Summer’s here, and there’s no better time for sports. There might not be a World Cup or an Olympics this year, but with Wimbledon and The Ashes, there’s still plenty of sporting goodness to go around as you make the most of the idyllic weather. Of course, chatting about sport- the drama, the players, the triumphs and defeats- is always appealing, so why not get stuck into a podcast about your favourite sport?

From football to cross-country running, there’s something for everyone, whether a superfan or you’re just getting started.

Football

That Peter Crouch Podcast

Legendary ex-Liverpool and England striker Peter Crouch hosts this hugely popular podcast in which he and his co-host chat all things football. It’s not all robot dances though: there’s plenty of in-depth discussion and analysis of both the sport itself and the people involved, covering players, managers, dressing room drama and the pressures that up-and-coming athletes can find themselves under. It also often features famous names from outside the footballing world, with Crouchy being joined by guests including Idris Elba, Ed Sheeran, Prince William and Ted Lasso’s Jason Sudeikis.

Available on: Acast

Athletico Mince

‌If Bob Mortimer’s hosting a sports podcast, it’s never going to be entirely straightforward. Athletico Mince is hosted by the comic alongside Andy Dawson and is largely centred around the football world, with a comedic twist. Sometimes a humorous take on sports and sports coverage, and sometimes a surreal character-driven sketch show, it’s always worth a listen and will always have you cracking up on the train. The show will deviate from football fairly often, with songs, random chat and stories of odd run-ins with celebrities and trips to South Africa. If you’re looking for a sports/football podcast that’s a bit different, Athlieticio Mince is for you.

Available on: Apple Podcasts

Tennis

The Tennis Podcast

‌Can’t wait for Wimbledon? Get into the tennis mood with the world’s most popular podcast about the sport, the aptly named The Tennis Podcast. Hosted by Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts, it features weekly chat about all things racquets and courts. It offers excellent punditry on what’s been going on in the tennis world. When a Grand Slam is on, the pod switches to a daily format, with episodes covering every angle of the latest player to have triumphed in straight sets or go crashing out in shock defeat. It occasionally features interviews with players about topics in and around the sport, retrospectives on legendary careers like Serena Williams and Roger Federer, and counts Billie Jean King as an avid listener.

Available on: BBC Sounds

Athletics

Laughter Permitted

‌Laughter Permitted is hosted by American soccer player Julie Foudy and produced by ESPN. While it has a fair amount of US sports coverage, there’s also a lot of international sports discussion with women in sport, along with how some sports have more of a bias against women than others. Athletes, footballers, Olympians and even an astronaut have been featured on the show, mixing fun and laid-back chat with truthful and thoughtful musings on the ups and downs of sporting life. Recent podcast episodes worth listening to include Shima Oliaee discussing women’s rights in sports in Iran, a chat with Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes, and Nicole Mann’s interview from the ISS.

Available on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts

Formula One

Chequered Flag

Since Drive to Survive helped to revitalise the sport, Formula One is no longer only for dads to watch on Sunday afternoons. It’s got a legion of new fans, and everyone from Owen Wilson to Emma Radacanu wants a piece of the high-speed action. There are two must-listen-to podcasts when it comes to F1. Chequered Flag is produced by BBC Radio 5 Live and, in a similar vein to The Tennis Podcast, covers all the latest gossip analysis from the F1 world, including upcoming races and interviews with drivers and their teams.

Beyond The Grid

Beyond the Grid, meanwhile, is made by the Formula One organisation itself and is more of a historical podcast that will take through how the sport came to be what it is today, why it’s so appealing and has chats with some of the legends of the driving world.

Available on: BBC Sounds and Spotify

Running

Running For Real Podcast

‌Here’s one for all of you who are itching to get off the sofa and sprint across the park: The Running for Real Podcast will get you into the sport and motivate you to become more active in general. Running is often a solitary sport, and it can feel tempting to back out of your goal of going on a morning run because you feel alone- but Running For Real aims to ensure that doesn’t happen. There’s much less in this pod about what trainers are optimum for a cross-country jog or tedious stats about 5Ks, and much more about getting into a mental space and having thoughtful running conversations. It’s hosted by former professional athlete and Running for Real CEO Tina Muir, who will give you the confidence to get back out there or start running for the first time.

Available on: Apple Podcasts

Cricket

The Final Word

‌Test Match Special is the grandfather of cricket coverage, but if you’re looking for something more informal, you might want to look at The Final Word. Hosted by Geoff Lemon and Adam Collins, it’ll guide you through the biggest cricketing news and chat, whether it’s a lengthy test match or a down-to-the-wire World Cup finish. It’s an easygoing and fun podcast that’ll keep you up to speed in no time.

Legends of the Ashes

Legends of the Ashes, meanwhile, is focused on the rivalry between England and Australia and how the Ashes have become the phenomenon it is today. It’s hosted by Stephen Fry, who provides a safe pair of hands to guide you through the game’s history.

Available on: Apple Podcasts

The Olympics

Olympics.com Podcast

‌OK, so the Paris Olympics is still a year away but the Olympics.com podcast is still worth a listen for its excellent insight into the Games and their history and stories of athletes past and present. You’ll hear from some of those who have their eyes set on gold in 2024 and a discussion on how the Games have evolved, from the origins of the Olympics in Ancient Greece to their early 20th-century revival, to the contemporary event. Of course, it’ll be an essential listen next year once the Games get underway, so if you’re intrigued by The Greatest Show on Earth, the Olympics.com podcast is one to listen to.

Available on: Spotify and Apple Podcasts


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