For the better part of a century, the Boston Red Sox had the reputation of being cursed with bad luck after then-owner Harry Frazee notoriously traded Babe Ruth in 1919 to the rival New York Yankees for $100,000 due to financial trouble stemming from his business endeavors as a producer of Broadway plays.

The Red Sox had won five championships between 1903 and 1918 before selling off Ruth — and they didn’t win another until 2004 after they exorcised their demons and became the first team to come back from a 3-0 deficit in a seven-game series when they beat the Yankees in the ALCS. That period of time without a World Series win has been infamously dubbed “The Curse of the Bambino.”

Boston has since won three more rings since finally breaking the curse.

But the Red Sox’s cursed past is a very recent memory for lifetime fans like Donnie Wahlberg, of New Kids on the Block fame, who knows all too well about the heartbreak that came with those lovable losers from Boston.

In an exclusive clip from ESPN’s upcoming three-part docuseries Believers: Boston Red Sox (watch above), Wahlberg tells a story about his father’s reaction to Boston’s heartbreaking Game 6 loss to the New York Mets before eventually losing the 1986 World Series.

“For whatever reason, my friends asked me to go out with them that night, and I didn’t stay home to watch with my dad,” recalled Wahlberg, who would have been 17 years old at the time. “By the time I got to the front door, it had all unfolded and I walked in the front door, and my dad was still there and he said, ‘You’ll be watching Game 7 alone, goodnight.’ And it wasn’t ’cause he was mad at me for going out, it’s just his heart got broken again.”

Believers: Boston Red Sox premieres on the ESPN app on Friday (Sept. 26) and also features appearances and commentary from other famous Red Sox lifers, including Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Katie Nolan, Bill Burr, Uzo Aduba, Sam Jay, Maria Menounos, Doris Kearns Goodwin and Neil deGrasse Tyson, along with members of the 2004 World Series-winning Red Sox roster: Johnny Damon, Curt Schilling, David Ortiz, Kevin Millar and Bronson Arroyo.

Watch the trailer for the series below:

LONDON — Ticketmaster will provide fans with advance information around ticket prices, it was announced Thursday (Sept. 25) following a lengthy investigation by the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The investigation was sparked by the Oasis reunion tour ticket sale which left fans with complaints over the sale process.

The ruling by the consumer watchdog comes after Ticketmaster was threatened with the possibility of legal action by the CMA in July, after it found that it “may have misled” fans with unclear pricing. 

However Ticketmaster has now agreed to tell fans 24 hours in advance if a tiered pricing system is being used, and give clearer information about ticket prices during online queues.

Fans during the Oasis reunion ticket sale process complained of purchasing platinum tickets for almost two-and-a-half times the standard price, without any explanation of what extra benefits they would receive. The CMA said that Ticketmaster must “not give the impression that one ticket is better than another when that is not the case.”

Ticketmaster will now have to regularly report to the CMA over the next two years to ensure it is adhering to the new compliance. “Fans who spend their hard-earned money to see artists they love deserve to see clear, accurate information, upfront,” said CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell. “If Ticketmaster fails to deliver on these changes, we won’t hesitate to take further action.”

In its findings, the CMA added that it found no such evidence that Ticketmaster used so-called ‘dynamic pricing’ for the ticket prices, which uses an algorithmic pricing model based on demand.

A spokesperson for Ticketmaster said: “We welcome the CMA’s confirmation that there was no dynamic pricing, no unfair practices and that we did not breach consumer law. To further improve the customer experience, we’ve voluntarily committed to clearer communication about ticket prices in queues. This builds on our capped resale, strong bot protection, and clear pricing displays – and we encourage the CMA to hold the entire industry to these same standards.”

Oasis announced a run of 17 U.K. and Ireland concerts for their Live 25 tour last August, before expanding the run globally. Following outcry from fans over long waits for tickets due to incredible demand, the group added an additional two shows at London’s Wembley Stadium, scheduled to take place this coming weekend (Sept. 27, 28), and said that it was “a small step towards making amends for the situation” The tour concludes in São Paulo, Brazil on Nov. 23.

Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson and Post Malone will lead the pack at Stagecoach 2026 as headliners when the famed country fest returns to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif., on April 24-26.

The stacked lineup of performers for the Goldenvoice-produced Stagecoach will also feature Bailey Zimmerman, Riley Green, Brooks & Dunn, Ella Langley, Red Clay Strays, Warren Zeiders, Nate Smith, Sam Barber, Gavin Adcock, Wyatt Flores, Hudson Westbrook and Cameron Whitcomb.

Journey, Pitbull, BigXthaPlug and Counting Crows will perform at the Mustang Stage, which is being reimagined for 2026 and provides a space for the after-dark performance moments that have become an essential part of Stagecoach. Boot Barn will serve as the presenting sponsor of the new Mustang Stage.

Johnson said in a statement, “I’ll never forget the first time I got the call to play Stagecoach. We were on one of the smaller stages and I remember wondering if anyone wouldeven know our songs. Now here we are invited back to headline the Mane Stage. What a ride. I hope y’all bring the energy … because it’s gonna get Western.”

Wilson also reflected on her roots with the festival in her statement. “My first Stagecoach was in 2022 on the SiriusXM Stage at 2:30 p.m. in the afternoon,” she shared. “Look how far we’ve come y’all! I’m honored to headline this year. This is a career highlight and I can’t wait to see everyone there.”

Post Malone enthused in his statement: “Had a hell of a time at Stagecoach in 2024 alongside so many incredible artists and friends. Can’t wait to be back next year!”

