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Steve Luckings

Steve Luckings

Sports Editor
Location
Abu Dhabi
Steve is one of the of The National “originals”, arriving in Abu Dhabi in January 2008 to help launch the paper three months later. He has held a number of positions including online editor, page editor, senior sports editor and now sports editor. Steve has more than 15 years’ experience across a variety of media platforms. He writes comment and analysis on everything from football to rugby to boxing and is a regular guest on The National’s sport podcasts.
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Articles

World No 5 Elena Rybakina returns to the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open after losing in the semi-finals to Belinda Bencic in the 2025 tournament. Photo: Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open 2026: Players to watch and how to get tickets

Tournament kicks off on January 31 at Zayed Sports City with the final on February 7

TennisJanuary 23, 2026
Justin Gaethje, left, and Paddy Pimblett face off this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada for the interim UFC lightweight title. Zuffa LLC
UFC 324: Love him or hate him, Paddy 'The Baddy' gets his title shot

Interim lightweight belt on the line as Sean O'Malley-Song Yadong promoted to co-main event in Las Vegas

Combat SportsJanuary 22, 2026
Aryna Sabalenka in action against Veronika Kudermetova during the 2025 WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Photo: Action UAE
All of world's top 20 confirmed for Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

WTA 1000 event to be held at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium from February 15-21

TennisJanuary 16, 2026
Michael Carrick has been named interim manager at Manchester United until the end of the season. EPA
Carrick's Man United in-tray: Get back to 'United Way' and resolve Mainoo future

United's new interim manager has two tough assignments to begin his second spell in charge

FootballJanuary 14, 2026
Xabi Alonso lasted only eight months in charge at Real Madrid. AFP
Xabi Alonso sacked by Real Madrid and replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa

Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona final straw for club

FootballJanuary 13, 2026
Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, reacts following a coming together with Al Hilal's Hassan Tambakti. Reuters
'Impossible': Ronaldo complains after being subbed in Nassr's loss to Hilal

Hilal win Riyadh derby 3-1 to move seven points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League

FootballJanuary 13, 2026
Raphinha celebrates scoring his side's decisive third goal against Real Madrid in Jeddah. Reuters
Raphinha double seals breathtaking Spanish Super Cup final for Barcelona

Brazilian's brace sees Barca edge Real Madrid 3-2 to lift Super Cup for the 16th time

FootballJanuary 12, 2026
Brahim Diaz struck in the first half to set Morocco on their way to victory over Cameroon. AFP
Brahim Diaz extends own scoring record to fire Morocco into Afcon semi-finals

Real Madrid star scores fifth goal in as many games as Atlas Lions see off Cameroon 2-0 in Rabat

FootballJanuary 10, 2026
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso shouts at Atletico Madrid counterpart Diego Simeone during an angry exchange in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final on Thursday. AFP
Simeone-Vinicius row overshadows Real Madrid's win in Jeddah

Real to face Barcelona in Spanish Super Cup final after seeing off Atletico 2-1

FootballJanuary 09, 2026
Mario Balotelli has been without a club since being released by Italian club Genoa. Getty Images
Balotelli reportedly on his way to Dubai to sign for Al Ittifaq

Italian striker has not played any competitive football since December 2024

FootballJanuary 08, 2026
Edgars Skrivers takes on unbeaten Renat Khavalov at PFL: Road to Dubai on February 7
Skrivers ready to deliver 'a performance to remember' against Khabib protege

Bout is part of the 12-fight build-up to the main clash that sees Usman Nurmagomedov defend his lightweight title against Alfie Davis

Combat SportsJanuary 07, 2026
MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 04: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Real Betis Balompie at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 04, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle / Getty Images)
Play00:41
Real Madrid arrive in Jeddah ahead of Spanish Super Cup

Xabi Alonso's team face city rivals Atletico Madrid for a place in Sunday's final

FootballJanuary 07, 2026
Algeria's Adil Boulbina celebrates scoring his team's extra-time winner against DR Congo. AFP
Play01:15
Boulbina stunner sends Algeria through as Ivory Coast also reach last eight

Algeria set up quarter-final against fellow unbeaten team Nigeria while Ivory Coast take on Egypt

FootballJanuary 07, 2026
Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring Egypt's third goal to secure an extra-time win over Benin. Reuters
Salah says Egypt 'not favourites' to win Afcon after hard-fought win over Benin

Pharaohs need extra time to see off Benin and set up a last-eight showdown against either defending champions Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso

FootballJanuary 06, 2026
File photo dated 14/09/25 of Ruben Amorim. Ruben Amorim has been sacked as head coach of Manchester United, the Premier League club have announced. Issue date: Monday January 5, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire
Play01:35
Manchester United sack head coach Ruben Amorim

Darren Fletcher will take charge of the team against Burnley on Wednesday

FootballJanuary 05, 2026
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