With 2026 getting that much closer, sports fans around the world are gearing up for another year of exciting events
And this one might be bigger than ever before.
From the peaks of the Alpines to stadiums packed with chanting crowds, next year’s events span continents, genres and seasons. It will definitely be an entertaining year, so when you’re not playing online slots real money at Bally Bet, there’s lots to keep up with.
Want to start getting prepared for what’s to come? We’ve compiled a list of the top events you won’t want to miss in 2026. Read on to find out what they are.
Winter sports
Winter sports will take the spotlight soon into 2026. It’s a Winter Olympics year and the 25th edition of the Winter Games, with Italy hosting in cities including Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Taking place from the 6 to 22 February, over 3,500 athletes across 16 different sports will compete to bring home medals to their respective countries. This year is particularly exciting with the introduction of ski mountaineering to the roster.
The Winter Paralympics follows shortly after from 6 to 15 March. This will see 600 athletes compete in six para-sports and 79 medal events. The Paralympics are also introducing a new sport: a mixed doubles wheelchair curling event. For fans of winter sports, it’s certainly going to be a great year.
Football’s big moment
Winter belongs to the Olympics, but summer will be all about football. The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup is something many fans of the sport are already getting excited about the 23rd edition of the tournament. It’s also the first one in the event’s history to feature 48 teams and three host countries including Canada, Mexico and the United States, across 16 cities.
There will be more live matches than ever to keep fans entertained. Taking place from 11 June to 19th of July, it’s a whole month of the game to enjoy!
Summer multisport and global tournaments
The World Cup will certainly be one to watch but sports fans won’t be hanging very long after its completion. That’s because from 23 July to 2 August, the Commonwealth Games takes the centre stage. Around 3,000 athletes from dozens of nations will be heading to Glasgow to compete across 10 different sports, which include six para-sports.
The event is putting more focus than ever on inclusion, with the programme featuring integrated para events and a goal of parity in women’s and men’s competitions.
The World Baseball Classics will also be taking place next year between the 5 and 17th of March, bringing national teams to play together in venues across Miami, Tokyo, San Juan and Houston.
For fans of basketball, there’s lots on too. Special mention has to go to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, hosted in Berlin between 4 and 13th of September. Expect some of the best from the sport heading there to take the global stage.
Cyclists can also get into gear for the return of the Tour de France, which begins on July 4 and will make its start (or Grand Depart as it’s known) from Barcelona this year. It’s the race’s first start from Spain!
We can’t forget about golf. The 154th edition of The Open Championship makes its return to Royal Birkdale from 12 to 19th of July.
Annual staples
Finally, we’ve got our annual staples — the events that we all look forward to every year.
The UEFA Champions League Final has to be included. One of the most-watched single sporting events, the 2026 final will bring together some of the best football clubs across Europe like Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid in a showdown not to be forgotten.
For racing fans, the Formula 1 World Championship will be back with the 2026 season expected to introduce new power unit regulations which focus on hybrid efficiency and sustainability. Fans can also look forward to new venues like Madrid who are poised to join the calendar.
And of course there’s The Master’s Tournament. Held every April in Georgia, USA at the Augusta National Golf Club, one of the most iconic events in golf will return in 2026 and continue to showcase the sport’s new generation as rising stars challenge some of the most established golf professionals in the world.
Lots to come
No matter what type of sports fan you are, 2026 has lots in store. There’s never been a better time to get it all down in the calendar and look ahead at what’s to come!
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