{"id":220998,"date":"2026-01-01T00:01:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T00:01:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/01\/26-for-2026-unmissable-sporting-events-over-the-next-12-months\/"},"modified":"2026-01-01T00:01:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T00:01:24","slug":"26-for-2026-unmissable-sporting-events-over-the-next-12-months","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/01\/26-for-2026-unmissable-sporting-events-over-the-next-12-months\/","title":{"rendered":"26 for 2026: unmissable sporting events over the next 12 months"},"content":{"rendered":"

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1) Australian Open<\/strong> 12 January-1 February<\/h2>\n

Jannik Sinner will be aiming to become only the second man in the Open era, after Novak Djokovic, to win three consecutive Australian Open singles titles, while in the women\u2019s draw Madison Keys will be seeking to defend the title she landed via a shock victory over Aryna Sabalenka in last year\u2019s final<\/a>. Elsewhere, Roger Federer is scheduled to return to Melbourne Park for the first time since retiring from tennis in 2022<\/a> as part of a Battle of the World No 1s match, alongside Andre Agassi, Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt. \u201cIt still makes me smile when I think about all the moments I\u2019ve had here,\u201d said the Swiss legend.<\/p>\n

2) Men\u2019s & Women\u2019s Six Nations<\/strong> 5 February\u201321 March, 11 April-17 May<\/h2>\n

France begin the defence of their Six Nations crown in blockbuster fashion given they face Ireland in Paris on opening night. It should be some contest between the sides who have won the last four championships between them. Elsewhere, Italy begin their campaign against Scotland in Rome while England take on Wales at Twickenham, with Steve Borthwick\u2019s men eyeing a first Six Nations title since 2020 on the back of an excellent autumn. Meanwhile, the Red Roses begin the Women\u2019s Six Nations with a home game against Ireland, hoping to end as champions for an eighth year in succession.<\/p>\n

<\/svg><\/span>Ellie Kildunne starred in England\u2019s triumph at the Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup and will hope to continue her form in 2026.<\/span> Photograph: Tom Jenkins\/The Guardian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3) Winter Olympics<\/strong> 6 February-22 February<\/h2>\n

Milano Cortina is the host location for the 25th edition of these Games and, specifically, means 116 events in eight sports taking place at sites across Lombardy and north-east Italy during 19 days of competition, with Ski mountaineering making its debut on the Olympic programme. Team GB will be seeking to improve on the two medals \u2013 one gold, one silver \u2013 they won in Beijing four years ago. Meanwhile, Team USA, who won 25 medals in Beijing, have named Snoop Dogg as their first ever honorary coach. Cold times await for the man who sung Drop It Like It\u2019s Hot<\/a>. The Paralympic Winter Games take place in Milano Cortina between 6-15 March.<\/p>\n

4) Men\u2019s T20 World Cup<\/strong> 7 February-8 March<\/h2>\n

India and Sri Lanka co-host the 10th edition of this tournament, with the former seeking to defend the title they won in a thrilling final against South Africa<\/a> in Barbados two years ago. Pakistan and the Netherlands get proceedings under way in Colombo while England\u2019s campaign begins with a match against Nepal in Mumbai on the second day of competition. Their last experience of playing Twenty20 cricket in the subcontinent was a 4-1 series defeat to India<\/a> last year so all concerned, no one more so than captain Harry Brook, will be hoping for a better showing this time around. The final takes place at a yet-to-be confirmed venue on 8 March.<\/p>\n

<\/svg><\/span>Harry Brook will be hoping to guide England to silverware during the World T20 in India and Sri Lanka. <\/span> Photograph: Andrew Matthews\/PA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5) Super Bowl LX<\/strong> 8 February<\/h2>\n

The Levi\u2019s Stadium in Santa Clara, California hosts the 60th edition of American football\u2019s showpiece event. The Philadelphia Eagles will be seeking to defend the title they won with a 40-22 demolition of the Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> in New Orleans last year. That victory stopped the Chiefs winning a third straight Super Bowl and they have zero chance of regaining their crown in 2026 having missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Their golden era appears to be well and truly over. Benito Antonio Mart\u00ednez Ocasio \u2013 AKA Bad Bunny \u2013 will perform the half-time show, marking the first time a Latin male artist has taken to this particular stage.<\/p>\n

