Episode 7: The Men's and Women's FA Cup Finals - Of Dreamers and Giant Killers

After three weeks over the Atlantic, Jack and Ben are back in Blighty ahead of the 144th Men's and 55th Women's FA Cup Finals.

There's no fairytale like the FA Cup. It is where semi-professional players line up against the gods of the game on equal footing, where one drop of the hip or one act of bravery can make you immortal, and where there are no impossible outcomes if you believe in the magic of the Cup.

From giant killers to last second winners, from lionhearts to lionesses, the Cup delivers drama like nothing else. So warm up your voice for Abide With Me, and join us on the climb up the Wembley steps to grab the greatest and most beloved trophy in football together.

Episode 6: The NHL Playoffs and Ice Hockey World Championships – Goals, Goons, Graft and Glory.

This week, we're checking out one of the toughest sports on the planet – ice hockey, home to the brawling, bruising, toothless titans of the rink. Jack and Ben skate through the NHL Playoffs, where 16 teams chase the (quite literally) biggest trophy in the sport: the Stanley Cup. Meanwhile, across the globe, another 16 nations face-off for international glory at the IIHF World Championship in Sweden and Denmark.

We explore hockey’s wild history, from mysterious origin stories and fearsome enforcers to, somehow again, Kentucky Derby winners. We unpack the unwritten rules, the culture of fighting, and the darker toll of the game - including the growing conversation around CTE and player safety, illustrated through the turbulent highs and tragic lows of the legendary Bob Probert.

There's even a Cold War era subplot, with tales of invasion, rebellion, and the unifying power of sport in the face of oppression. So lace up and tune in – this is ice hockey like you’ve never heard it before.

Episode 5: The Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing - The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports

This week, Jack and Ben are Stateside once again, heading to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, for the iconic Kentucky Derby. But it’s not just the history of one legendary event they're diving into - they’re also unravelling the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, as they rein in the facts, tales, and controversies surrounding the greatest and most elusive title in North American horse racing: the Triple Crown.

In true American fashion, there's plenty of food, drink, flowers, and music to discuss, along with a few detours into true crime, conspiracy theories, and even a nod to Lewis and Clark - though that last bit is mostly Jack showing off his history chops. Once all that's (mostly) out of the way, there's even some racing to get into, led - as always - by endless admiration for the legendary Secretariat.

With heartache, scandal, and suspicion never far from the Triple Crown trail, saddle up as Jack and Ben take you beyond the track and deep into the history behind one of sport’s greatest challenges.

Episode 4: The NFL Draft - More Than Just a Pick

It’s Draft Day on the Sporting Almanac as Jack and Ben blitz the history of the NFL’s biggest off-field spectacle - from its humble beginnings in a Philadelphia hotel, to its main event status today - throughout war, expansion, relocations and mergers, as it forged dynasties and ended careers all at the same time.

Expect wild stories, big personalities, and sliding door moments that reshaped the league forever. From Hall of Fame careers nearly derailed before they began, to teams gambling it all on a single pick - and often losing - it's a celebration of chaos, hope when all hope seems lost, and the beautiful madness that is the National Football League.

So join Jack and Ben and go deeper into the history of the NFL Draft, the league and the players involved – all on the Sporting Almanac Podcast, your number one pick for sports history.

Episode 3: The World Snooker Championship - The Crucible of Dreams

Jack and Ben chalk up for a dive into snooker’s most hallowed ground — the Crucible. That unassuming theatre in Sheffield has seen history made, records fall, and the likes of the Nugget, the Hurricane, the Whirlwind and the Rocket become legends - as it hosts the biggest event in the sports calendar, the World Snooker Championship.

They revisit the tournaments 1985 final: Davis vs. Taylor, black-ball drama at midnight - the moment snooker captivated a nation. Then there’s Hendry’s icy dominance, Ronnie’s ethereal brilliance, Thorburn's magical 147 and Alex Higgins being impossible to not keep mentioning - Snooker is a game of characters larger than the Crucible itself.

So join Jack and Ben as they cue up the chaos, curses, magic and modesty of the World Snooker Championship, where the baize is the battlefield and legend is built with every break.

Episode 2: The Masters - A Tradition Unlike Any Other

From Green Jackets to Golden Bears, from Tigers to Pimento Cheese Sandwiches, this week we take a drive down Magnolia Lane to one of the most iconic courses in the world of golf - The Augusta National, home of The Masters. As the 89th edition of this legendary event tees off, Jack and Ben dive into the setting, the players, and the stories that make the Masters one of sport’s most sacred occasions.

Expect iconic fist pumps, miraculous shots, and more than a few questionable traditions - as well as a definitive attempt to settle the age old debate: who really is the greatest player of all time?

Whether you're a die-hard golf nut or just here to switch off with a sandwich and some sunshine, Jack and Ben are ready to give the history of the Masters a swing. So settle in and join us for an event truly like no other.

Episode 1: The Grand National – The Greatest Steeplechase in the World

In our debut episode, we saddle up for the 177th running of the world’s most famous steeplechase – the Grand National. We take a gallop around Aintree’s legendary jumps, relive the underdog triumphs of Bob Everett and Gregalach, the heartwarming tale of Bob Champion and Aldaniti, and, of course, pay tribute to the GOAT – Red Rum.

But it’s not all fairy-tale endings. The National is a race full of controversy and chaos. We dive into the dangers, debates, and drama that have shaped its legacy.

Join Jack and Ben as they explore the stories behind the race that stops a nation.