It is a special week in the NFL calendar and approaching crunch time in English soccer — and we at The Athletic are ready to cover all the drama with this week’s super schedule of live coverage.
The fun begins on Thursday with this year’s NFL Draft as the nation’s pro teams look to write wrongs, strengthen weaknesses or simply give their fans something to smile about, thanks to the best young and raw football talent available.
Speaking of the NFL Draft, if you haven’t already taken in Dane Brugler’s latest annual opus then make sure you check out The Beast 2026 right here.
The round ball then takes center stage over the weekend as the world’s oldest club competition, the FA Cup, reaches its last four.
You can share your views, predictions and questions throughout too. Simply email live@theathletic.com — and your responses could feature in our coverage, so stay tuned and get involved.
Here is the full live schedule for this week through Sunday, April 26.
Thursday, Apr. 23
NFL Draft — First round
Will Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese come in as first pick? Will Fernando Mendoza’s National Championship with Indiana fling him to the top of the pile? And where will the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals look as they open the draft with the first three selections — and in that order?
There is nothing quite like first-round night of the NFL Draft, this year being held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Bring on the intrigue, tears, special handshakes, commissioner boos and the one prospect that is somehow made to wait until Friday for his next move. Speaking of which …
Friday, Apr. 24
NFL Draft — Rounds 2 and 3
Yes, our NFL Draft coverage continues on Friday with the second and third rounds. We will bring you every insight into the selections being made, as well as further reaction from Round 1.
Erling Haaland and Manchester City are in action in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley this weekend. (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Saturday, Apr. 25
NFL Draft — Rounds 4 to 7
The NFL Draft wraps up with the final four rounds on Saturday, at which point we could see a lowly pick in Pittsburgh that goes down in history as a true steal. One to rival selections such as Tom Brady (sixth round, 2000), Shannon Sharpe (seventh round, 1990) and Marques Colston (seventh round, 2006).
Sunday, Apr. 26
FA Cup semi-final: Chelsea vs Leeds
Premier League title-chasing Manchester City are still in contention for a treble of silverware this season. They face in-form Championship promotion hopefuls Southampton at Wembley on Saturday in the first semi-final of this season’s FA Cup.
Following that are the fellow English top-flight duo of Chelsea and Leeds, meeting on the same hallowed turf the following day.
Daniel Farke’s Leeds are looking good for survival on their Premier League return, and an FA Cup final appearance would far exceed expectations. As for Chelsea’s turbulent season, the prospect of a ninth FA Cup could salvage some genuine success for manager Liam Rosenior.
The two clubs enjoy a bitter historic rivalry too, which could make for a classic.
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