6) Formula One World Championship<\/strong> 6 March-6 December<\/h2>\n

The new season will again start in Australia, end in Abu Dhabi and feature 24 races, but there is some change to the schedule, with Madrid hosting a Formula One race for the first time since 1981. The \u201cMadring\u201d circuit, which will contain street and non-street sections, replaces the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola and becomes one of two F1 races in Spain, alongside Barcelona\u2019s Circuit de Catalunya. There will be a new Cadillac team as well as the introduction of new aerodynamics and power unit rules, while for Lando Norris the aim will be for much more of the same after his maiden title win in 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/svg><\/span>Lando Norris clinched his first F1 title in 2025, securing McLaren\u2019s first Drivers\u2019 Championship since 2008.<\/span> Photograph: Zak Mauger\/LAT Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7) World Athletics Indoor Championships<\/strong> 20 March-22 March<\/h2>\n

The 21st edition of this event takes place in the Polish city of Toru\u0144. More than 500 athletes from 120 teams will compete across three days of competition at the Arena Toru\u0144, with men\u2019s heptathlon getting the action going on the opening morning. The first track champions will be crowned that evening in the men\u2019s 60m final. For Team GB, the aim is to improve on the four medals \u2013 two golds, one silver, one bronze \u2013 they won at last year\u2019s championships in Nanjing. Jeremiah Azu and Amber Anning will no doubt be hoping they can strike gold again having done so in the men\u2019s 60m<\/a> and women\u2019s 400m<\/a> respectively in 2025.<\/p>\n

8) The Masters<\/strong> 9 April-12 April<\/h2>\n

Rory McIlroy returns to the scene of his greatest time<\/a>. The Northern Irishman ended his long wait for a fifth major with a dramatic playoff win over Justin Rose at Augusta last year, in the process completing a career grand slam and a lifelong ambition. \u201cI\u2019m just so proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion,\u201d McIlroy said in the afterglow of victory. He will face various challenges in his bid to reclaim the green jacket, with the world No 1, Scottie Scheffler, the standout threat. Tommy Fleetwood, Xander Schauffele and JJ Spaun, who won 2025 US Open via an incredible 64-foot birdie putt<\/a> at Oakmont Country Club, are among the other contenders.<\/p>\n

<\/svg><\/span>Rory McIlroy became the first European to complete a modern career grand slam after his victory at Augusta in 2025.<\/span> Photograph: Richard Heathcote\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9) World Snooker Championship<\/strong> 18 April-4 May<\/h2>\n

For a 50th consecutive year, snooker\u2019s premier competition takes place at the Crucible. As ever, the world\u2019s top-16 players as they stand after the 2026 Tour Championship will be seeded and joined by a further 16 players from the qualifying rounds, which take place at the English Institute of Sport, also in Sheffield, earlier in April. China\u2019s Zhao Xintong will be hoping to defend the crown he won via a 18-12 victory over Mark Williams<\/a> in last year\u2019s final and, in the process, break the Crucible curse \u2013 no first-time world champion has retained the title since the tournament moved to the Crucible in 1977.<\/p>\n

10) London Marathon<\/strong> 26 April<\/h2>\n

One of the most celebrated days in the UK sporting calendar as approximately 40,000 people take on the 26.2-mile course from Greenwich Park to the Mall, with the sight of elite runners competing in the same space as giant chickens and a man dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz never failing to bring a smile to the faces of the thousands who line the course each and every year. Last year\u2019s event saw Kenya\u2019s Sabastian Sawe win the men\u2019s race on debut in a time of 2hr 2min 27sec while Ethiopia\u2019s Tigst Assefa won the women\u2019s race in a time of 2:15.50. Both were captivating contests<\/a> \u2013 more of the same in 2026 would not go amiss.<\/p>\n

<\/svg><\/span>Sabastian Sawe ran the 2025 London Marathon with a time of 2hr 2min 27sec. <\/span> Photograph: John Walton\/PA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

