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Historic college football rivalry will not be played in 2026, on pause

One of college football’s premier rivalries is ending — for now.

Southern California and Notre Dame are pausing their historic rivalry, as they will not meet in 2026 or 2027.

The news was finalized when the Fighting Irish announced on Monday, Dec. 22 a home-and-home series with Brigham Young next season. The matchup with the Cougars is the 12th and last game finalized for Notre Dame in 2026.

It was expected the rivalry would take a break as both sides worked on continuing their long-standing rivalry, which began in 1926. While USC and Notre Dame wanted to keep the series going, the issue was how the series would continue to be played.

The game takes place at Notre Dame in mid-October in odd years and, when in Los Angeles in even years, occurs in November. The recent deal for series ended with the 2025 game.

The belief was USC wanted the game to be played earlier in the schedule to avoid it being in the middle of conference play. Yahoo Sports reported the two sides were near a deal that would keep the series going for two more years, but USC determined the dates were not ideal.

Considered one of the best rivalries in college football, USC and Notre Dame have played 96 times with little interruptions, including a three-year break during World War II from 1943-45 and in 2020 due to COVID-19. Playing for the Jeweled Shillelagh, the Fighting Irish and Trojans are some of the most successful programs in the country, with a combined 24 national championships, 15 Heisman Trophies and more than 1,000 players picked in the NFL draft.

While it’s unknown if the two teams will play again, USC and Notre Dame said in a joint statement they plan to meet in the future with the hope to continue the series. Yahoo Sports reported the goal is to continue the series in 2030.

‘USC and Notre Dame recognize how special our rivalry is to our fans, our teams, and college football, and our institutions will continue working towards bringing back The Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh,’ the statement reads. ‘The rivalry between our two schools is one of the best in all of sport, and we look forward to meeting again in the future.’

Notre Dame leads the all-time series 51–37–5 and won the 2025 edition of the game at home, marking the seventh win for the Fighting Irish in the past eight meetings. USC currently has 11 games scheduled for 2026 and needs to find a non-conference opponent to finalize its slate.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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2026 NFL Draft order in Week 16 and top prospects

Holiday shopping has changed a lot over the years.

In the past, people would actually go to stores in search of gifts – walking around the mall or scanning the shelves at whatever brick-and-mortar location they chose. At the end of the experience, you would leave with the gift in hand, possessing the item that would soon belong to someone else.

All of that changed in the name of convenience. Online shopping made it so that the delivery drivers became a modern Santa and the front door is the new chimney next to the tree.

The downside is that not every gift will arrive in time for the holiday events. Some things will take a little longer, well beyond the typical gift-giving day of the year.

Teams like the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans entered Week 16 in a tie for the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Others like the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals lurked in the background.

There is no No. 1 pick gift under the tree, at least yet. That will come in a couple of weeks, when the final order is unwrapped.

Until then, teams will keep dreaming – and looking out the window for that package to arrive.

Here’s a look at the updated 2026 NFL Draft order in Week 16.

2026 NFL Draft order

Here’s a look at the updated first-round order as Week 16 results come in, according to Tankathon, which calculates strength of schedule differently from the NFL:

  1. New York Giants: 2-13 record; .531 strength of schedule
  2. Las Vegas Raiders 2-13; .543 SOS
  3. Cleveland Browns: 3-12, .492 SOS
  4. New York Jets: 3-12, .539 SOS
  5. Tennessee Titans: 3-12, .573 SOS
  6. Arizona Cardinals: 3-12; .576 SOS
  7. Washington Commanders: 4-11; .500 SOS
  8. New Orleans Saints: 5-10; .498 SOS
  9. Cincinnati Bengals: 5-10; .516 SOS
  10. Miami Dolphins: 6-9; .490 SOS
  11. Atlanta Falcons (pick belongs to Los Angeles Rams): 6-9; .502 SOS
  12. Kansas City Chiefs: 6-9; .512 SOS
  13. Dallas Cowboys: 6-8-1; .441 SOS
  14. Baltimore Ravens: 7-8; .504 SOS
  15. Minnesota Vikings: 7-8; .520 SOS
  16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-8, .529 SOS
  17. Detroit Lions: 8-7; .492 SOS
  18. Indianapolis Colts (pick belongs to Jets): 8-7; .537 SOS
  19. Carolina Panthers: 8-7, .518 SOS
  20. Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-6; .504 SOS
  21. Green Bay Packers (pick belongs to Cowboys): 9-5-1; .476 SOS
  22. Philadelphia Eagles: 10-5; .473 SOS
  23. Houston Texans: 10-5; .537 SOS
  24. Buffalo Bills: 11-4, .463 SOS
  25. Los Angeles Chargers: 11-4; .457 SOS
  26. San Francisco 49ers: 11-4, .494 SOS
  27. Jacksonville Jaguars (pick belongs to Browns): 11-4; .494 SOS
  28. Los Angeles Rams: 11-4, .529 SOS
  29. Chicago Bears: 11-4; .445 SOS
  30. New England Patriots: 12-3; .380 SOS
  31. Denver Broncos: 12-3; .431 SOS
  32. Seattle Seahawks: 12-3; .502 SOS

2026 NFL mock draft

This is how USA TODAY Sports’ Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz projected the top five picks in his latest mock draft:

  1. New York Jets (proposed trade w/NYG): QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
  2. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Dante Moore, Oregon
  3. Tennessee Titans: LB/DE Arvell Reese, Ohio State
  4. Cleveland Browns: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
  5. New York Giants (proposed trade w/NYJ): WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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College football bowl schedule: Three games on Dec. 23

