The Formula One Chinese Grand Prix has returned after a three-year hiatus. The meaning of the race is two-fold, as it also features the first ever Chinese F1 driver - Zhou Guanyu – competing on home soil. How significant is Zhou’s appearance for China’s motorsport? What are the most classic moments from past Shanghai races? Listen to Sideline Story…

Real Madrid and Manchester City are back at the starting line after an eye-catching draw at Bernabeu in the opening leg of their Champions League quarterfinal tie. How are things looking for Real? Will they falter like they did in last year's 4-0 semifinal return leg? Is Bayern Munich a different team at the Champions League? And did Arsenal show n…

Novak Djokovic is in a search of a new coach after a shocking decision to part ways with his title winning partner Goran Ivanisevic. Is it a wise move in his pursuit of more Grand Slam titles? Has Jannik Sinner replaced him as the best men’s tennis player as things stand? Is it time for Andy Murray to hang up his racquet after suffering another maj…

Toni Kroos has emerged from retirement from international football and rejoined “Die Mannschaft.” He wasted no time in proving his worth in the team’s two most recent friendly wins. What is the significance of his return as Germany prepares to host Euro 2024? Is it a light at the end of the tunnel for Germany after a period of struggles?…

China’s national football team has begun another quest for the FIFA World Cup under new coach Branko Ivankovic. What has the Croatian got to work with and can he accomplish the task of taking the Chinese squad into the tournament in 2026? Join us on Sideline Story for thoughts on whether it’s finally time for a breakthrough and how Team China can a…

Three teams are leading what could be the closest title race for the English Premier League this season. Will Liverpool win it as a farewell gift to Jurgen Klopp? Is City still as strong in its title defense? Can Arsenal avoid a repeat of history last season and finally win a long-awaited trophy? Join Sideline Story this week to find out which team…

LeBron James is the first person in NBA history to reach the 40,000-point milestone in an illustrious career that has lasted two decades and is still going. This week's Sideline Story takes a look at whether he is basketball's GOAT, as well as the season so far and what might happen after.

The new Formula One season gets underway in Bahrain this weekend. Will it be another season of Red Bull dominance? How will Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari next year shape things in 2024? Why is this a crucial season for Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu? Join this episode of Sideline Story to hear what we are most excited about before it all begins.…

Bayern Munich is at risk of its first trophy-less season in more than a decade. In this episode, we share our thoughts on the reasons behind their struggles, whether replacing coach Thomas Tuchel will make things better, and who do we think are candidates for the job.

Steph Curry didn't make it into this year's NBA All-Star starting lineup, but he gets a chance to challenge the WNBA's Sabrina Ionescu in a three-pointer shootout. Also among this year's star-studded list is LeBron James who is making his 20th appearance in the event. In this week's Sideline Story, we examine whether Curry deserves to be among the …

Why isn’t NFL as popular globally as in U.S.? The Super Bowl is one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the American sports calendar. However, this event and the NFL in general do not appear to have the same level of popularity on a global scale. Join us on this week’s episode of Sideline Story where we discuss the Super Bowl, the NFL, and th…

Chinese sensation Zheng Qinwen finished as runner-up at the Australian Open, becoming the second Chinese player to reach a Grand Slam final. The men’s singles competition also has a young champion after Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev on his way to a first Grand Slam title. This week on Sideline Story, we share our thought…

The AFC Asian Cup concluded far too early for Chinese fans. China’s performance was disappointing after a winless group stage campaign with no goals scored, posing a lot of questions about the team’s future. In this episode, we analyze the status of the Chinese men’s national football team and discuss whether coach Aleksandar Jankovic should should…

Novak Djokovic’s first two matches at the Australian Open ended tougher than expected. Did the world number one struggle from fatigue? How is his title defense looking? Also in this episode, we chat about some of China's top performers that will be looking to build on the success that was achieved in 2023. In addition, we also take a look at Naomi …

The football world has lost one of its greatest icons. Join us on this week’s episode of Sideline Story, where we talk about the coaching and playing style legacy left behind by ‘Der Kaiser’, Franz Beckenbauer. Also, as the Asian Cup is underway in Qatar, we preview the biggest football tournament of the continent with a focus on China’s chances of…

Every year we seem to see teenage sensations emerging from a variety of sporting codes around the world. Some maintain this success, other struggle to live up to the hype. Join us on Sideline Story where we discuss 16-year-old Luke Littler’s extraordinary run at the World Darts Championship this year. We also talk about the pressures these young st…

