the championship concluded elsewhere.

1999 - Argentina closes Valencia's debut season

Valencia was nowhere near the end of the calendar when it made its World Championship debut in 1999. The new venue hosted round 12 of the 16-race campaign on September 19, with Regis Laconi taking victory in the 500cc class. The paddock still had plenty of travelling ahead, with Australia, South Africa and Brazil following before the Argentine Grand Prix brought the season to an end in Buenos Aires on October 31.

2000 - Phillip Island gets final word

Valencia remained a September fixture for its second season on the calendar, again leaving several rounds to come after the Spanish stop. The September 17 race, won by Garry McCoy, was followed by trips to Rio de Janeiro and Motegi before the championship headed to Phillip Island, where the Australian Grand Prix staged the closing round on October 29.

 

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2001 - One last year before MotoGP era

The pattern continued in 2001, the final season before the introduction of the MotoGP class the following year. Valencia hosted round 12 on September 23, with four races still remaining across Japan, Australia, Malaysia and Brazil. The Rio Grand Prix eventually closed the campaign on November 3, but it would prove to be the last time for nearly two decades that Valencia was scheduled away from the final round.

2020 - Pandemic sends MotoGP to Portugal

It took the COVID-19 pandemic and a completely reshaped calendar to finally break Valencia's long run as the season-ending venue. Valencia staged two consecutive race weekends during the shortened campaign, culminating with the Valencia Grand Prix on November 15. MotoGP then travelled to Portimao one week later for the Portuguese Grand Prix, which brought the unusual 2020 campaign to a close. Despite not hosting the last race, Valencia was still the scene of the biggest celebration of the season as Joan Mir secured his first MotoGP world title.

2024 - Floods force finale switch to Barcelona

Valencia was supposed to close the season as usual in 2024, but circumstances far beyond racing forced MotoGP to change its plans. Devastating floods in the region led to the cancellation of the scheduled Grand Prix, leaving organisers searching for an alternative venue. Barcelona stepped in, with the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya hosting the newly named Solidarity Grand Prix of Barcelona on the original November 15-17 dates in support of those affected by the floods.