British sports enthusiasts are set for a blockbuster year in 2026, with a dazzling array of global events spanning football, cricket, rugby, tennis, and more. The calendar is headlined by the expanded FIFA World Cup in North America, where England manager Thomas Tuchel will aim to deliver on his promise to add another star to the national team's crest.
A Winter and Summer of Global Spectacles
The sporting year kicks off with a flurry of action. Team GB will chase medals at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina from February 6-22, followed swiftly by the Winter Paralympics. The early months also feature snooker's Masters at Alexandra Palace, the ever-popular Six Nations rugby tournament, and the Australian Open launching the Grand Slam tennis season.
Come summer, the focus shifts to Glasgow as the city hosts the Commonwealth Games from July 23 to August 2. However, the undisputed centrepiece of the year will be the FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. All eyes will be on Tuchel's England squad as they navigate the new 48-team format in pursuit of football's ultimate prize.
Cricket, Rugby and a Full Domestic Schedule
England's cricket teams face a relentless itinerary. The men's and women's sides will both contest T20 World Cups, with the men's event in India and Sri Lanka (Feb 7-Mar 8) and the women's tournament on home soil (Jun 12-Jul 5). Test series against India and Pakistan also feature prominently.
Rugby league fans can anticipate the Men's and Women's World Cups in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea from October 15 to November 15. Meanwhile, the domestic football season will follow its familiar rhythm, culminating in the Champions League final in Budapest on May 30 and the Premier League's opening weekend on August 22.
Major Events Across Every Sport
The 2026 diary is packed with iconic occasions. Tennis fans can mark the four Grand Slams, with Wimbledon running from June 29 to July 12. Golf's majors include The Open at Royal Birkdale (July 16-19). In Formula 1, Lando Norris will defend his world title across a 24-race season starting in Australia on March 8.
Other key dates for the diary include:
- The London Marathon on April 26.
- The Cheltenham Festival from March 10-13 and the Grand National on April 11.
- The Six Nations rugby from February 5 to March 14.
- The Snooker World Championship at The Crucible from April 18 to May 4.
With such a rich and diverse schedule, 2026 promises to be a memorable year for sports fans across the United Kingdom, offering non-stop action from the slopes of Italy to the pitches of North America and the tracks, courts, and greens in between.
