Local Sports Headlines

2026 high school football team preview: Cathedral City Lions

August 6, 2026 4:20 PM Blake Arthur

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) — Watch the video for a full team preview on Cathedral City ahead of the 2026 high school football season. 2025 Record: 4-6 overall, 1-2 league 2026 Schedule: See below DateOpponentLocationTimeAug. 21Santa Rosa AcademyHome7:00 PMAug. 28San BernardinoAway7:00 PMSept. 3Notre DameHome7:00 PMSept. 11Xavier PrepHome7:00 PMSept. 18Desert Christian AcademyAway7:00 PMSept. 25Arrowhead ChristianHome7:00 PMOct.

Berger Foundation Iceplex reopens August 10 with promotions to beat the heat

August 6, 2026 2:37 PM KESQ STAFF

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — As the Coachella Valley faces high temperatures, Berger Foundation Iceplex is bringing the ice back just in time. The rink reopens to the public on Monday, August 10, after crews began flooding the ice on August 5 and painted the surface, lines and logos on August 6. To celebrate the

Thanksgiving college basketball event returns to Acrisure Arena in November

August 6, 2026 10:38 AM KESQ STAFF

The 2026 Acrisure Series returns to Acrisure Arena in Greater Palm Springs from Nov. 21-26, bringing together 26 NCAA Division I men’s basketball programs for 26 games over six days during Thanksgiving week. This year’s field includes top programs such as USC, LSU, Stanford, Arizona State, South Carolina, SMU, Utah State and Grand Canyon. Marquee

2026 high school football team preview: Desert Hot Springs Golden Eagles

August 5, 2026 1:08 PM Blake Arthur

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Watch the video for a full team preview on Desert Hot Springs ahead of the 2026 high school football season. 2025 Record: 5-6 overall, 2-1 league 2026 Schedule: See below DateOpponentLocationTimeAug. 21TahquitzAway7:00 p.m.Aug. 28Xavier PrepAway7:00 p.m.Sept. 4RialtoHome7:00 p.m.Sept. 11Granite HillsHome7:00 p.m.Sept. 17 (Thu.)Rancho MirageHome7:00 p.m.Sept. 25MillerAway7:00 p.m.Oct. 2IndioAway7:00 p.m.Oct.

2026 high school football team preview: Desert Mirage Rams

August 4, 2026 5:12 PM Blake Arthur

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) — Watch the video for a full team preview on Desert Mirage ahead of the 2026 high school football season. 2025 Record: 3-7 overall, 0-3 league 2026 Schedule: See below DateOpponentLocationThursday, Aug. 20@ DuarteAwayFriday, Aug. 28@ San Jacinto Valley AcademyAwayFriday, Sept. 4@ MendezAwayFriday, Sept. 18vs. Whittier ChristianHomeFriday, Sept. 25@ San GorgonioAwayFriday, Oct.

2026 high school football team preview: Desert Christian Academy Conquerors

August 3, 2026 5:42 PM Blake Arthur

BERMUDA DUNES, Calif. (KESQ) — Watch the video for a full team preview on Desert Christian Academy ahead of the 2026 high school football season. 2025 Record: 10-1 overall, 6-0 league 2026 Schedule: See below DateOpponentTimeLocationAug. 21Twentynine Palms7 p.m.HomeAug. 29at Arrowhead Christian7 p.m.AwaySept. 4SJVA*7 p.m.HomeSept. 11Yucca Valley7 p.m.HomeSept. 18Cathedral City7 p.m.HomeOct. 2Ontario Christian*7 p.m.HomeOct. 9at

The Firebirds announce the 2026-27 schedule, filled with fan-favorite theme nights

August 3, 2026 3:38 PM Haley Meberg

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)– The Coachella Valley Firebirds celebrate the beginning of their fifth season by unveiling the team’s 2026-27 promotional calendar filled with a season full of fan-favorite theme nights. The season officially begins Friday, Oct. 2, when the Firebirds host the Ontario Reign. New additions to this season’s schedule include Coachella Valley Lakers

More than baseball: Former local standout Travis Moniot making most of opportunity in Banana Ball

August 2, 2026 4:12 PM Blake Arthur

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — For many baseball players, they dream of playing Major League Baseball. But for Travis Moniot, that dream has evolved. “If you’d rather play Banana Ball or in the big leagues, 162 games or on the weekends in sold-out stadiums and do what we do, I’m 99% positive you’ll say you’d

College of the Desert invests millions in athletics programs with facilities upgrade