As 2023 is coming to an end, we have to recognize what a phenomenal year it has been in the world of sports. In this episode we give our thoughts on the top performances, the best sporting moments and the most successful athletes in the past year. Join our discussion to see if we share the same memory of 2023 sporting highlights with you.…

2023 has been a monumental year for several Chinese athletes and teams. Join the Sideline Story discussion to hear our thoughts on these performances as we review the sporting highlights of the year in China. We also talk about which sports are the fastest growing in China and which athletes are the most influential as well as our expectations for …

The UEFA Champions League group stages have come to an end. Several big names remain, while Manchester United became the biggest crash. Join us in the discussion of the UCL season so far. We also take a closer look at Bayern Munich's record unbeaten run and pick our top prospects to lift the title this season!…

The top two clubs of the German Bundesliga are now the only two teams in major European leagues still unbeaten in domestic action this season. How has Harry Kane influenced Bayern Munich’s football? What is special about the young Bayer Leverkusen squad and manager Xavi Alonso’s coaching style? What would the rivalry between the two teams look like…

Climate change and sports seem to be intrinsically linked. Join us on this week's episode of Sideline Story, where we discuss climate change's impact on summer and winter sports, what can be done to counter these effects, as well as what sports organizations are doing to reduce their carbon footprint.…

The ATP and WTA tennis seasons have come to an end. Join us on this week's episode of Sideline Story to hear our thoughts on the past season. We chat about the dominance of Novak Djokovic and the possible return of Rafael Nadal next season. We also discuss whether Djokovic can reach his goal of a Golden Slam in 2024, and preview top Chinese players…

Euro 2024 qualifiers are in the final stage and there have been some surprising packages and disappointing sides. Which teams have impressed the fans the most so far? Which individual players have stood out? Also in this episode, we make early predictions on who are the real title contenders next year in Germany?…

The 2023 Cricket World Cup in India has produced some dominant displays and a few upset results too. Join us on this week's episode of Sideline Story, where we discuss the action we have seen so far. We assess team and player performances. We also talk about some of the game's best ever players, as well as examine the state of the men's game in Chi…

Join us on this week’s episode of Sideline Story, where we breakdown the major talking points of the beginning of the NBA season. We also discuss rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, our top picks for the NBA Championship, as well as promising Chinese prospects from the CBA that could make the move to the U.S. in the future.…

The Asian Para Games are about more than just sporting excellence and competition. The 2023 Hangzhou edition is no difference. Listen to this week's episode of Sideline Story, where we chat about the athletes, the best moments and the significance of the event.

The Formula One season is nearing its end, but there still seems to be a lot for drivers to fight for. Despite Red Bull's mighty Max Verstappen's third consecutive driver's championship, the battle for second is still very much on. Meantime, Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez is in danger of losing his Red Bull seat after some mixed results. Will h…

The Rugby World Cup is well underway in France. There have already been some world-class match-ups and classic moments on the pitch which we discuss in detail in this episode. Aside from the on-field action, we also examine topics such as what we like about rugby and how the sport is developing in China.…

The 19th Hangzhou Asian Games created many memorable moments and exciting sports action during the 16-day competition, as well as human interest stories on and off the sports arenas. What will the Games be remembered for? What legacy has Hangzhou left for the continental event? In this episode we review the Asian Games from the reporters’ perspecti…

The Hangzhou Asian Games is staging top-notch continental sporting action of the continent. Meantime, a lot of the focus has been on the introduction of new sports and bringing back former sports to the spectators. What are the main highlights across different sports so far in Hangzhou? How are the games received locally and nationwide? In this epi…

The Hangzhou Asian Games will be a unique experience for all involved partially because of the non-Olympic sports that feature Asian characteristics. In this week’s episode of Sideline Story, we look at those unique Asian sports that will be competed at the Hangzhou Asian Games. We also talk about what hosting the Games means to China as well as ne…

There have been a few surprises in the English Premier League, even at this early stage of the season. Join us on the latest episode of Sideline Story to hear our thoughts about the performances of certain teams. We'll also talk about the strategic cooperation between the Premier League and China's village football, the impacts of past and present …

The US Open has been fantastic to watch for a few reasons. We've seen some brilliant performances as well as the return of one of the game's GOATs, Novak Djokovic. We have also seen several Chinese players shock the world with their outstanding performances and a few upset victories over top-ranked players. At this week's episode of Sideline Story,…

The 2023 European summer transfer window has seen some huge deals in the football world. In this episode of Sideline Story, we'll take a closer look at some of the big moves. Which transfers dominated the headlines? Which teams did the best and worst business? What impact has the Saudi Pro League had on the market?…

