The year 2026 is set to be a landmark chapter in sports history, offering a non-stop parade of global spectacles. From the return of the FIFA World Cup to a double-header of multi-sport games in Asia and Europe, fans are in for an unforgettable ride.
Cricket:
Cricket fans will have their eyes stuck to the screen as the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup returns to Asia from February 7 to March 8, 2026. Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the tournament will feature 20 teams competing in 55 matches. India enters as the defending champion, while Italy makes a historic debut.
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Following this, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup moves to England from June 12 to July 5, expanded to 12 teams for the first time.
Early in the year, the next generation of stars will also battle it out at the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia (Jan 15 – Feb 6). On the franchise front, the 19th edition of the IPL is locked in for March 26 to May 31, perfectly positioned after the Men’s World Cup.
Football:
The crown jewel of the year is the 2026 FIFA World Cup, running from June 11 to July 19. For the first time, three nations—the USA, Mexico, and Canada—will co-host the event. The tournament is also expanding to a massive 48-team format.
Defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, find themselves in Group J, while debutants like Jordan look to make their mark on the world stage.
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Olympics & Beyond:
The winter season kicks off with the 25th Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy (Feb 6–22), introducing ski mountaineering to the program. This will be followed by the Winter Paralympics in March.
In late summer, the 23rd Commonwealth Games returns to Glasgow (July 23 – Aug 2) for a compact, high-energy event. The year concludes its major multi-sport run with the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, returning the event to its traditional four-year cycle.
Tennis & More:
The Tennis Grand Slam calendar remains as prestigious as ever, starting with the Australian Open on January 12. Additionally, India will take center stage in the racquet world as New Delhi hosts the BWF Badminton World Championships later in the summer.