July 31, 2026 6:49 PM Blake Arthur

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — College of the Desert is getting a facelift for its athletics teams, specifically football and soccer. The $38.5 million dollar project is part of a phased development plan identified in the 2020 Athletics Facilities Feasibility study. This first phase involved the demolition of the existing football stadium to make way

Firebirds bringing back veteran blue-liner Gustav Oloffson

July 29, 2026 9:47 PM Blake Arthur

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — The Coachella Valley Firebirds announced Wednesday that the team has signed defenseman Gustav Olofsson to a one-year American Hockey League contract. Olofsson, 31, returns to the Firebirds after appearing in 48 games during the 2025-26 season, recording 32 points (4 goals, 28 assists) and led all Coachella Valley skaters in +/- with

La Quinta-based Vanessa’s Kitchen makes large impact on Indio boxing community, athletes training

July 25, 2026 5:47 PM Kendall Flynn, Blake Arthur

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Vanessa’s Kitchen is a La Quinta-based meal prep business, run by Vanessa Ayon. While she works to help people in the Coachella Valley, she’s also made a large impact on the boxing community in Indio. Tito and Leo Sanchez are professional boxers, originally from Cathedral City. They are brothers who have

New Desert Athletic Conference for local high school sports starts this season

July 24, 2026 5:20 PM Blake Arthur

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — Don’t look now, but we are just four Fridays away from the return of high school football. In 29 days, the new high school season will kick-off, and will be doing so under a new conference. The Desert Athletic Conference will debut not just for football, but for all high

CVHS girls soccer team receives championship rings

July 23, 2026 10:07 PM Jesus Reyes

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley High School girls soccer team received championship rings recognizing their historic 2025-2026 season. The Lady Arabs team was presented with the championship rings during Thursday’s Coachella Valley Unified School District board meeting. “To see all the support we got specially because it was the first time the whole

Former star athlete Elise Stein giving back to local community through coaching

July 23, 2026 7:04 PM Blake Arthur

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — With the sizzling summer months here in our desert, pools are a popular place to cool off. But safety is always a concern, especially with children. That’s where Elise Stein comes in. A former star athlete turned coach, Stein is giving back to the local community, while pursuing her passion

Local runner Amelio Chio chasing dream of qualifying for U.S. Olympic marathon trials

July 22, 2026 3:59 PM Kendall Flynn, Blake Arthur

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Amelio Chio is a local runner pursuing his passion and lifelong dream. From being a standout at Cathedral City high school, to College of the Desert, to a few more colleges after that, Chio had a successful career. But it’s not over yet. Chio is chasing his biggest achievement to date

Season tickets live for the inaugural Coachella Valley Lakers season

July 20, 2026 10:48 AM Tommy Gallegos

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Season Ticket Memberships are officially live for the inaugural Coachella Valley Lakers season at Acrisure Arena. Fans can now lock in their seats, enjoy exclusive member benefits, and be there from day one as the newest chapter of professional basketball begins in the desert. Beginning this fall, Acrisure Arena will

Palm Springs Power win CPCL championship

July 19, 2026 7:49 PM Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Power defeated the Inland Valley Legends to win its fourth consecutive championship title in the California Premier Collegiate League. The Power played Game 1 against the Inland Valley Legends on the road at California Baptist University on Saturday. The Power ultimately fell 6-4 in Game 1 of

Soccer fans share World Cup Final excitement, hopes for new generation of players next tournament

July 19, 2026 7:42 PM Kendall Flynn

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The 2026 FIFA World Cup has come to an end, with Spain defeating Argentina 1-0. Local fans at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino said it’s been a match they’ve been waiting to watch. Heading into the World Cup Final, fan had a variety of predictions for which team could take it all.

Youth athletes work to stay active despite triple-digit heat

July 18, 2026 10:44 PM Kendall Flynn

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – In the summer, there are not a lot of places athletes can go in the Coachella Valley to get out and play. For Miguel Sanchez, it’s something that has been a challenge growing up in the valley. He said he may not be on a basketball team, but he still wants a

Tri-Valley Little League softball all-stars win Southern California State Championship

July 17, 2026 9:02 PM Kendall Flynn

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Tri-Valley Little League softball all-stars have taken the Southern California State Tournament championship title in Hemet. The team, based in Yucca Valley, advanced to the state tournament after winning the District 58 championship. After competing in the senior league bracket, Tri-Valley defeated Fontana Elks on Thursday 11-7. Their state title,