This college football postseason lineup is full of familiar faces in the College Football Playoff and some newcomers to the field. The 11 games to decide the national champion will start with first-round games at campus sites on Dec. 19 and 20. Four winners will advance to face the four teams with first-round bye in quarterfinals on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

The semifinals will be played at the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl on Jan. 8 and Jan. 9, respectively. The national championship game will be held Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

But there’s also more than just the chase for the national championship. A full lineup of bowl games will kickoff on Dec. 13 and run alongside all the playoff matchups

A look at the entire postseason schedule with dates, times and television details along with all the matchups that will take you through the holiday season and beyond:

LA Bowl: Washington 38, Boise State 10

DETAILS: Saturday, Dec. 13, Inglewood, Calif., 8 p.m., ABC

Demond Williams passed for four touchdowns, and the Huskies held the Broncos to under 100 yards of offense in the first half to cruise to their ninth victory of the season. Boise State, playing just eight days after winning the Mountain West title, threw five interceptions between quarterbacks Max Cutforth and Maddux Madsen.

Salute to Veterans Bowl: Jacksonville State 17, Troy 13

DETAILS: Tuesday, Dec. 16, Montgomery, Ala., 9 p.m., ESPN

The Gamecocks bounced back from their loss in the Conference USA championship to finish their season with nine wins after a 1-yard touchdown run by Andrew Paul in the fourth quarter to defeat the Trojans.

Cure Bowl: Old Dominion 24, South Florida 10

DETAILS: Wednesday, Dec. 17, Orlando, Fla., 5 p.m., ESPN

Both the Monarchs and Bulls were short-handed with their quarterback sitting out. Old Dominion trailed at halftime, but scored all the game’s 17 points in the second half with touchdown runs by Trequan Jones and Quinn Henicle.

68 Ventures Bowl: Delaware 20, Louisiana-Lafayette 13

DETAILS: Wednesday, Dec. 17, Mobile, Ala., 8:30 p.m., ESPN

In their first FBS season, the Blue Hens earned their first bowl victory with a defense stand in the final seconds when the Ragin’ Cajuns were close to a tying touchdown. Jo Silver led a ground attack with 115 yards and a score, and Nick Minicucci added a passing touchdown to provide the early scoring.

Xbox Bowl: Arkansas State 34, Missouri State 28

DETAILS: Thursday, Dec. 18, Frisco, Texas, 9 p.m., ESPN2

Arkansas State opened up a big lead before holding off a rally from first-time bowl participant Missouri State. Red Wolves quarterback Jaylen Raynor threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns and wide receiver Corey Rucker passed 4,000 career receiving yards with 166 yards and a score.

Myrtle Beach Bowl: Western Michigan 41, Kennesaw State 6

DETAILS: Friday, Dec. 19, Conway, S.C., 11 a.m., ESPN

The Broncos posted their 10th win of the season that also included a MAC title after starting fast with 27 points in the first quarter. Jalen Buckley had 174 yards and a score on just eight carries, and Broc Lowry threw for two touchdowns in the victory.

Gasparilla Bowl: North Carolina State 31, Memphis 7

DETAILS: Friday, Dec. 19, Tampa, Fla., 2:30 p.m., ESPN

The Wolfpack dominated from the start, scoring the first 24 points of the game with quarterback CJ Bailey throwing for two scores and running for another. NC State closed its season on a two-game win streak, while Memphis lost its fourth in row.

College Football Playoff: Alabama 34, Oklahoma 24

DETAILS: Friday, Dec. 19, 8 p.m., ABC/ESPN

The Crimson Tide equaled the record for the biggest comeback in College Football Playoff history by overcoming a 17-0 deficit and avenging an earlier loss to the Sooners in the regular season. Ty Simpson threw for two scores, and Zabien Brown returned an interception 50 yards for a score to key the rally.

College Football Playoff: Miami 10, Texas A&M 3

DETAILS: Saturday, Dec. 20, noon, ABC/ESPN

The Hurricanes won a defensive struggle with a late touchdown pass from Carson Beck to Malachi Toney and then an interception by Bryce Fitzgerald in the end zone in the final seconds. Texas A&M managed just a third-quarter field goal and committed three turnovers.

College Football Playoff: Mississippi 41, Tulane 10

DETAILS: Saturday, Dec. 20, 3:30 p.m., TNT/truTV

A rematch of a game comfortably won by the Rebels in September was another easy victory in the playoff. Ole Miss scored a touchdown after three plays and cruised into the quarterfinals. Trinidad Chambliss threw for 282 yards and one score in the victory.

College Football Playoff: Oregon 51, James Madison 34

DETAILS: Saturday, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m., TNT/truTV

Oregon blew up the first-round matchup with touchdowns on its first five possessions to lead 34-6 at halftime. The Ducks added a couple more scores in the third quarter before the Dukes had a strong finish. Dante Moore led the victory with 313 yards and four passing touchdowns.

Idaho Potato Bowl: Washington State 34, Utah State 21

DETAILS: Monday, Dec. 22, Boise, Idaho, 2 p.m., ESPN

Zevi Eckhaus threw for yards and three touchdowns to the lead the Cougars to a win against their future Pac-12 opponents. Maxwell Woods added 117 yards on the ground as Washington State piled up 628 yards of offense.

