March 18, 2025
3 Minute Read
Weekly Sports Preview: What To Watch
As another big week in sport unfolds, fans have plenty to look forward to. From the Nations League quarter-finals to the return of the Chinese Grand Prix, here’s what’s coming up and what to keep an eye on.
Tuesday: March Madness NCAA
The 2025 March Madness tournament gets underway with First Four games on Tuesday, March 18. After the First Four games on Tuesday and Wednesday, the first round of the NCAA Tournament kicks off Thursday, March 20 and Friday, March 21. The First Four games feature Alabama State v St. Francis (PA) & North Carolina v San Diego State.
Wednesday: Champions League Quarter-Final (Women’s)
In the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Manchester City Women host Chelsea Women in the first leg of their quarter-final at the Manchester City Football Academy. Chelsea has yet to lose in this competition, while City will want to bounce back and get some revenge after their League Cup Final defeat to Chelsea at the weekend. With two of England’s best women’s teams going head-to-head, this will be one to watch.
Thursday: Nations League Quarter-Finals
The UEFA Nations League continues as Spain travels to the Netherlands for the first leg of their quarter-final at De Kuip in Rotterdam. Spain have looked sharp so far and are currently undefeated, but playing away in the Netherlands is never easy. Also on Thursday, in the other quarter-finals, Croatia faces France, Italy takes on Germany, and Denmark hosts Portugal.
Friday: Miami Open & World Cup Qualifiers
The Miami Open enters its fourth day at the Hard Rock Stadium, with top players still in contention. The men’s draw features past champions Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, while on the women’s side, Danielle Collins defends her title against a strong field, including Elena Rybakina.
The European World Cup Qualifiers kick off on Friday night with fixtures including England v Albania, Malta v Finland, and Poland v Lithuania, plus more! This is just the start of the qualifiers that will take place over the weekend, along with more Nations League quarter-finals and playoffs.
Saturday: Indian Premier League Returns
Cricket fans get their fix as the Indian Premier League (IPL) returns. Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens. The Knight Riders are aiming to go back-to-back, while RCB is still chasing its first title. The IPL always delivers entertainment, and this match should be no different.
Sunday: Chinese Grand Prix Returns
Formula 1 heads to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix, back on the calendar for the first time in years. Lando Norris leads the driver standings after his impressive win in Melbourne, while Max Verstappen—who won this race last time it was held—looks to close the gap. With unpredictable conditions and teams still figuring out their 2025 setups, this race could shake up the standings.
Looking Ahead
With top-level action across various sports, this week has something for everyone. Whether it’s the start of March Madness on Tuesday, important international football matches spready over the week, a crucial F1 race on Sunday, or the beginning of the IPL season, there’s no shortage of must-watch events.