11) Women\u2019s Champions League final<\/strong> 22 May<\/h2>\n

Oslo\u2019s Ullevaal Stadion hosts the showpiece event of women\u2019s club football in Europe and the hope for Arsenal is that they are there to defend the trophy they won in memorable fashion against Barcelona<\/a> in Lisbon last year. First, Ren\u00e9e Slegers\u2019 side need to navigate a playoff tie against OH Leuven, victory in which will lead to a quarter-final against Chelsea, who continue to seek their first ever Champions League title. Manchester United are also in the playoffs, with victory over Atl\u00e9tico Madrid setting up a quarter-final showdown with Bayern Munich. Barcelona and OL Lyonnes remain the teams to beat and, given how the knockout draw has been mapped out, cannot meet until the final.<\/p>\n

<\/svg><\/span>Arsenal stunned Barcelona with a 1-0 victory in the 2025 Champions League final, their first title in 18 years. <\/span> Photograph: David Ramos\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

12) Champions Cup final<\/strong> 23 May<\/h2>\n

The San Mam\u00e9s Stadium in Bilbao is the venue for European rugby\u2019s showpiece occasion and for Bordeaux-B\u00e8gles the ambition is to retain the title they secured with a 28-20 victory over Northampton<\/a> at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff last year. Can Saints go one better in 2026? Quite possibly, albeit Bath and Saracens may have something to say about that as an English team seeks to seize this crown for the first time since Exeter did so in 2020<\/a>. The Challenge Cup Final also takes place at San Mam\u00e9s the previous day. The Chiefs are in contention for that particular prize, alongside Newcastle Red Bulls, Ospreys, Dragons, Connacht and Ulster.<\/p>\n

13) Men\u2019s Champions League final<\/strong> 30 May<\/h2>\n

Could this finally be Arsenal\u2019s year? That is a question being asked in regards to their Premier League title hopes and also applies to their ambitions of winning the Champions League for a first time. Mikel Arteta\u2019s men lead the League phase with a 100% record after six games and have a statement victory under their belt having beaten Bayern Munich 3-1<\/a> at the Emirates Stadium in November. Bayern are among the other contenders to win a competition whose final takes place at the Puskas Arena in Hungary, alongside the likes of holders Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and Liverpool, if they can fully get their act together.<\/p>\n

<\/svg><\/span>PSG won their maiden Champions League title after a 5-0 thrashing of Inter in the final. <\/span> Photograph: Mike Egerton\/PA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

14) England men v New Zealand men Test series<\/strong> 4 June-25 June<\/h2>\n

England\u2019s cricketing summer begins with a three-match Test series against New Zealand, with the matches taking place at Lord\u2019s, The Oval and Trent Bridge respectively. This will be the Black Caps first Test series in England since the summer of 2022, when they lost 3-0, the hosts securing a first clean-sweep on home soil since 2011<\/a>. After New Zealand comes limited-overs series\u2019 against India and Sri Lanka either side of a three-match Test series against Pakistan, with those matches taking place at Headingley, Lord\u2019s and Edgbaston. The Pakistan series begins on 19 August, which has led to the Hundred being moved forward by a week to avoid a scheduling clash.<\/p>\n

15) The Derby<\/strong> 6 June<\/h2>\n

For much of the 19th century, parliament rose annually<\/a> on Derby day to allow honourable members to attend the race, and as recently as the 1970s the crowd was well into six figures. Recent years, though, have seen an alarming drop-off in spectators and this year\u2019s running of the world\u2019s most famous Classic will be the first to benefit from a five-year, \u00a36m investment to tempt the punters back. Big upgrades to the spectator experience are promised, but unlike most other major sporting events it will, as always, still be possible to turn up and watch for free.<\/p>\n

<\/svg><\/span>Lambourn races ahead to win the Derby under Wayne Lordan, his first win in the race at his ninth attempt.
<\/span> Photograph: Ian Headington\/racingfotos.com\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

16) Men\u2019s World Cup<\/strong> 11 June-19 July<\/h2>\n

The 23rd World Cup is the first to be hosted by three countries \u2013 the United States, Canada and Mexico \u2013 and contain 48 teams. It is a monster, and is already shrouded in fear and controversy given Donald Trump\u2019s hardline stance over immigration and the exorbitant price of tickets<\/a>. Once the football gets going there will, as ever, be much to enjoy, with Scotland\u2019s return to the global stage for the first time in 28 years an undeniable source of intrigue and excitement, especially given they are in the same group as Brazil. For England there is that aching desire of a nation to witness a first World Cup win since 1966, and first ever on foreign soil. No pressure, Thomas.<\/p>\n