Boca Raton Bowl

DETAILS: Tuesday, Dec. 23, Boca Raton, Fla., 2 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Louisville (8-4) vs. Toledo (8-4)

The Cardinals stumbled in their last three ACC games after being in contention for the title game. The Rockets, who saw coach Jason Candle leave for Connecticut, have won four games in a row.

New Orleans Bowl

DETAILS: Tuesday, Dec. 23, New Orleans, 5:30 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Western Kentucky (8-4) vs. Southern Mississippi (7-5)

Two teams that faltered in their last game to miss their respective conference championship games. The Eagles also have lost coach Charles Huff to Memphis.

Frisco Bowl

DETAILS: Tuesday, Dec. 23, Frisco, Texas, 9 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: UNLV (10-3) vs. Ohio (8-4)

The Rebels had two of their losses to Boise State, including the Mountain West title game. The Bobcats narrowly missed the MAC championship game.

Hawaii Bowl

DETAILS: Wednesday, Dec. 24, Honolulu., 8 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: California (7-5) vs. Hawaii (8-4)

The Bears are being led by former Hawaii coach Nick Rolovich, who serving as interim coach after the firing of Justin Wilcox. The Rainbow Warriors return to the postseason for the first time since 2020.

GameAbove Sports Bowl

DETAILS: Friday, Dec. 26, Detroit, 1 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Central Michigan (7-5) vs. Northwestern (6-6)

Matt Drinkall had a great debut season for the Chippewas, who will face the Wildcats for just the second time. Northwestern needs to reverse its run of four losses in five games to avoid finishing on down note.

Rate Bowl

DETAILS: Friday, Dec. 26, Phoenix, 1 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Minnesota (7-5) vs. New Mexico (9-3)

It was a great season for the Lobos in Jason Eck’s first year with the program. They’ll stay near home to face the Gophers, making a seventh trip to the postseason under P.J. Fleck.

First Responder Bowl

DETAILS: Friday, Dec. 26, Dallas, 8 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Florida International (7-5) vs. Texas-San Antonio (6-6)

Willie Simmons had a remarkable first season as coach of the Panthers, who enter on a four-game win streak. The Road Runners had an up-and-down year that included impressive wins against Tulane and East Carolina mixed with curious losses.

Military Bowl

DETAILS: Saturday, Dec. 27, Annapolis, Md., 11 a.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Pittsburgh (8-4) vs. East Carolina (8-4)

It’s a return trip to this game for the Pirates after they beat North Carolina State last year. They’ll try to take down another ACC team this time. The Panthers must get better on defense to avoid that fate.

Pinstripe Bowl

DETAILS: Saturday, Dec. 27, Bronx, N.Y., noon, ABC

MATCHUP: Clemson (7-5) vs. Penn State (6-6)

These are two teams that started in the top five and might have been a College Football Playoff semifinal. Both almost missed bowl games before a string of wins at the end of the year. Which will be motivated to finish out with a victory?

Fenway Bowl

DETAILS: Saturday, Dec. 27, Boston, 2:15 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Army (6-5) vs. Connecticut (9-3)

The Black Knights secured their postseason spot with a win at Texas-San Antonio. The Huskies are making a return trip to Boston after beating North Carolina in this game last year.

Pop-Tarts Bowl

DETAILS: Saturday, Dec. 27, Orlando, Fla., 3:30 p.m., ABC

MATCHUP: Georgia Tech (9-3) vs. Brigham Young (11-2)

Both the Yellow Jackets and Cougars had great seasons, but their playoff hopes ended with late losses. Look for both teams to be motivated to finish with a win that will help carry momentum into the offseason.

Arizona Bowl

DETAILS: Saturday, Dec. 27, Tucson, Ariz., 4:30 p.m., CW

MATCHUP: Miami (Ohio) (7-6) vs. Fresno State (8-4)

It was a disappointing finish to the regular season for the Red Hawks, who lost in the MAC title game. The Bulldogs will ride the running back combination of Rayshon Luke and Bryson Donelson.

New Mexico Bowl

DETAILS: Saturday, Dec. 27, Albuquerque., 5:45 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: San Diego State (9-3) vs. North Texas (11-2)

After missing a chance at the playoff, the Mean Green settle for a trip to face the Aztecs, who rebounded from a 3-9 season in 2024 to make a bowl game.

Gator Bowl

DETAILS: Saturday, Dec. 27, Jacksonville, Fla., 7:30 p.m., ABC

MATCHUP: Virginia (10-3) vs. Missouri (8-4)

How do the Cavaliers respond after an overtime loss to Duke that cost them a CFP berth? The Tigers will be looking for their third bowl win in row.

Texas Bowl

DETAILS: Saturday, Dec. 27, Houston, 9:15 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Houston (9-3) vs. LSU (7-5)

The Cougars had their best season in the Big 12 as Willie Fritz continues his building of the program. It’s a return trip to the Texas Bowl for the Tigers, which may have Lane Kiffin around to help.

Birmingham Bowl

DETAILS: Monday, Dec. 29, Birmingham, Ala., 2 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Georgia Southern (6-6) vs. Appalachian State (5-7)

The Eagles hopefully won’t take it personally that the a swath of teams with five wins refused this game. It’s a rare rematch of conference foes here, but as Sun Belt divisional rivals played in the regular season with Georgia Southern winning 25-23.

Independence Bowl

DETAILS: Tuesday, Dec. 30, Shreveport, La., 2 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Coastal Carolina (6-6) vs. Louisiana Tech (7-5)

The Chanticleers finished second in the Sun Belt division, but will be without coach Tim Beck, who was fired after the season. The Bulldogs are assured of their first winning season since 2019.

