Varsity Magazine VOL. 3

Varsity Magazine VOL. 3

As the calendar flipped to 2026, the sports world witnessed a collision of high-stakes finishes and fresh beginnings. From historic outdoor hockey in the tropics to the edge of an NFL playoff push, here is the major news across every major league.

🏈 NFL: The Playoff Picture Crystallizes

The final week of December (Week 17) and the dawn of January saw the regular season reach its boiling point.

  • The Mahomes Void: The Kansas City Chiefs officially fell out of postseason contention, a rare sight in the Andy Reid era. With Patrick Mahomes sidelined by a severe ACL/LCL injury, the Chiefs are now projected to land a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

  • Playoff Bound: Heading into the final Sunday night (Jan. 4), the Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears secured critical wins to cement their Wild Card status.

  • Off-Field Buzz: Rookie sensation Cooper DeJean of the Eagles dominated headlines after Super Bowl heroics earlier in 2025, but his personal life sparked debate this week as his relationship with WWE legend Nikki Bella became public.

🏒 NHL: History in the Sunshine State

On January 2, 2026, the NHL took a bold leap by hosting the Winter Classic at loanDepot Park in Miami—the first outdoor game in Florida.

  • The Game: The New York Rangers defeated the Florida Panthers 5-1.

  • The Star: Mika Zibanejad made history, recording the first-ever hat trick in an NHL Winter Classic and a record-breaking five points in an outdoor game.

  • The Olympic Connection: Before puck drop, players from the newly announced 2026 U.S. Olympic Team (for the upcoming Milan Cortina Games) were introduced to a roaring crowd.

🏀 NBA & WNBA: Injury Woes and Labor Battles

The basketball world was defined by tension both on the court and at the negotiating table.

  • NBA Health Crisis: The league entered 2026 without several of its biggest stars. Nikola Jokic was ruled out for four weeks due to a knee hyperextension, while Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) and Kyrie Irving (ACL) remain sidelined for the season.

  • WNBA Standoff: As the January 9 deadline for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) neared, the WNBPA proposed a massive $12.5 million salary cap for 2026—an eight-fold increase from 2025—citing the "Caitlin Clark effect" on revenue.

⚾ MLB: The Hot Stove Sizzles

Free agency remained active as teams prepared for the 2026 season.

  • Bellinger Watch: Cody Bellinger opted out of his contract and became the winter's biggest prize, with the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs reportedly leading a bidding war for the 30-year-old outfielder.

  • Trade Talk: The New York Mets are reportedly in deep negotiations with the White Sox for center fielder Luis Robert Jr.

⚽ MLS: Inter Miami’s "Reload"

The 2025 MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami, spent the week aggressively upgrading their defense.

  • Key Signings: Miami secured Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair and left back Sergio Reguilón.

  • Galaxy Heartbreak: In Los Angeles, star Riqui Puig was ruled out for the entire 2026 season following a second surgery on his left ACL.

🏎️ F1 & NASCAR: Leadership Shakeups

  • NASCAR: Commissioner Steve Phelps resigned on January 6 (following the Jan 1-3 fallout) after inflammatory texts from a federal antitrust trial were made public. Steve O’Donnell has stepped into the leadership role.

  • Formula 1: While in the offseason, the focus shifted to the 2026 season opener in Melbourne (March 8), with McLaren celebrating their 2025 Constructors' Championship victory into the New Year.

🎾 Tennis & ⛳ Golf: The Australian Swing Begins

  • United Cup: Coco Gauff opened her 2026 season in Perth with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 win over Solana Sierra. Meanwhile, Stan Wawrinka officially began his 2026 "Farewell Tour" with a grueling three-hour victory.

  • Golf: The PGA Tour prepared for the The Sentry (Jan 1-4) in Maui, marking the start of the 2026 FedExCup season with a field of the previous year's winners.

Back to blog