The Asian Games in Hangzhou will bring together the best nations, teams and athletes from across the continent to compete in and enjoy everything the Chinese city has to offer. Join us in this episode as we talk through the unique elements of the Hangzhou event, the new sports that will feature at the Games, and athletes that will be the ones to ke…

We have seen some incredible action at this year's Women's FIFA World Cup. There were dominating performances, disappointing results and teams exceeding the world's expectations. Which teams and players have stood out so far? How did the semi-finalists reach this point? Do Spain have any hope of upsetting England in the final? In this episode, we'l…

Something special is happening in Miami. The GOAT, Lionel Messi, has been scoring goals in bunches since joining MLS side Inter Miami, and is attracting a huge local and international audience. Meanwhile, owner David Beckham and his celebrity friends have also added to the intrigue. What impact are celebrity culture and the "Messi effect" having on…

What have the athletes, coaches and journalists attending the World University Games in Chengdu been experiencing during their time at this awesome event? In this pod, we chat to our very own Tianyu, who is in Chengdu, as well as German Pole Vaulter Luke Zenker and a Team USA track and field coach, Steve Paternostro, to hear about their experiences…

Chengdu, the hometown of giant pandas and one of the most vibrant cities in China, is hosting the 31st FISU Summer World University Games. Chengdu is the third city on the mainland to host the biennial event, following Beijing in 2001 and Shenzhen in 2011. Why are the Games significant? What does hosting the Games again mean to China? Also in this …

The FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand is seeing 32 teams competing for the first time in tournament history with record ticket sales. What makes women’s game grow rapidly? What has been the course of women’s football development? Also in this episode, we look into the prospects of the participating teams, including powerhouses fro…

A Grand Slam never lacking unexpected winners, Wimbledon has seen some classic upsets so far this year. Who are the biggest surprises? Also in this episode, we look into Novak Djokovic's title defense path and the improvements Carlos Alcaraz has shown on his less-favored grass court. Finally, we touch on the impacts of rain breaks and night curfew …

NBA teams are spending big on free agents and trades in attempts to upgrade their squads. Which deals are the most successful and most disappointing so far this offseason? What more significant transfers can we expect? Also in episode, we discuss whether forming the "Big Threes" is now an indispensable formula for winning the championships.…

Carlos Alcaraz has proved that he is the next big thing in men's tennis, but is he good enough to stop Novak Djokovic at the upcoming Wimbledon Championships -- the Serbian star's second most successful Grand Slam? What could go wrong for Djokovic in his title defense? Also, we explore how far the Chinese players could go at the grass-court major e…

While celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival, we touch on the sport of dragon boat racing both from the athletic and cultural perspectives. Why is dragon boat racing suitable for starters? What differences and similarities it has compared with British originated rowing? Also, what’s the status of the sport's bid to be included in the Olympic program?…

While Lionel Messi and world champions Argentina received warm welcome in Beijing attending an international friendly against Team Australia, thousands of kilometers away, a county in China’s Guizhou Province is hosting a phenomenal “Village Super League” organized and played by the local residents. The league has gone viral online with its electri…

The Denver Nuggets dominated Game 3 of the NBA Finals in a similar manner as when they beat the Miami Heat in Game 1. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray each notched triple doubles in the blowout win. Are the Heat out of strategies to cope with the pair and other Denver shooters? Why is Jimmy Butler suddenly popular among Chinese fans? Also in this epis…

Chinese players made history at the French Open as Zhang Zhizhen became the first player from the Chinese mainland to break into the men's singles last 32 at Roland Garros, while Wang Xinyu also created a personal best in Paris. Is it the start of Grand Slam successes for Chinese players? Also in this episode, we discuss how title contenders includ…

The French Open is set to have probably the most open men's singles competition since 2005 when king of clay Rafael Nadal first played at Roland Garros. Nadal will be absent from the tournament for the first time in his career due to a hip injury. In this episode, we look at who are the favorites to stand out from the wild competition in Paris and …

Badminton's biggest mixed team event, the Sudirman Cup, is underway in Suzhou, China. As the most successful country in the event with a record 12 trophies, China aims to defend the title in front of the home crowd but there are some setbacks. In this episode we look at what is going on with the Chinese team's title bid, and discuss whether Team Ch…

The UEFA Champions League semifinals saw Manchester City and Real Madrid play out a 1-1 draw at Santiago Bernabeu with Erling Haaland largely kept quiet on the night. Was he locked by Real's defensive line? Why didn't Pep Guardiola make any changes during the game? Also, we discuss what earned Inter Milan a win against their city rivals, and touch …