We’re calling it: 2026 is the yr of sports activities tourism. Whether or not you are a brand new F1 watcher hoping to attend your first race or a devoted soccer fan gearing up for the World Cup, there’s by no means been a greater time to plan a sports-centric trip. “2026 is shaping as much as be a landmark yr for sports activities tourism, pushed by main world occasions and evolving journey developments,” Expedia journey knowledgeable Melanie Fish shared with Journey + Leisure.

Whereas the Olympics and World Cup are definitely high tickets in 2026, the sports activities tourism development has been gaining traction for some time, with Expedia discovering that “57 % of vacationers say they’re prone to attend an area sporting occasion whereas touring,” with even greater curiosity amongst Gen Z and Millennials, in keeping with Fish. “People are keen to journey lengthy distances if it means they will expertise bucket-list sporting moments. Lodging searches for Milan, Belluno Province, and Sondrio Province skyrocketed by over 400 % for this yr’s winter video games,” Fish continued.

Want a little bit assist narrowing down the highest sporting occasions value touring for in 2026? We have chosen over 15 of the most well liked tickets for this yr. F1 is about to have an particularly thrilling season as automobile modifications come into impact, a brand new race observe is added, and the Cadillac workforce debuts with two beloved drivers. Collegiate sports activities give alums one thing to cheer for, notably as extra followers tune into the ladies’s Ultimate 4 basketball match. And naturally, annual occasions like Wimbledon, The Masters, and extra have earned their spot on many vacationers’ calendars, and this listing is only the start. Extra main sporting occasions—from the Stanley Cup Playoffs to the NFL’s worldwide video games—haven’t but introduced their 2026 dates.

January 

The Australian Open

Jan. 12—Feb. 1, 2026

Named one among T+L’s greatest locations to journey in 2026, thanks partly to its packed lineup of sporting occasions, Melbourne will host the Australian Open early this yr. It is the primary Grand Slam tennis occasion of 2026 and the proper excuse to depart the chilly U.S. for the nice and cozy Aussie summer season.

Faculty Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship

Jan. 19, 2026

Happening on the Exhausting Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, the Faculty Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship places all eyes on the nation’s high two school soccer groups—a should for devoted alums and followers of the game.

February 

Olympic Winter Video games Milano Cortina 2026

Feb. 6–22, 2026

The Winter Olympic Video games will take over Northern Italy this February, with occasion venues in Milan, Verona, Livigno, Bormio, Tesero, Predazzo, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and Anterselva/Antholz. On Location is the official hospitality supplier for the video games, with packages nonetheless obtainable to e-book.

Tremendous Bowl 

Feb. 8, 2026

Whereas we nonetheless do not know which groups will make it to the massive sport, it is certain to be an thrilling time at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, thanks partly to Dangerous Bunny’s extremely anticipated halftime efficiency.

March

Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Video games

March 6–15, 2026

After the tip of the 2026 Winter Olympic Video games, the Paralympic Video games kick off in Verona, with further venues in Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and Tesero.

April 

NCAA Ultimate 4

Males’s: April 3-6, 2026

Girls’s: April 2-5, 2026

Prepare for essentially the most thrilling school basketball occasion of the yr. The lads’s championship will happen at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and the ladies’s championship will happen at Phoenix’s Mortgage Matchup Middle this April. 

The Masters Match

 April 9—April 12, 2026

Set on the well-known azalea-lined Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership in Georgia, The Masters is arguably golf’s most iconic annual occasion. While you’re not watching the game’s greatest at play, getting the occasion’s equally well-known pimento cheese sandwiches and azalea cocktail is a should.

Could 

The Kentucky Derby 

Could 2, 2026

Dubbed the “best two minutes in sports activities,” the Kentucky Derby will mark its 152nd race this Could at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. After all, it is simply as a lot concerning the off-track motion, fabulous vogue and mint juleps included.

June

FIFA World Cup 2026

June 11–July 19, 2026

Soccer’s largest occasion is coming to North America this summer season, with video games in Mexico, Canada, and 11 cities throughout the US, together with Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, and extra. Official hospitality packages are at the moment obtainable to e-book by means of On Location, and the ticket lottery is open by means of Jan. 13. “Now that matches are confirmed, vacationers are gearing as much as e-book. For followers looking for financial savings, inexpensive host cities embody Mexico Metropolis, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Houston, and Miami,” Fish shared with T+L.

System 1 Louis Vuitton Grand Prix de Monaco 2026

June 4-7, 2026

Attending the esteemed Monaco Grand Prix is on the high of many F1 followers’ want lists, with the historic observe twisting by means of the picturesque city on the French Riviera. Louis Vuitton debuts because the occasion’s new title companion this yr, too.

U.S. Open

June 18-21, 2026

The 2026 U.S. Open golf championship will happen in Southampton, New York, at Shinnecock Hills Golf Membership, about two hours exterior Manhattan. Summer season golf within the Hamptons? Do not thoughts if we do.

Wimbledon

 June 29—July 13, 2026

Seize your most interesting tennis whites and prepare for essentially the most prestigious tennis match on this planet, held in Wimbledon in southwest London. The match is thought for drawing royalty and celebrities alike; don’t miss the long-lasting strawberries and cream.

July

The British Grand Prix 

July 4-6, 2026

Talking of English summer season sports activities getaways, the British Grand Prix will likely be held at Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire this July. That is the house race for seven groups and 5 drivers, making it an particularly thrilling occasion on this yr’s lineup.

August 

U.S. Open

Aug 30—Sep 13, 2026

The U.S. Open ushers within the ultimate days of summer season in New York Metropolis as one of the best tennis gamers head to Queens to play on the USTA Billie Jean King Nationwide Tennis Middle. And should you do not snap a pic of your Honey Deuce cocktail, completely garnished by inexperienced balls of honeydew, did you even go to the Open?

September 

System 1 Tag Heuer Spanish Grand Prix 2026 

Sept. 11-13, 2026

Be part of historical past when a brand new observe debuts throughout the 2026 System 1 season. F1 is coming again to Madrid after almost 40 years, with a brand new hybrid road circuit referred to as the Madring. It should already be an thrilling F1 season due to automobile modifications and the brand new Cadillac workforce, and a brand new observe is the proper place to take all of it in.

October 

World Collection 

Late October

Baseball season would not formally begin till March, however we’re already excited for the 2026 World Collection, occurring in late October, with extra particulars to come back later this yr.

November 

System 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix

Nov. 19-21, 2026

If you happen to’re searching for an over-the-top F1 social gathering this fall, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is able to welcome you. Sin Metropolis goes all-out for race weekend, with workforce and driver-themed activations on the on line casino motels all alongside the Strip and luxe ticket packages. With a lot occurring and a few motels inside strolling distance of the viewing areas, it is a nice first F1 race for followers simply stepping into the game.