Your Ultimate Sports Events 2026 Review

Curious which global fixtures will shape your travel plans next year? This guide puts the biggest dates in one clear place, from the FIFA World Cup across North America to the Winter Olympics in Italy.

Use this compact calendar to line up travel, hotels and tickets with peak demand. Expect UK highlights such as Wimbledon, The Open at Royal Birkdale and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, plus majors like the Australian Open and the US Open Tennis.

Powerful Tickets works with official ticket wholesalers to offer the best priced tickets that are 100% guaranteed, helping you prioritise high-demand finals and early group-stage openers.

Plan by month, track venues and factor in time zones to combine city breaks with top fixtures. This short introduction sets the scene, read on to map your ideal year and lock in the dates that matter.

What to expect in 2026: a landmark year for global sport

Expect a calendar that shifts from high-altitude medals in Italy to football fever across North America. The year opens with the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo (6–22 February), followed by the Winter Paralympics (6–15 March). These alpine weeks will create heavy demand for accommodation and travel close to mountain venues and city ice arenas.

The centrepiece of summer is the FIFA World Cup (11 June–19 July) across the USA, Canada and Mexico. Planning routes between host cities is crucial because football matches will be spread widely and ticket demand spikes from opening day to the final. Consider midweek fixtures for better availability.

Women’s elite competition also shapes the season: the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (12 June–5 July, England & Wales) and The Women’s Open (TBD July/August, UK) anchor a busy home summer. Both men’s and women’s calendars overlap in several sports, so check fixture lists to avoid clashes when combining trips.

Powerful Tickets works with official ticket wholesalers to offer the best priced tickets that are 100% guaranteed, helping you lock in finals, medal sessions and marquee match days with confidence.

sports events 2026 at a glance: the unmissable global headliners

A lineup of global headliners will shape travel plans from Alpine slopes to packed stadia. Plan around the big dates below to combine city breaks with must-see match days and finals.

Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics & Paralympics

Winter action runs 6–22 February, with the Paralympics from 6–15 March. Milan’s arenas and Cortina’s mountain courses create a compact winter window ideal for combining city and alpine stays.

FIFA World Cup across USA, Canada & Mexico

The world cup (11 June–19 July) spans three countries, so link match tickets with domestic travel early. For football fans, locking contiguous accommodation across group and knockout rounds reduces transit stress.

Commonwealth Games, Glasgow

The commonwealth games (23 July–2 August) will draw large crowds for swimming, cycling and athletics. Rail links make venue clusters easy to reach from central Glasgow.

Asian Games and the women’s spotlight

Aichi & Nagoya host the Asian Games (19 Sept–4 Oct), a late-season multi-sport finale with milder autumn weather.

Meanwhile, women’s fixtures include the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (12 June–5 July) and The Women’s Open in the UK. Women’s cricket and elite golf will attract family-friendly scheduling and championship-weekend demand.

Powerful Tickets works with official ticket wholesalers to offer the best priced tickets that are 100% guaranteed. Anchor your itinerary on these headliners, then layer in tennis Slams and cycling Grand Tours to maximise each trip.

Month-by-month UK highlights for your 2026 diary

Plan your UK diary month by month to catch the biggest match days and championship weekends. Below are the headline dates and quick tips to help you lock travel and tickets early.

February: Six Nations kick-off across England, Scotland and Wales

February 2026 opens with the Six Nations, so Cardiff, Edinburgh and London will be busy on match weekends. Book trains and city-centre hotels well ahead to avoid premium fares.

April: The Masters viewing, Grand National and World Snooker

March 2026 builds towards April fixtures, making it a smart month to secure travel for The Masters TV gatherings (9–12 April) and Aintree’s Grand National on 11 April.

Sheffield hosts the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible from 18 April–4 May. Split dates between Liverpool and Sheffield if you plan to attend both weekends.

May: FA Cup Final and the French Open

In May 2026 the FA Cup Final at Wembley (16 May) is a must‑book fixture. Roland‑Garros starts on 24 May in Paris — an easy Eurostar hop for a two‑city break that pairs well with mid‑May travel.

June to July: Women’s T20, U.S. Open Golf, Wimbledon and the Tour

June 2026 begins with the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (12 June–5 July) staged across England and Wales. Golf fans will follow the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills on primetime UK TV.

Late June into July 2026 brings Wimbledon (29 June–12 July) in SW19 and the Tour de France Grand Départ overseas, offering a classic tennis-and-cycling double for visitors.

July: The Open and the Commonwealth Games

July 2026 peaks with The Open at Royal Birkdale (16–19 July), where links weather alters play by the hour. Glasgow then hosts the Commonwealth Games (23 July–2 August), with compact venues and good transport links.

Powerful Tickets works with official ticket wholesalers to offer the best priced tickets that are 100% guaranteed. Use London as a hub for quick rail connections to the North West and Scotland when combining fixtures.

Football finals and world stages to circle now

Lock dates now to avoid last‑minute price spikes and travel headaches. Late spring delivers a compact run of headline fixtures that demands careful routing and flexible bookings.

UEFA Champions League Final - Puskás Aréna, Budapest (30 May)

The continental decider in Budapest is fixed for 30 May. Arrive the evening before to enjoy fan zones and smoother stadium access.

FA Cup Final - Wembley Stadium, London (16 May)

Ringfence mid‑May 2026 for the FA Cup final at Wembley. London transport and hospitality sell out fast; allow an extra 90–120 minutes for station queues and security on match day.