Music City Bowl

DETAILS: Tuesday, Dec. 30, Nashville, Tenn., 5:30 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Illinois (8-4) vs. Tennessee (8-4)

Orange will be the color of the day in this game. Both teams had playoff aspirations entering the season but didn’t play consistently enough. At least one of them will finish on high note.

Alamo Bowl

DETAILS: Tuesday, Dec. 30, San Antonio, Texas, 9 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Southern California (9-3) vs. TCU (8-4)

The Trojans will be making their 57th bowl appearance, and this will be their first in the Alamo Bowl. The home crowd should favor the Horned Frogs, who will look to quarterback Josh Hoover to lead them to their third nine-win season in four years.

ReliaQuest Bowl

DETAILS: Wednesday, Dec. 31, Tampa, Fla., noon, ESPN

MATCHUP: Iowa (8-4) vs. Vanderbilt (10-2)

It’s the best season ever for the Commodores with Diego Pavia possibly playing in his last game. The Hawkeyes were the victim of four close losses, including two at home to Oregon and Indiana.

Sun Bowl

DETAILS: Wednesday, Dec. 31, El Paso, Texas, 2 p.m., CBS

MATCHUP: Arizona State (8-4) vs. Duke (8-5)

This is an opportunity for the Sun Devils to erase a disappointing finish. The Blue Devils will be riding the momentum of their ACC title that ended a long championship drought.

Citrus Bowl

DETAILS: Wednesday, Dec. 31, Orlando, Fla., 3 p.m., ABC

MATCHUP: Michigan (9-3) vs. Texas (9-3)

Two of the winningest programs meet in their first postseason matchup since a memorable Rose Bowl won by the Longhorns in the 2004 season. Texas also won the other time the schools met – in last season’s opener.

Las Vegas Bowl

DETAILS: Wednesday, Dec. 31, Las Vegas, 3:30 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Nebraska (7-5) vs. Utah (10-2)

After a strong start, the Cornhuskers limped to a 1-3 record down the stretch after an injury to quarterback Dylan Raiola. The Utes will ride the dynamic playoff quarterback Devon Dampier after a season where it only lost to Texas Tech and Brigham Young.

Cotton Bowl

DETAILS: Wednesday, Dec. 31, Arlington, Texas, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Ohio State (12-1) vs. Texas A&M-Miami winner

Orange Bowl

DETAILS: Thursday, Jan. 1, Miami Gardens, Fla., noon, ESPN

MATCHUP: Texas Tech (12-1) vs. Oregon (12-1)

Rose Bowl

DETAILS: Thursday, Jan. 1, Pasadena, Calif., 4 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Indiana (13-0) vs. Alabama (11-3)

Sugar Bowl

DETAILS: Thursday, Jan. 1, New Orleans., 8 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Georgia (12-1) vs. Mississippi (12-1)

Armed Forces Bowl

DETAILS: Friday, Jan. 2, Fort Worth, Texas, 1 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Rice (5-7) vs. Texas State (6-6)

A matchup of Lone Star State schools that played in the postseason two years ago. The Owls benefit from several schools skipping bowl games to get a postseason spot.

Liberty Bowl

DETAILS: Friday, Jan. 2, Memphis, Tenn., 4:30 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Navy (9-2) vs. Cincinnati (7-5)

The Midshipmen first have a chance to win the Commander-in-Chiefs Trophy against Army before turning their attention to the Bearcats, who lost their last four after getting into contention in the Big 12.

Duke’s Mayo Bowl

DETAILS: Friday, Jan. 2, Charlotte, N.C., 8 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: Wake Forest (8-4) vs. Mississippi State (5-7)

The arrival of coach Jake Dickert was the catalyst for the Demon Deacons having a resurgent season. The Bulldogs had a series of near-misses, including overtime defeats to Tennessee and Texas, which caused them to fall short of six wins, but they still made the postseason.

Holiday Bowl

DETAILS: Friday, Jan. 2, San Diego, 8 p.m., Fox

MATCHUP: Arizona (9-3) vs. SMU (8-4)

Brent Brennan started his second season with the Wildcats under pressure, but quarterback Noah Fifita helped lead a resurgent season. The Mustangs had the chance to make the playoff before stumbling against California in its regular-season finale.

Fiesta Bowl

DETAILS: Thursday, Jan. 8, Glendale, Ariz., 7:30 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: College Football Playoff semifinal

Peach Bowl

DETAILS: Friday, Jan. 9, Atlanta, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: College Football Playoff semifinal

College Football Playoff championship game

DETAILS: Monday, Jan. 19, Miami Gardens, Fla., 7:30 p.m., ESPN

MATCHUP: College Football Playoff semifinal winners

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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Nickel Price Forecast: Top Trends for Nickel in 2026

Nickel prices were stagnant in 2025, trading around US$15,000 per metric ton (MT) for much of the year.

The metal’s primary price motivation stemmed from persistent oversupply from Indonesian operations.

Overall, sentiment remained weak amid soft demand growth from the construction and manufacturing sectors, and declining interest in nickel as electric vehicle (EV) battery makers began to eye cheaper chemistries.

Nickel supply in 2026

The big question going into the new year is if nickel supply and demand will come into balance.

The most significant contributing factor over the last several years has been an abundance of supply from Indonesia, which has become the world’s top nickel producer.

The US Geological Survey estimates that full-year 2024 nickel production came in at 2.2 million MT, a staggering increase over the 800,000 MT it believes the nation produced in 2019.

