Latest Sports News

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Ritchie rocked by Cubs as playoff celebration put on hold

4 hours ago

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NFL

Falcons split first-team QB snaps; Michael Penix Jr. ‘working toward’ playing.

Penix says it’s not unrealistic for him to play this week vs. the Panthers.

7 hours ago

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A look at the top 10 Georgia high school football games for Week 5

Here are the top Georgia high school football games for Week 5.

7 hours ago

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MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

Why the day-to-day quarterback plan is perilous for Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. and Cooper Rush both took snaps with the starters during Wednesday’s practice, while Tua Tagovailoa sat out.

6 hours ago

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YELLOW JACKETS

Georgia Tech football no longer playing Notre Dame in 2027

The Yellow Jackets will travel to Boston College to play their ninth ACC game instead of playing the Fighting Irish.

12 hours ago

AJC Varsity

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AJC Varsity rankings: Prince Ave. back on top, 2025 champ drops out in 3A

After starting the season No. 1 in Class 3A, two-time defending champion Carver of Columbus dropped out of the rankings.

Credit: Erik S. Lesser for the AJC

AJC VARSITY

AJC Varsity rankings: Several teams enter Top 10s, new No. 1 team in 3A

Toombs County ascends to the top spot in 3A. Newton and Cook enter the 7A and 2A rankings, respectively, after beating highly ranked teams in overtime.

Credit: A. Wallace for the AJC

AJC VARSITY

AJC Varsity preseason all-state teams: Watch for these standouts in 2026

AJC Varsity is announcing its preseason all-state teams ahead of the 2026 football season. Take a look at all 8 classes.

TV, scores & more

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Atlanta TV sports listings

A look at the TV listings for major sporting events for Atlanta today and this week.

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Michael Cunningham’s columns

Credit: Jeremy Freeman / Dagger

Ken Sugiura’s columns

Vote: What’s your grade for Kevin Stefanski as Falcons coach?

Make your voice heard in the AJC’s poll.

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Vote: Which potential Falcons free agent is most important to re-sign?

The Falcons have 15 players that could become unrestricted free agents in March. Vote on which potential free agent is most important for the team to re-sign.

Atlanta Sports

Ritchie rocked by Cubs as playoff celebration put on hold

KEN SUGIURA

How a brief visit between Jorge Mateo and Walt Weiss spoke loudly

The Rays utility man, cut by the Braves in August, made it a point to catch up with Atlanta's manager in last week's series.

MLB

On a day Braves can clinch playoff spot, rookie JR Ritchie gets the start

As fate would have it, the 23-year-old, who made his MLB debut April 23, will take the mound on a day the Atlanta Braves can clinch a postseason berth.

Georgia Bulldogs

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BULLDOGS

Georgia rules out three defenders ahead of SEC opener against Arkansas

We now have a better idea of where things stand on the health front for Georgia.

BULLDOGS

Georgia baseball’s Wes Johnson earns contract extension

Coach will remain with Bulldogs through 2032 with new deal.

BULLDOGS

How Kyle Pitts is helping one of Georgia’s promising young tight ends

Georgia tight end Ethan Barbour caught his first career touchdown on Saturday and works out a lot with Kyle Pitts.

Atlanta Falcons

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NFL

Why Falcons, Cooper Rush have confidence in Week 2 bounceback — if necessary

Backup quarterback Cooper Rush was a full participant in practice and said he feels he’s made significant strides since Sunday.

MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

Why the day-to-day quarterback plan is perilous for Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. and Cooper Rush both took snaps with the starters during Wednesday’s practice, while Tua Tagovailoa sat out.

NFL

Falcons split first-team QB snaps; Michael Penix Jr. ‘working toward’ playing.

Penix says it’s not unrealistic for him to play this week vs. the Panthers.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

YELLOW JACKETS

Georgia Tech football no longer playing Notre Dame in 2027

The Yellow Jackets will travel to Boston College to play their ninth ACC game instead of playing the Fighting Irish.

YELLOW JACKETS

Georgia Tech could get more players involved vs. Mercer. Here are 8 to watch.

Georgia Tech football could use Saturday's game as an opportunity to get more players involved, develop depth and find larger roles for players as the season progresses.