Zimmerman added, “I played my first Stagecoach in 2023. Since then, it’s become a tradition, and I somehow was lucky enough to get to come back in ‘24 with Morgan Wallen and then in ‘25 with Luke Combs. Coming back in 2026 is unbelievable, and I’m so thankful to whoever made the decision to let me come back. I promise I won’t take my pants off this time … or maybe I will. See you soon, Stagecoach2026!”

Fan favorites Diplo’s HonkyTonk and Guy Fieri’s Stagecoach Smokehouse return for another year. New this year, Nashville’s Whiskey Jam will offer a new element to the Palomino Stage. Known for spotlighting rising artists in Nashville, Whiskey Jam will host special sets and curate afterhours sets at Stagecoach’s Palomino Stage.

Passes for the 2026 Stagecoach will go on sale beginning Thursday, Oct. 2, at 11 a.m. PT at on the festival’s website. Amazon Music returns as the livestream partner for a fourth year. Fans can watch livestreamed performances from artists on Twitch, Prime Video and Amazon Music’s app each day of the fest.

Find the full lineup below:

Adrien Nunez

Amos Lee

Avery Anna

Bailey Zimmerman

Bayker Blankenship

Benjamin Tod

BigXthaPlug

Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters

Brandon Wisham

Braxton Keith

Brett Young

Brooks & Dunn

Bush

Cameron Whitcomb

Charles Wesley Godwin

Chase Matthew

Chase Rice

Cody Johnson

Corey Kent

Counting Crows

Diplo

Eli Young Band

Elizabeth Nichols

Ella Langley

Gabriella Rose

Gavin Adcock

Guy Fieri

Hannah McFarland

Hootie & the Blowfish

Hudson Westbrook

Ink

Jake Worthington

Josh Ross

Journey

Julia Cole

Kameron Marlowe

Kevin Smiley

Lainey Wilson

Lane Pittman

Larkin Poe

Little Big Town

Ludacris

Lyle Lovett

Marcus King Band

Max McNown

Michael Marcagi

Nate Smith

Neon Union

Noah Cyrus

Noah Rinker

Ole 60

Pitbull

Post Malone

Redferrin

Red Clay Strays

Riley Green

Ryan Hurd

S.G. Goodman

Sam Barber

Something Out West

Tayler Holder

Teddy Swims

The Road

The Wallflowers

Third Eye Blind

Treaty Oak Revival

Tyler Braden

Ty Myers

Warren Zeiders

Willow Avalon

Wyatt Flores

Wynonna Judd

Zach John King

Anderson .Paak is kicking off a creative collaboration in partnership with GOAL Projects, the new initiative from global soccer media brand GOAL. Under the Anderson .Paak x GOAL Projects banner, the Grammy-winning artist has co-designed a soccer kit in support of the girls’ youth soccer team from his hometown of Oxnard, Calif.

Proceeds from the kit — comprised of a limited-edition soccer jersey, T-shirt and ball — will benefit the nonprofit Brandon Anderson Foundation and the Oxnard Eagles girls’ soccer team. Founded by farmworker Victor Garcia, the Oxnard Eagles is a nine-team community club serving more than 100 youth from immigrant and working-class families. GOAL Projects is also partners with global collective Common Goal which, according to the press announcement, uses “the power of football to drive social change, ensuring continued support for the Oxnard Eagles as well as other grassroots teams.”

“Man, you have an opportunity to uplift kids in the same streets where I made my way, you give me a call,” .Paak tells Billboard. “When GOAL came to me with this idea, I was all in. It wasn’t just about a jersey; it was about connecting music and soccer — two things that bring people together everywhere. And the fact that every jersey helps out the Oxnard Eagles, these amazing young girls from my hometown? That’s the part that made it a no-brainer. It’s bigger than sport. It’s about community and giving these kids the chance to shine.”

Further discussing the burgeoning intersection between music and sports, .Paak adds, “Growing up, I thought I was gonna be in the NBA, then finally music hit. Sports and music are the same energy, man. They’re passion, rhythm and discipline — but also joy and culture. Soccer especially: It’s global, it’s in every neighborhood just like music. So when I got to co-design a kit that brings my fans into that world and also supports the next generation of athletes, that’s exactly the type of intersection I want to live at.”

Of teaming with .Paak for GOAL Project’s first collaboration, GOAL’s head of culture and lifestyle Jake Cohen said in a statement, “Anderson was the perfect partner to kick things off — he loves doing projects that give back and connect with the community. GOAL Projects is all about bringing sports, music, art and culture together. We want to break down the barriers to soccer and make sure every kid has a shot to play, and this is just the start. We’ve got more projects coming that will inspire and connect soccer fans and players everywhere.”

The Anderson .Paak x GOAL Projects collection is available now online in unisex adult sizes at  Goalprojects.goal.com. The collection’s in-person release will take place at the .Paak House Festival held Oct. 11 on the campus of California State University Channel Islands. Hosted by the Brandon Anderson Foundation, the family-friendly festival will once again feature live performances by special guests and rising artists. Past performers include Mario, Raphael Saadiq and Smokey Robinson. Tickets for the .Paak House Festival are also available now via .Paak House’s website.

“.Paak House has always been about giving my community a VIP experience, showing kids and families that they deserve the same love and spotlight as anybody else,” says .Paak. “So having the jersey release tied to and available for purchase at .Paak House makes perfect sense. You’ll see the music, the food, the art, the culture — all the stuff that shaped me  — and now we’re adding the global game of soccer into the mix. It’s about creating spaces where people can come together, celebrate and feel supported. That’s the same energy behind this GOAL collab.”