In February 2025, the Indonesian government changed its quota system, effectively increasing nickel ore output to 298.5 million wet metric tons (WMT) from 271 million WMT in 2024. At the time, it said the increased production capacity was being limited to major production areas and was designed to reduce supply pressures.

The increase helped drive the amount of nickel sitting in exchange warehouses. Stockpiles at the London Metal Exchange (LME) had risen to 254,364 MT by the end of November, up from 164,028 MT at the start of 2025.

Meanwhile, the nickel price sank to US$14,295, toward the lower end of profitability for low-cost Indonesian miners.

The profitability question has raised the possibility of cuts — according to Shanghai Metal Market, the Indonesian government is proposing to cut nickel ore output to around 250 million MT in 2026. If the reduction comes to pass, it would mark a significant decline from the 379 million WMT laid out by Indonesia in 2025. Discussions on the final amount are ongoing, and the outlet states that it will be some time before the target is finalized.

“The global market is still forecast to remain in surplus — around 261,000 MT in 2026 — so further cuts would need to be significant to alter fundamentals,” she explained.

Additionally, there could be a wait-and-see approach as other new policies adopted by the Indonesian government in 2025 begin to take hold. The first, introduced in April, saw a shift from a flat 10 percent royalty to a more dynamic rate of 14 to 18 percent, depending on nickel prices. The second came in October, when the government cut the validity period of mining licenses from three years to one, providing the government greater oversight of production levels.

These prices, however, aren’t supportive of western producers, which began curtailing operations in 2024 when the LME average price was US$16,812 and reached US$21,000 in May of that year.

For her part, Manthy suggested that to get back to that range, there needs to be a more coordinated approach to constraining supply, and it may not make an immediate difference.

“To push prices to that range, cuts would need to be deep enough to erase most of the projected surplus. Given the scale — hundreds of thousands of MT — this seems unlikely without coordinated action. Even then, investor sentiment would probably require sustained prices above US$20,000 to materially improve producer attractiveness,” she said.

Nickel demand in 2026

The challenges faced by nickel go beyond oversupply; demand growth for the base metal is also soft.

Nickel’s primary use case is in the production of stainless steel, much of it destined for the Chinese housing market, which has yet to recover from its collapse in 2020.

While the Chinese government tried to stabilize the market in 2024 and earlier in 2025, it has done little to reverse the downward trend. According to a CNBC report on December 2, November sales were down 36 percent from the same period in 2024, and declined 19 percent through the first 11 months of the year.

“China’s property sector weakness has weighed on stainless steel demand, which accounts for over 60 percent of global nickel consumption. Even with broader economic growth, this stagnation has kept nickel prices subdued. A property turnaround would help, but given the surplus outlook, price upside would likely be limited,” Manthey said.

Adding to nickel’s woes is soft growth from the EV market.

Much of the increase in nickel production over the last five years was to fuel the need for EV batteries, but more recently producers like Contemporary Amperex Technology (SZSE:300750,HKEX:3750), one of the world’s largest battery makers, have shifted chemistry to lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP).

Nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries had been seen as superior due to their higher energy density and longer range. But recent advances in LFP technology have erased that gap, with vehicles using the chemistry achieving ranges of over 750 kilometers. Additionally, LFP batteries are cheaper to produce and less volatile, making them safer.

According to a December 1 Reuters article, nickel battery demand rose 1 percent year-on-year in September, while LFP battery demand increased 7 percent. However, the news outlet notes that most of the nickel demand was likely driven more by a rapidly growing EV market than by the benefits of its chemistry.

Although Reuters also notes that nickel chemistry remains the dominant battery technology in western EV markets, that too comes with a caveat, especially in the US, where the elimination of the EV tax credit in September has cratered EV demand. While US EV sales reached a record 1.2 million through the first nine months of 2025, much of that was driven by consumers seeking to take advantage of the US$7,500 credit before it expired.

Early data from Cox Automotive analysis indicates that American EV sales are down 46 percent in Q4 from the third quarter, and 37 percent from the same period last year.

Against that backdrop, Ford Motor (NASDAQ:F) has scaled back its EV plans, taking a US$19.5 billion writedown, and will pivot to extended-range EVs — which use gas-powered engines to augment range — and hybrid cars. Similarly, in mid-December, the EU dropped its plans to ban the sale of all internal combustion engine light vehicles by 2035.

These policy changes likely aren’t good news for nickel watchers.

“Any slowdown in energy transition policies adds to bearish sentiment for battery metals, including nickel,” Manthey said.

Nickel price forecast for 2026

Manthey suggested that nickel prices will remain under pressure throughout 2026.

“We expect prices to struggle to hold above US$16,000 given the surplus. Upside risks hinge on unexpected supply disruptions or stronger-than-forecast stainless and battery demand, but sustained levels above US$19,000 look unlikely under current fundamentals. We see prices averaging US$15,250 in 2026,” she said.

That’s in line with the World Bank’s 2026 nickel price outlook of US$15,500, rising to US$16,000 in 2027.

The primary reason for these projections is the ongoing nickel market surplus.

While it didn’t make a price prediction, Russia’s Nornickel, one of the world’s largest nickel producers, suggests that the market will see a surplus of 275,000 MT of refined nickel in 2026.

Low prices will be a challenge for nickel producers and investors alike. Until there is a shift in market fundamentals, a rebound for nickel doesn’t appear to be in the cards in the short or even medium term.

Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Lithium Market 2025 Year-End Review

The global lithium market endured a bruising 2025, with persistent oversupply and softer-than-expected electric vehicle (EV) demand driving prices for the battery metal to multi-year lows.

Lithium carbonate prices in North Asia slipped below US$9,550 per metric ton in February — their weakest level since 2021 — triggering production cuts and project delays, particularly in Australia and China. Despite brief rallies later in the year, prices remained under pressure, reflecting a market struggling to absorb rapid supply growth.

That imbalance has been years in the making. Global lithium carbonate output surged 192 percent between 2020 and 2024 while demand lagged, leaving the market with a large surplus.

Analysts estimate that supply exceeded demand by more than 150,000 metric tons in both 2023 and 2024, with inventories continuing to cap price recovery in 2025. Although the surplus is shrinking, high stockpiles have kept prices rangebound, with lithium carbonate largely hovering near US$10,000 for much of the year.

Volatility punctuated the lithium industry in the second half of 2025.

Prices rebounded sharply in July on supply cut speculation, briefly pushing lithium carbonate to an 11 month high above US$12,000 before retreating as producers denied meaningful reductions and inventories remained ample.

Policy uncertainty in the US, including threats to EV incentives, and regulatory signals from China further weighed on sentiment, underscoring the market’s sensitivity to both geopolitics and headlines.

Despite the prolonged downturn, analysts increasingly view 2025 as a potential inflection point. With roughly a third of global production estimated to be unprofitable at current prices, further supply rationalization appears likely.

Forecasts point to a sharply narrower surplus in 2025 and a possible deficit emerging in 2026, suggesting that while lithium’s near-term outlook remains constrained, the sector’s long-term fundamentals — driven by electrification, the energy transition and data-intensive technologies — remain intact.

Lithium in 2025: A tale of two markets

In contrast, the second half of 2025 saw a boost in prices across the lithium space as market fundamentals improved due to Contemporary Amperex Technology (SZSE:300750,HKEX:3750) curtailing operations at the Jianxiawo lepidolite mine in early August. Despite reports that Jianxiawo would restart operations in December, it is unclear if the mine, which is one of the world’s largest, is back in operation.

Concern over the removed supply pushed carbonate prices higher from mid-October through the end of the year, when they rose from US$10,417.37 to US$14,131.44, a 34 percent increase.

Battery energy storage demand key to lithium growth

Another trend Klein pointed to was the rapid growth in the battery energy storage system (BESS) market, which is expected to grow by 44 percent in 2025, representing a quarter of all battery demand.

“We’ve been talking about BESS being a very fast, growing and big part of the market, but it’s now become the consensus opinion that it’s very strong not only in China, but elsewhere,” said Klein.

Although BESS is one of the fastest-growing segments of the battery market, Klein believes its growth potential is not fully understood. “The market’s probably still underestimating that narrative about battery energy storage,” he said, adding that it is only now starting to be understood by people who are in the industry.

“But for the broader, generalist investor who still equates lithium with EVs, they don’t fully understand the battery energy storage angle, so I think they’re still underestimating that,” said Klein. The market is projected to balloon from US$13.7 billion in 2024 to US$43.4 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 21.3 percent.

Industry analysts expect BESS installations could expand from roughly 205 gigawatt-hours in 2024 to between 520 and 700 gigawatt-hours by 2030, driven by renewable integration, grid stability needs and declining costs.

While EVs have dominated the lithium narrative, Del Real said the real opportunity was “never just a play on EVs or hybrids — it was a play on grid storage, energy storage,” with cheaper battery cells unlocking faster adoption.

That mispricing has created a contrarian opportunity, he added, noting that lithium’s neglect over the past six months has rewarded patient investors. “It’s lonely in the forest sometimes,” Del Real said. But when sentiment turns, “the re-rating can be spectacularly profitable if you know how to play it.”

Lithium exploration budgets evaporate

Lithium exploration budgets were sharply reduced in 2025 as miners retrenched amid prolonged price weakness.

S&P Global’s 2025 corporate exploration strategies study shows that spending on lithium and other critical minerals exploration fell significantly, even as overall non-ferrous exploration dipped only slightly.

Lithium, which had previously broken the US$1 billion mark for exploration spending, saw its allocation cut as junior companies tightened their belts and delayed programs. Cuts were most pronounced in traditional exploration hubs such as Canada, Australia and the US, where weakened junior sectors hit budgets hardest; meanwhile, regions like Chile, Peru and Saudi Arabia recorded relative gains in broader exploration funding.

Lithium remains a structurally important exploration commodity despite a sharp pullback in spending, Kevin Murphy, director of metals and mining research at S&P Global, said during a December webinar.

Murphy described the metal’s rise over the past decade as a “lithium renaissance.”

Once “completely inconsequential for exploration,” lithium has become the third most explored commodity globally over the past five years, underscoring how central it has become to future-facing supply chains.

However, that momentum stalled in 2025 as ongoing price weakness forced a reset. Murphy said lithium exploration budgets were “absolutely gutted,” falling to roughly half of 2024 levels, a decline he described as expected given depressed prices and the completion of several late-stage programs that wrapped up in late 2024 and early 2025.

“The lithium price has been depressed for too long for the budgets to be resilient,” he said, framing the downturn as cyclical rather than structural.

Lithium stocks stage H2 rally

Speaking at this year’s Benchmark Week event in November, Sean Gilmartin, senior equity analyst at Bloomberg, explained that lithium equities staged a sharp rebound in H2 after years of underperformance.