YELLOW JACKETS

‘Prayers answered’: Jaylen Mbakwe back with Georgia Tech after scary injury

Georgia Tech football’s Jaylen Mbakwe joined a team meeting Monday, less than 24 hours after he was released from the hospital.

Atlanta United FC

Credit: AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

MLS

Atlanta United loses to Orlando City in Embolo’s home debut

Atlanta United’s newest striker may be the “Breel thing,” but that wasn’t enough to overcome Orlando City as the Five Stripes fall 3-2 during his home debut Wednesday night.

MLS

Atlanta United loses to Charlotte FC, ending rare win streak

Atlanta United's three-game winning streak ended Saturday with a 2-0 loss to Charlotte FC, dropping the Five Stripes to 13th in the Eastern Conference.

MLS

‘I want to win’: Breel Embolo joins Atlanta United in playoff hunt

Atlanta United is riding a 3-game win streak for the first time in five seasons and just got a big boost after making a major summer transfer window splash by signing Embolo.

Atlanta Hawks

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NBA

Hawks announce changes in coaching and development staff

Jason Love, Ettore Messina and Sergi Oliva join Quin Snyder’s team.

NBA

Hawks announce front office promotions

Atlanta elevates Peter Dinwiddie and Maxwell Kupchak, and hires Tim Bontemps.

NBA

Hawks, Skyhawks shuffle staffing

Atlanta and its College Park G League affiliate say Ryan Silverstein will become the fifth general manager of the Skyhawks.

High Schools

State Report

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MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

Weekend Reflections: Texas is No. 1, but Georgia looks best among contenders

Also, Georgia Tech’s defense can’t back up Brent Key’s talk, and Atlanta Dream’s Angel Reese wins another championship.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Wins, bands and bragging rights: 10 takeaways from HBCU football’s Week 1

Clark Atlanta, Fort Valley State, Albany State and Benedict all made headlines as Week 1 offered an early look at the HBCU season.

WOMEN’S TEAM GOLF

Atlanta Drive announces roster for inaugural WTGL season

In team golf match play, three team members compete in an interactive format that features fast-paced action with players mic’d up.

PHOTOS: Georgia Tech loses home game against Tennessee

1/29

Georgia Tech players leave the field after a 45-24 loss to Tennessee in an NCAA college football game at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

More Sports news

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

BULLDOGS

Georgia baseball’s Wes Johnson earns contract extension

Coach will remain with Bulldogs through 2032 with new deal.

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

MLB

Albies’ two-run shot in the seventh boosts Braves to win over Cubs

With a win over the Chicago Cubs, the Atlanta Braves' magic number to clinch the NL East shrinks to five.

Credit: Erik S. Lesser for the AJC

Is Buford’s rise a mirage? Wolves fall 3 spots in predicted PSR playoff seeding

This is the first season the GHSA has used a ratings formula to seed every state playoff bracket.

Credit: AP Photo/Justin Berl

KEN SUGIURA

Actually, Falcons’ loss to Pittsburgh was strangely encouraging

After watching the Falcons lose to Pittsburgh on Sunday, my thought was that this season might not be as defeat-laden as many (including myself) expect. Here's why.

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

YELLOW JACKETS

‘Prayers answered’: Jaylen Mbakwe back with Georgia Tech after scary injury

Georgia Tech football’s Jaylen Mbakwe joined a team meeting Monday, less than 24 hours after he was released from the hospital.

Owen Murphy returns to Chicago to possibly pitch against hometown Cubs

“I’m just kind of here filling a role,” the young right-hander says. “When they call my name, they call my name.”

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

BULLDOGS

Arkansas coach raises more eyebrows ahead of UGA game with ‘obituary’ remarks

Ahead of Georgia’s trip to Arkansas, Razorbacks coach Ryan Silverfield references critics while Kirby Smart looks ahead to SEC play.

Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

MLB

After another bad start, Braves’ López headed to the IL

With a loss to the Cubs Monday night, the earliest the Braves can clinch a postseason berth is now Wednesday.

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

NFL

Za’Darius Smith shines in Falcons debut

Atlanta's veteran defensive end said he's still a ‘couple more weeks’ from full-go following two sacks in 16 snaps in Week 1 against the Steelers.

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139-point game produces two of AJC Varsity’s top performances from Week 4

AJC Varsity highlights the top Georgia high school football performances from around the state in Week 4.