<\/svg><\/span>Led by Lionel Messi, the defending champions Argentina have been drawn in a group alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan.<\/span> Photograph: Tom Jenkins\/The Guardian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

17) Women\u2019s T20 World Cup<\/strong> 12 June-5 July<\/h2>\n

The 10th edition of this tournament takes place in England and Wales and, for the first time, sees 12 teams take part. They will compete across 25 days of competition, culminating with a final at Lord\u2019s on 5 July. England will be desperately keen to be there and begin their campaign against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on the opening evening. Nat Sciver-Brunt\u2019s side will go into the World Cup having played T20 series\u2019 against New Zealand and India, so should be well prepared. The White Ferns are World Cup holders having triumphed in the UAE two years ago<\/a> and begin their campaign against West Indies at the Hampshire Bowl on 13 June.<\/p>\n

<\/svg><\/span>Sophia Dunkley will be part of an England side hoping to win a home World Cup.<\/span> Photograph: Matthew Childs\/Action Images\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

18) Royal Ascot<\/strong> 16 June-20 June<\/h2>\n

While some of racing\u2019s other showpiece events are struggling, Royal Ascot goes from strength to strength with all the effortless self-assurance of the Ascot Gavotte<\/a>. This year\u2019s prize money total will be a new record of \u00a310.65m with two \u00a31m contests and at least \u00a3120,000 in the purse for each and every one of the 35 races. With Francis-Henri Graffard, France\u2019s new champion trainer, leading a welcome French renaissance at the highest level, the racing is sure to be as competitive as ever, and tickets for the Windsor enclosure \u2013 no dress code and bring your own picnic and bubbly \u2013 start at \u00a330.<\/p>\n

19) Wimbledon<\/strong> 29 June-12 July<\/h2>\n

The tennis event of the summer remains a very British affair and the hope for domestic fans will be that a domestic player can win a singles titles for the first time since Andy Murray did so in 2016<\/a>. Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie, Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter are the standout hopes and will have to be at their very best to overcome the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner, Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. Sinner and Swiatek are the respective men\u2019s and women\u2019s singles champions. Elsewhere, Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool will be seeking to retain the men\u2019s doubles title after becoming the first all-British duo to do so for 89 years<\/a> in 2025.<\/p>\n

<\/svg><\/span>Jannik Sinner overcame Carlos Alcaraz 4\u20136, 6\u20134, 6\u20134, 6\u20134 to win his maiden Wimbledon title.<\/span> Photograph: Tom Jenkins\/The Guardian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

20) Tour de France & Tour de France Femmes<\/strong> 4 July-26 July, 1 August-9 August<\/h2>\n

The 113th edition of cycling\u2019s most prestigious event sees the Grand D\u00e9part shift to Barcelona, marking the 27th occasion it has taken place away from France and third occasion in Spain. The final stage will again be in Paris and for Tadej Pogacar the ambition is to win a third Tour title in succession and fifth overall. The fifth edition of the Tour de France Femmes, meanwhile, will take place in Switzerland as well as France with the route passing in three mountain ranges: the Jura, Massif central and Alps. Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot will be seeking to retain the title she won last year, when she became the first French rider to win the Tour de France Femmes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/svg><\/span>Riders during the 14th stage of the 2025 Tour de France in the scenic Pyrenees mountains of south-western France.<\/span> Photograph: undefined\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

21) England women v India women Test match<\/strong> 10 July-13 July<\/h2>\n

Lord\u2019s hosts a women\u2019s Test match for a very first time. India are the visitors for the four-day match, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of Rachael Heyhoe Flint first leading out an England women\u2019s team at the grand old venue. A special occasion, then, and the hope for the hosts is that it is a winning one, too. The omens are not great for Sciver-Brunt\u2019s team given India won the last Test match between the two teams<\/a> in December 2023 by 347 runs. England\u2019s last Test match at home also ended in defeat \u2013 against Australia at Trent Bridge, also in 2023<\/a>. England face India in three T20 matches before their Test match.<\/p>\n