After lagging broader materials and chemical indexes for much of the first half of the year, lithium stocks surged in the second half of the year, closely tracking rising spot prices.

“Over a three year window, lithium names were still very much lagging,” Gilmartin said, “but we’ve flipped the script in a few months. Year-to-date, we’re seeing on average 47 percent gains, closely aligned with spot markets.”

He attributed the turnaround to stronger-than-expected lithium demand, particularly from BESS, as well as supply curtailments in China, which have tightened the market.

Despite the rebound, he cautioned that volatility remains a defining feature of the lithium equities space.

“You need to have a long-term view, and you have to be very adherent to your thesis,” Gilmartin said, noting that the demand story remains intact and that fundamentals continue to support growth through 2026 and beyond.

Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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Lundin to Sell Eagle Nickel-Copper Mine and Humboldt Mill to Talon Metals

Lundin Mining (TSX:LUN,OTC Pink:LUNMF) has agreed to sell its Eagle mine and Humboldt mill in Michigan to Talon Metals (TSX:TLO,OTCID:TLOFF), pivoting its US-based operations to focus on domestic supply.

The transaction will see Lundin Mining receive 275.2 million Talon shares, representing 18.4 percent of Talon’s outstanding equity, with a total implied value of approximately US$83.7 million based on recent trading prices.

Following the deal, Lundin Mining’s stake in Talon will rise to 19.99 percent.

The Eagle mine, acquired by Lundin Mining in 2013, has produced more than 194,000 metric tons of nickel and 185,000 metric tons of copper. It had generated over US$3.2 billion in revenue as of the third quarter of 2025.

The strategic rationale for the deal centers on consolidating US nickel-copper assets under a single operator, while allowing Lundin Mining to concentrate on its larger-scale copper operations in Brazil and Chile.

Talon will operate the Eagle mine and Humboldt mill while adding new exploration opportunities, including the Tamarack project and its newly discovered Vault zone. Discovered through recent drilling, Vault features 47.33 meters of 11.01 percent nickel and 11.4 percent copper, as well as platinum-group metals.

“The combination of Talon and Eagle will create a pure-play US nickel company anchored by the Eagle mine, the only primary nickel mine currently operating in the United States,” said Lundin Mining President and CEO Jack Lundin.

“This transaction unlocks meaningful synergies, including the opportunity to leverage the Humboldt Mill as a shared, centralized processing facility,’ the executive added.

Darby Stacey, who has managed Eagle mine operations since commissioning, will assume the role of CEO and director of Talon. Lundin Mining will nominate Jack Lundin and Juan Andrés Morel to Talon’s reconstituted 10 member board.

The deal also includes arrangements such as a production payment agreement for non-Eagle ore processed at the Humboldt mill, transitional services provided by Lundin Mining and investor rights protections.

The transaction is expected to close in early January 2026, pending approval from the TSX and customary closing conditions. Talon will continue to trade on the TSX under the symbol TLO.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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Laurion Announces Closing Of Private Placement Of Flow-Through Units

(TheNewswire)

      

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

TORONTO, ONTARIO (December 22, 2025) TheNewswire – Laurion Mineral Exploration Inc. (TSX.V: LME|OTC: LMEFF|FSE: 5YD) (‘LAURION’ or the ‘Corporation’) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously-announced non-brokered private placement (the ‘Private Placement’) consisting of flow-through units (the ‘FT Units’). Pursuant to the Private Placement, the Corporation issued 4,619,130 FT Units at a subscription price of $0.33 per FT Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Corporation of $1,524,313.

Each FT Unit consists of one common share of the Corporation (each, a ‘FT Share‘) and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each, a ‘Warrant‘). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one non flow-through common share of the Corporation at a price of $0.39 per share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. The FT Shares and the Warrants comprising the FT Units qualify as ‘flow-through shares’, as defined in subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the ‘Tax Act‘).

The gross proceeds of the Private Placement will be used for ‘Canadian exploration expenses’ (within the meaning of the Tax Act), which will qualify, once renounced, as ‘flow-through mining expenditures’, as defined in the Tax Act, which will be renounced with an effective date of no later than December 31, 2025 (provided the subscriber deals at arm’s length with the Corporation at all relevant times) to the initial purchasers of FT Units in an aggregate amount not less than the gross proceeds raised from the issue of the FT Units. LAURION intends to allocate the proceeds from the Private Placement to advance the Corporation’s 2026 drill program on the Ishkõday property. Planned drilling will focus on key areas within the A-Zone/McLeod and CRK Trend, as well as the historic Sturgeon River Mine area. These zones have been prioritized based on their structural characteristics, surface observations and past drill results, as LAURION continues to build on its growing understanding of the broader mineralized system.

‘This financing enables us to keep advancing our disciplined, technically driven approach to unlocking the potential of the Ishkõday system,’ said Cynthia Le Sueur-Aquin, President and CEO. ‘We are targeting areas with strong structural and geological signals, guided by strong technical fundamentals and a clear strategy for long-term value creation.’

In connection with the Private Placement, certain arm’s-length finders received an aggregate of $66,559 as a cash finder’s commission and an aggregate of 201,693 finder’s warrants. Each finder’s warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one non flow-through common share of the Corporation at a price of $0.33 per share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance.

Pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws, all securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement are subject to a hold period of four months and one day, expiring on April 23, 2026. The Private Placement remains subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the ‘TSXV‘).

About LAURION Mineral Exploration Inc.

