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The Game

The Times
Arsenal
Premier League
Liverpool
Manchester City
Chelsea
Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur
England National Football Team
Champions League
World Cup
World Cup 2026
England
EFL
Aston Villa
Championship
Wrexham
Nottingham Forest
League One
Coventry City
Crystal Palace

The thinking fan's football podcast, providing previews and reviews of all the action - every Monday and Thursday.

Listen to the best of The Times and The Sunday Times journalists as they cover the biggest sport on the planet; from winners to losers, who's in and out on the transfer roundabout, tactical developments, data analysis and the dreaded VAR.

Hosted by Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson alo... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1389Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SoccerEntertainment NewsNewsSports

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Artwork for The Game

Latest Episodes

The Premier League is back and if the opening weekend is anything to go by it could be an unpredictable season. 

Hull shocked Man United, Brentford reminded Roberto De Zerbi of the tough job he faces at Spurs and Brighton thumped Villa. 

Promoted I... more

The 2026/27 Premier League season is here. So, it is prediction time.

Who is going to win it, who is in the top four? Who's getting relegated, who could be looking over their shoulders?  

Plus who will be the surprise packages, who are we most exci... more

The Football League is back and as unpredictable as ever. 

Gregor Robertson joins Tom Clarke to discuss the opening weekend in The Championship, League One and League Two after plenty of reminders of why these divisions are so hard to call. 

Will L... more

Are Arsenal clear favourites to retain the title? Do Man City really need more players and are Chelsea dark horses? Just some of the questions we answer in the first of our Premier League Preview shows.

Tom Clarke, Alyson Rudd, Gregor Robertson and ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Joe Haas
Guest, preview/show reinforcement
The Times/The Sunday Times
Episode: EFL EXTRA: Lankshear shines and surprises galore
Joe Harston
Journalist and Middlesbrough fan in the studio
The Times
Episode: The BIG Football League season preview
Martyn Ziegler
Chief sports reporter at The Times, lead on Infantino story
The Times
Episode: Infantino clings on and a big fortnight on Merseyside
Paul Joyce
Northern football correspondent
The Times
Episode: Infantino clings on and a big fortnight on Merseyside
Tom Allnutt
Football Reporter who covered the World Cup
The Times
Episode: WORLD CUP DAY 39: Argentina got what they deserved and "England players must think for themselves."
Tom Allnut
Studio contributor
The Times
Episode: WORLD CUP DAY 38: Big final preview, as England take bronze
Ian Hawkey
Football writer providing analysis on France and Didier Deschamps
The Times and Sunday Times
Episode: WORLD CUP DAY 37: The big one! No, really...
Martin Samuel
Chief correspondent for The Times and Sunday Times
The Times and Sunday Times
Episode: WORLD CUP DAY 27: Argentina win another thriller, is England their destiny?
Matt Lawton
Chief Sports Correspondent
The Times
Episode: WORLD CUP DAY 25: England's epic win in the Azteca

Hosts

Tom Clarke
Host of The Game
Gregor Robertson
Co-host of The Game

Reviews

3.4 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • Holly Johnson on mogadon

    Poor Tom - listening to Paul Joyce is like listening to Holly Johnson on mogadon.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Rhysie Babes
    United Kingdom18 days ago
  • Quality has gone down

    I used to enjoy this podcast. But the recent episodes about the World Cup have been bad. Tom Clarke has been watching all the matches and presents the podcast half asleep which creates a poor show. Gregor does have good points but goes on about VAR constantly. It has become a show about a few guys talking football at the pub. No quality insight. Also they like to pat each other on the back for their articles.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    milltied
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • England

    We need to give it everything. IE Wimbledon v Liverpool. Not pretty but die on the sword

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Celine12!
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Disappointing & very woke

    It’s not terrible but you have a Scotsman that openly hates England ‘which is fine’ but then you have an Englishman who hates England & loves Scotland!! The negativity over your own country is pathetic!!

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    keanecody
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Mark Ralph

    I absolutely love this pod ! Interesting,thought provoking and fun ….. Top class journalists. Keep it up gang !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Real Ralph
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners enjoy sharp, informed football discussion and strong hosting; guests add credibility and depth.
The show is valued for its tactical insights and insider journalism, though some listeners want less on-air overlap and more diverse club coverage.
Guests from The Times/Sunday Times bring high-level analysis that appeals to serious fans.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#40
United States/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#24
United Kingdom/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#37
Canada/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#53
United Kingdom/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#28
Australia/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#155
Italy/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Infantino clings on and a big fortnight on Merseyside
Q: How are Liverpool and Everton navigating the current transfer window amid financial constraints and performance expectations?
Paul Joyce outlines a difficult window for both clubs, with high price tags, a need for defensive reinforcement at Liverpool, and Everton balancing development with immediate performance pressures, all within a broader context of managerial changes and fan expectations.
Infantino clings on and a big fortnight on Merseyside
Q: What is your read on Infantino's next move, given the recent events and the elections looming?
Martyn Ziegler explains that Infantino will likely pursue a stay-and-survive strategy, leveraging support from loyal FIFA members and possible governance maneuvers, while hoping to weather the backlash until elections resolve the leadership questions.
TIMES EXCLUSIVE: FIFA - Football for sale
Q: So what is the story and what is being proposed that you've revealed on The Times website today?
The proposal is to set up a new company where private investors could own about 30% of the World Cup, FIFA would retain roughly 51%, and member associations would hold the rest, effectively co-owning the tournament with private funds.
WORLD CUP DAY 33: Why Mbappe is a great captain
Q: What makes Mbappe such a strong captain and leader for France, especially in the context of off-field challenges?
Mbappe demonstrates resilience, vocal leadership, and a readiness to represent the team and country under pressure, traits that elevate him as a role model and captain.
WORLD CUP DAY 33: Why Mbappe is a great captain
Q: Is England capable of beating Argentina and reaching the final based on what you've seen of the two teams?
England can win if they play well and harness their tactical discipline and mental strength, though the matchup could be tight and influenced by injuries and fatigue.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Game

What is The Game about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show offers sharp roundups and thoughtful previews of football across the global game, with a heavy emphasis on the Premier League and the English leagues. Episodes typically feature a rotating panel of Times and Sunday Times journalists, plus notable ex-players, delivering tactical analysis, transfer and managerial narratives, and reaction to big moments like title races, relegation scraps, and major cup ties. A standout trait is its data-informed, opinionated banter—usually anchored by a confident host duo—that blends statistical context with storytelling, and often includes memorable dressing-room anecdotes and behind-the-scenes perspectives. The format is especially helpful for listeners who want clear, insider viewpoints on teams,... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Game?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Game:

1. The Totally Football Show with James Richardson
2. The Athletic FC Podcast
3. Football Daily
4. Football Weekly
5. Football Ramble

How many episodes of The Game are there?

The Game launched 20 years ago and published 1389 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Game?

Recent guests on The Game include:

1. Joe Haas
2. Joe Harston
3. Martyn Ziegler
4. Paul Joyce
5. Tom Allnutt
6. Tom Allnut
7. Ian Hawkey
8. Martin Samuel

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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