FIFA World Cup - group stage to final (June–July)

The fifa world tournament runs across USA, Canada and Mexico from 11 June–19 July. Map your target group‑stage cities early since knockout reassignment can force itinerary changes.

Plan for back‑to‑back finals travel, the FA Cup to champions league fortnight can be costly if you need premium seating or hospitality. Consider a two‑centre break (Budapest plus Vienna or Prague) and use rail for value and convenience.

Powerful Tickets works with official ticket wholesalers to offer the best priced tickets that are 100% guaranteed. For may 2026, lock flights by March and keep hotels on flexible terms if you plan to follow a nation through june july.

Rackets, racing and greens: tennis, motorsport, golf and more

From hard courts to high‑speed straights, the mid‑year calendar offers a rich mix for fans of racket sports, motorsport and links golf. Build a travel arc that starts in Melbourne and flows through Paris, London and New York.

Grand Slams and season arcs

The Australian Open runs 12 January–1 February in Melbourne, followed by the French Open (24 May–7 June) in Paris. Wimbledon follows on grass (29 June–12 July) and the US Open concludes the major run (30 August–13 September) in New York.

Motorsport highlights

Endurance and street racing sit close together in June: Le Mans (13–14 June) at the Circuit de la Sarthe and the Monaco Grand Prix (June, TBD) in Monte Carlo. Pairing these gives a contrasting taste of glamour and grit for racing fans.

Golf majors and cycling sports events 2026

Majors spread across April to July: The Masters (9–12 April), the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club (14–17 May), the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills (18–21 June) and The Open at Royal Birkdale (16–19 July).

The Tour de France (4–26 July) dominates mid‑summer and the UCI Road World Championships arrive in Montreal (20–27 September) for a compact, spectator‑friendly finale.

"Powerful Tickets works with official ticket wholesalers to offer the best priced tickets that are 100% guaranteed."

Planning tips: build your tennis itinerary from Melbourne to Roland‑Garros, queue smart for Wimbledon (29 June–12 July) and stagger trips for june july overlaps to avoid clashes with Le Mans and early Tour stages. Use Eurostar and regional rail to move efficiently between venues.

Cricket, rugby and horse racing: packed calendars across formats

A busy calendar of cricket, rugby and horse racing fills the first half of the year, with global fixtures that demand early planning. Build itineraries that pair city breaks with match days to get the best value and local atmosphere.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup — India & Sri Lanka (1 Feb–1 Mar)

The men’s ICC T20 opens the cricket year across India and Sri Lanka. Expect february-to-march humidity and evening starts that shape travel between coastal and inland venues.

Book internal flights and city hotels early, especially ahead of knockout rounds.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup — England & Wales (12 Jun–5 Jul)

England and Wales host the women’s T20 showpiece in June–July, creating family-friendly double-headers and accessible regional fixtures. Mix group-stage matches across cities to savour local atmospheres from Cardiff Bay to London.

Six Nations across the UK & Europe (Feb–Mar)

The Six Nations compresses marquee rugby into February and March weekends. Cardiff, Edinburgh and London see peak hotel and rail demand on match days. Plan to arrive the day before for smoother stadium access and fan zones.

Grand National, Aintree (11 Apr) and Melbourne Cup (November, TBA)

Horse racing peaks in the UK with the Grand National on 11 April. Race‑day transport includes special Merseyrail services and shuttle buses; allow extra time for station crowds.

The Melbourne Cup rounds out the global flat calendar in November and remains a bucket‑list horse meeting for international visitors.

"Powerful Tickets works with official ticket wholesalers to offer the best priced tickets that are 100% guaranteed."

How to plan and buy 100% guaranteed tickets at the best prices

Create a working calendar now so you catch key on-sale moments and avoid last-minute price spikes. Start by adding fixed dates for headline fixtures and leave room for late announcements. This gives you a clear view of when to set alerts and buy.

Buy with confidence: Powerful Tickets works with official ticket wholesalers

Use verified marketplaces that partner with official wholesalers. Powerful Tickets works with official ticket wholesalers to offer the best priced tickets that are 100% guaranteed. That guarantee removes the stress of unreliable listings and last-minute turnstile problems.

Plan ahead for high-demand fixtures: FIFA World Cup, Wimbledon, Commonwealth Games

High-demand events such as the FIFA World Cup (11 June–19 July), Wimbledon (29 June–12 July) and the Commonwealth Games (23 July–2 August) sell out fast. Build your calendar around finals and medal sessions, which vanish first.

"Finals and medal sessions typically sell out first; plan flexible travel and lock tickets early."

Practical tips: prioritise refundable hotels near transport hubs for the june july window, use ballot and hospitality routes for Wimbledon, and target weekday finals at Glasgow to find better availability. Consolidate multi-city trips to save on travel and always choose a verified seller with a 100% guarantee.

Conclusion

Finish planning with a clear calendar that balances must‑see finals and flexible travel days.

Anchor february 2026 around the Milan‑Cortina winter olympics and leave march open for the Paralympics and late rugby deciders.

Use april 2026 for UK highlights, Grand National and the Crucible, then prioritise may 2026 logistics for cup final weekends and the champions league run‑in.

Balance june 2026 to cover tennis in Paris and the world cup kick‑off, and spread july 2026 attendance between football knockouts, Wimbledon finals and The Open.

Powerful Tickets works with official ticket wholesalers to offer the best priced tickets that are 100% guaranteed. Lock tickets first, then refine travel and venue details so your calendar runs smoothly.