 

The Corporation is a mid-stage junior mineral exploration and development company listed on the TSXV under the symbol LME and on the OTCPINK under the symbol LMEFF. LAURION now has 278,716,413 outstanding shares, of which approximately 73.6% are owned and controlled by insiders who are eligible investors under the ‘Friends and Family’ categories.

 

LAURION’s emphasis is on the exploration and development of its flagship project, the 100% owned mid-stage 57 km2 Ishkõday Project, and its gold-rich polymetallic mineralization.

 

LAURION’s chief priority remains maximizing shareholder value. A large portion of the Corporation’s focus in this regard falls within the scope of its mineral exploration activities and more specifically, advancing the Ishkõday Project. A consequence of LAURION’s success and advancement over the past several years is that the Corporation has become positioned as an acquisition target for appropriate potential acquirors. Accordingly, the Corporation’s Board of Directors is aware that possible strategic alternatives and transactional opportunities may arise and/or could be procured in the short or medium terms. The Corporation will promptly issue a press release if any material change occurs.

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:


LAURION Mineral Exploration Inc.

 

Cynthia Le Sueur-Aquin – President and CEO

Tel: 1-705-788-9186 Fax: 1-705-805-9256

 

Douglas Vass – Investor Relations Consultant

Email: info@laurion.ca

 

Website: http://www.LAURION.ca

 

Follow us on: X (@LAURION_LME), Instagram (laurionmineral) and LinkedIn ()

 

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the Corporation’s current expectations regarding future events including with respect to LAURION’s business, operations and condition, management’s objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions, the use of proceeds of the Private Placement, the Corporation’s ability to advance, expand and/or develop the Ishkõday Project and any possible strategic alternatives and transactional opportunities that may arise and/or could be procured in the future with respect to the Corporation. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events and future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements could differ materially from those projected herein including as a result of a change in the trading price of the common shares of LAURION, the TSXV not providing its final approval for the Private Placement (including the payment of finders’ fees in connection therewith) or any strategic alternatives or transactional opportunities, the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities, future prices of gold and/or other metals, and those factors disclosed in the Corporation’s publicly filed documents. Investors should consult the Corporation’s ongoing quarterly and annual filings, as well as any other additional documentation comprising the Corporation’s public disclosure record, for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. Subject to applicable law, the Corporation disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. All sample values are from grab samples and channel samples, which by their nature, are not necessarily representative of overall grades of mineralized areas. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on the assay values reported in this press release.

 

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICE PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

  

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia

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DK Metcalf gets into altercation with Lions fan during Week 16 game

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf got into an altercation with a fan during the first half of his team’s Week 16 game against the Detroit Lions.

CBS’ cameras captured video of the skirmish. Metcalf was seen having a conversation with a fan sitting in the first row of the stands at Ford Field on Sunday.

The veteran receiver then took a swipe at the fan, who was clad in a blue wig and leaning over the railing during the duo’s discussion.

Below is a full look at the incident:

‘He doesn’t like his government name,’ Kennedy said. ‘I called him that and then he grabbed me and ripped my shirt. I’m a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby.’

CBS’ sideline reporter, Tracy Wolfson, also provided an account of the incident after watching it unfold.

‘[Metcalf] came over because the fan in the stands was holding a ‘4’ Pittsburgh jersey,’ Wolfson explained. ‘He went over and the fan said something to him, obviously. Metcalf did not like what he said and you saw the swipe there. No Steelers came over to him and mentioned anything.’

Luckily for Metcalf, the officials did not see his altercation with the fan. As a result, the 28-year-old receiver was able to remain in Sunday’s game.

That said, Metcalf could face additional discipline from the NFL, which is expected to review the incident ahead of the Steelers’ Week 17 game against the Cleveland Browns.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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Why local TV broadcasts of 30 NBA, NHL, MLB teams could be in jeopardy

The fate of 30 NBA, NHL and MLB teams’ local television broadcasts could hang in the balance if a proposed sale to sports streaming platform DAZN isn’t completed next month.

According to a Sports Business Journal report, Main Street Sports Group missed its December rights payment to the St. Louis Cardinals, raising a red flag as it looks to complete a proposed sale to DAZN. If that deal doesn’t go through, sources tell SBJ that Main Street – the owner of the FanDuel-branded regional sports networks − would initiate plans to dissolve its business.

If that happens, the broadcast rights would revert back to the individual teams.

FanDuel Sports Network currently broadcasts games for 13 NBA teams, eight in the NHL and nine in MLB.

SBJ reports that the NBA conducted a conference call last week with executives from those 13 teams to discuss their options. If the DAZN sale falls through, it could put the status of the local broadcasts in limbo during the middle of the regular season, a situation one team executive called ‘our worst fear.’

Main Street Sports Group is the new name of the former Diamond Sports Group, which emerged from a lengthy Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding a year ago.

NBA teams broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network

For the 2025-26 season, local broadcast rights payments to 13 NBA teams by Main Street Sports Group totaled a reported $180 million.

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • San Antonio Spurs

NHL teams broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network

  • Carolina Hurricanes
  • Columbus Blue Jackets
  • Detroit Red Wings
  • Los Angeles Kings
  • Minnesota Wild
  • Nashville Predators
  • St. Louis Blues
  • Tampa Bay Lightning

MLB teams broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network

  • Atlanta Braves
  • Cincinnati Reds
  • Detroit Tigers
  • Kansas City Royals
  • Los Angeles Angels
  • Miami Marlins
  • Milwaukee Brewers
  • St. Louis Cardinals
  • Tampa Bay Rays
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