22) The Open<\/strong> 16-19 July<\/h2>\n

Royal Birkdale welcomes the Open for a 10th occasion, in the process becoming the most regular venue of the event in its 154-year history, other than St Andrews. The hope for most concerned will be that this year\u2019s contest is more enthralling than last year\u2019s, when Scheffler cruised to a 17-under victory at Royal Portrush. As the Guardian\u2019s golf correspondent, Ewan Murray, put it in his final-day report: \u201cNever in doubt. Never remotely in doubt<\/a>\u201d. It is difficult to look past the American clinging on to the Claret Jug but there are threats in his way, including Fleetwood, for whom a first major on his home course would represent a truly glorious achievement.<\/p>\n

23) Commonwealth Games<\/strong> 23 July-2 August<\/h2>\n

The so-called \u201cfestival of energy, community and ambition\u201d returns to Glasgow for a third time and a first since 2014. In total, 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories will compete for medals across 10 sports, seven fewer than in 2014 as part of an attempt to make an increasingly antiquated event financially prudent. Indeed, Glasgow stepped in as hosts after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out of that role in July 2023 citing costs<\/a>. Athletics and para-athletics, swimming and para-swimming, track cycling and para-track cycling, netball, weightlifting and para-powerlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and para-bowls, and 3×3 basketball and 3×3 wheelchair basketball are the sports that made the cut.<\/p>\n

<\/svg><\/span>The 3×3 wheelchair basketball will make an appearance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.<\/span> Photograph: Luke Walker\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

24) Solheim Cup<\/strong> 11 September-13 September<\/h2>\n

Can Team Europe reclaim the ultimate team prize in women\u2019s golf? That will certainly be the burning ambition of Anna Nordqvist as she shifts from player to captain, taking over the role from Suzann Pettersen, whose reign ended in a 12\u00bd-15\u00bd defeat to the United States<\/a> in Virginia two years ago. Home advantage may well help \u2013 this year\u2019s tournament takes place at the Bernardus Golf course in the Netherlands. The US will be no pushovers, however, and also have a new captain, with Angela Stanford taking over from Stacy Lewis. As ever, 28 matches will be played across three days under three different types of matchplay \u2013 foursomes, fourballs and singles.<\/p>\n

<\/svg><\/span>Charley Hull will hope to win her fourth Solheim Cup with Team Europe.<\/span> Photograph: Matt York\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

25)<\/strong> Super League Grand Final<\/strong> 3 October<\/h2>\n

Super League\u2019s showpiece occasion will come at the end of a notable season given it is one that again involves 14 teams, with York Knights and Toulouse Olympique earning places in an expanded division<\/a>. Super League\u2019s 30th anniversary also falls in round six, which will be marked by the playing of two foundation fixtures: Castleford facing Bradford on 26 March and Leeds coming up against Warrington on 29 March. All roads, as ever, lead to Old Trafford and the ambition of Hull KR will be to return to the venue where they hammered Wigan 24-6 to clinch last season\u2019s treble<\/a>. Few would bet against Willie Peters\u2019 men doing just that.<\/p>\n

<\/svg><\/span>Tyrone May is tackled by Brad O\u2019Neill and Liam Byrne during the 2025 Super League Grand Final.<\/span> Photograph: Martin Rickett\/PA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

26)<\/strong> Rugby League World Cup<\/strong> 15 October-15 November<\/h2>\n

Australia and Papua New Guinea host the men\u2019s, women\u2019s and wheelchair World Cups across the space of a month. In the men\u2019s event it is very much a case of stop Australia. The co-hosts have won the last three World Cups and more of the same is expected of the Kangaroos, while for England, battered and bruised by their 3-0 Ashes whitewash<\/a>, the first task is to get out of a group that also contains Samoa and Lebanon. The men\u2019s and women\u2019s final will be held at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on 15 November, while the wheelchair final takes place at the Wollongong\u2019s WIN Entertainment Centre two days earlier.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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1) Australian Open 12 January-1 February Jannik Sinner will be aiming to become only the second man in the Open era, after Novak Djokovic, to win three consecutive Australian Open singles titles, while in the women\u2019s draw Madison Keys will be seeking to defend the title she landed via a shock victory over Aryna Sabalenka […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":220999,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6802],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-220998","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-athetics"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/220998","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=220998"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/220998\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/220999"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=220998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=220998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=220998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}