The year 2026 will be one of the most historic years in sports history. From a massive expansion of the World Cup to a groundbreaking Winter Olympics in Italy, sports fans across the English-speaking world have plenty to clear their calendars for. Whether you're planning a trip to the San Francisco Bay Area for the Super Bowl or gearing up for a summer of soccer across North America, here is the essential guide to the biggest events of 2026.
1. The NFL Spectacular: Super Bowl LX
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Date: February 8, 2026
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Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California (San Francisco Bay Area)
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The Vibe: American Football's biggest night returns to the Bay. Expect high-octane entertainment with Bad Bunny recently confirmed for the Apple Music Halftime Show and Charlie Puth performing the National Anthem.
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Official Resource: NFL.com - Super Bowl Official Site
2. The 2026 Winter Olympics: Milano Cortina
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Dates: February 6 – 22, 2026
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Location: Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
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Why it’s Unique: This edition marks the return of the NHL stars to the Olympic ice for the first time in 12 years. It also features a "multi-venue" format, with the Opening Ceremony at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan and the Closing Ceremony at the historic Verona Arena.
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New Events: Look out for the Olympic debut of Ski Mountaineering (Skimo) and women's individual large hill in ski jumping.
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Official Resource: Milano Cortina 2026 Official Site
3. The Expanded FIFA World Cup 26™
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Dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026
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Location: USA, Canada, and Mexico (16 Host Cities)
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The Stats: This is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams (up from 32) and the first to be co-hosted by three nations.
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Key Matches: The tournament kicks off at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The Final will be held on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey).
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Official Resource: FIFA World Cup 2026 Portal
4. Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
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Dates: July 23 – August 2, 2026
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Location: Glasgow, Scotland
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Context: After a period of uncertainty, Glasgow stepped in to host a "rescaled and sustainable" edition of the Games. It will feature 10 sports across four venues within an eight-mile corridor, making it one of the most compact and accessible multi-sport events in years.
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Official Resource: Glasgow 2026 Official Site
2026 Major Sports Calendar Highlights
| Month | Event | Sport | Location |
| January | Australian Open | Tennis | Melbourne, Australia |
| February | Super Bowl LX | American Football | Santa Clara, USA |
| February | Winter Olympics | Multi-sport | Milan, Italy |
| March | World Baseball Classic | Baseball | USA, Japan, Puerto Rico |
| April | The Masters | Golf | Augusta, USA |
| May | FA Cup Final | Soccer | London, UK |
| June/July | FIFA World Cup | Soccer | North America |
| June/July | Wimbledon | Tennis | London, UK |
| July | Tour de France | Cycling | France & Spain |
| August | US Open | Tennis | New York, USA |
| October | Rugby League World Cup | Rugby League | Australia & PNG |
The "Wildcard" to Watch: Yaqeen™ Sports
At gwire.news, we are following the data. From the economic impact of the 48-team World Cup to the ethics of the sustainable Commonwealth Games, we provide "Clarity for the Connected Generation." Keep an eye on our 2026 Sports Vertical for exclusive investigative reports on sponsorship transparency and athlete welfare.
Reputable Sources for Tickets & Travel
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Official Olympics Tickets: Milano Cortina 2026 Ticket Portal
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Official FIFA Tickets: FIFA.com/tickets (Sign up for 2026 alerts)
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Official NFL Hospitality: On Location Exp
