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Every major sporting event to plan your travels around in 2026
From the Winter Olympics in Italy to the FIFA World Cup, here's how to plan your trips around the major sporting events of 2026.
From the first-ever tri-country World Cup to a unique Winter Olympics that journeys through the Italian Alps, 2026 is set to be a once-in-a-decade year for sports-led travel.
Yet, while international sports events create vibrant energy and bustling city atmospheres, they also trigger price hikes and sold-out hotels. The most stress-free way to navigate major sporting events in 2026 is to plan ahead and book in advance.
To help you do so, we’ve compiled this 2026 major sporting events calendar to help you plan your travels around the year’s most unmissable fixtures and tournaments!
January 2026
Australian Open (Melbourne, Australia): January 12 – February 1
The Australian Open is one of the biggest tennis tournaments of the year, and the first of four major tennis tournaments, alongside the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Taking place during Australia’s summer, the Australian Open draws in both tennis fans and anyone looking to escape the Northern Hemisphere’s freezing winter.
Melbourne is repeatedly voted the best Australian city, and the Australian Open is widely regarded as the best tennis grand slam to attend for first-timers. Whether you’re watching at Melbourne Park or on huge public screens in Fed Square, the beach-city energy is electric and contagious.
If you’re traveling to Melbourne for the 2026 Australian Open, stay connected with a Holalfy eSIM for Australia.
February 2026
Super Bowl LX (Santa Clara, USA): February 8
The Super Bowl is one of the largest sporting events of the year in the US. It’s the national championship game in the National Football League, where the two best teams in the league go head-to-head to decide the winner.
Because there are many ways to experience the Super Bowl in Santa Clara without tickets, the weekend will see massive hotel demand as both US and international tourists flock to the city.
If you’re traveling to Santa Clara for the 2026 Super Bowl, stay connected with a Holalfy eSIM for the USA.
Winter Olympics (Northern Italy): February 6 – 22
Italy’s Winter Olympics will be unlike any that have come before. Rather than containing the Games in one city, Italy has created a multi-region Olympic setup, including the charming alpine town of Cortina and the vibrant, fashion-forward city of Milan.
The 17-day sporting event will allow spectators to explore Northern Italy’s diverse landscapes, food, and culture, traveling between venues like locals on the country’s regional train network.
If you’re traveling to Italy for the 2026 Winter Olympics, stay connected with a Holalfy eSIM for Italy.
March 2026
Six Nations Championship (UK, Ireland, France, Italy): Early Feb – Mid March
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby competition that sees national teams from England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France, and Italy compete for the Six Nations Cup.
Between February 5 and March 14, the Six Nations Championship’s matches will be spread across various European cities. These include London, Cardiff, and Edinburgh (UK), Lille (France), Dublin (Ireland), and Rome (Italy).
This multi-country setup offers rugby fans the unique chance to city-hop, exploring top European destinations while watching their favorite sport in world-famous stadiums.
If you’re attending the 2026 Six Nations Championship, stay connected with a Holalfy eSIM for Europe.
April 2026
Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix (Sakhir, Bahrain): April 10 -12
Set in the desert area of Sakhir, the Bahrain Grand Prix offers Formula 1 fans a unique, luxury-focused travel experience with warm climates and desert adventures.
Plus, the Bahrain GP is more affordable than people expect, as tickets are among the cheapest in the world and accommodation is significantly cheaper than in other parts of the UAE, like Abu Dhabi.
If you’re heading to Bahrain for the Grand Prix, stay connected with a Holalfy eSIM for Bahrain.
The Masters Tournament (Augusta, USA): April 9 – 12
With just one location and one weekend, The Masters Tournament is always a high-demand golf pilgrimage. Each year, the event puts Augusta, Georgia, on the map, with the city’s limited accommodations filling up fast, creating long booking windows.
Boston Marathon (Boston, USA): April 20
As the oldest annual marathon in the world, the Boston Marathon becomes a city-wide event each year, as 30,000 participants flock to the city to run and compete. However, airlines and hotels raise prices for the event, so booking early is key.
June 2026
Monaco Grand Prix (Monte Carlo, Monaco): June 4 – 7
The Monaco Grand Prix is a regular fixture on the Formula 1 calendar, and one of the most expensive weekends on the European travel calendar, attracting celebrities and the ultra-wealthy.
In fact, some fans go to Monaco GP for everything but racing. Throughout June, this luxurious Monaco district oozes glamour and high-energy with superyacht parties and celebrity sightings.
If you’re jetting off to Monaco for the Grand Prix, stay connected with a Holalfy eSIM for Monaco.
FIFA World Cup (USA, Canada, Mexico): June 11 to July 19
The FIFA World Cup is one of the most major sporting events in 2026, as it is the first-ever tri-country World Cup.
With games in 16 cities in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is not just about football. For many, it’s a month-long backpacking trip with cross-border itineraries full of adventure, sightseeing, and unforgettable stadium vibes.
NBA Finals (USA, cities vary): June 3 – 19
Unlike other sports finals, the NBA Finals are not held at predetermined locations. Instead, they take place at the home arenas of the qualifying teams, making this sporting event full of surprises in more ways than one.
Playoff outcomes are usually decided in late May, and the travel impact (such as flights and accommodation availability) will depend on the finalist cities.
July 2026
Tour de France (France & Spain): July 4 to 26
The 2026 Tour de France will be a cross-country road cycling event starting in Barcelona, Spain, and ending in Paris, France. This allows travelers to choose a viewing spot and combine it with a city break or a mountain vacation. Some fans also choose to follow the stages, exploring multiple regions by car, campervan, train, or even bike.
Wimbledon Championships (London, UK): June 29 to July 12
The Wimbledon Championships is UK’s biggest tennis event of the year, which corresponds with peak summer demand in London. During this time, the capital city is packed with sports fans and tourists enjoying the rare sunshine (or the more common summer showers). Hotels close to Wimbledon fill up fast, so book early if you want to stay close to the tennis action.
If you’re visiting London for the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, stay connected with a Holalfy eSIM for the UK.
August 2026
US Open (New York City, USA): August 23 – September 13
The US Open is the only one of four major tennis events to take place in the US. The 3-week-long tornament sees a late-summer travel surge in New York, with tennis fans and travel enthusiasts seeking a sports-themed city break. And thanks to the central Queens location, the US Open makes it easy for spectators to balance sightseeing with matches.
September 2026
La Vuelta a España (Spain, multiple cities): August 22 – September 13
Spain’s La Vuelta a España is a 3-week-long multi-stage road cycling race that journeys from Monaco to Granada. The late summer event passes through many of Spain’s regional destinations, allowing travelers to go beyond the major tourist cities.
If you’re traveling through Spain for the 2026 La Vuelta a España, stay connected with a Holalfy eSIM for Spain.
October 2026
MLB World Series (USA, cities vary): October 23 – 31
Major League Baseball’s championship series kicks off on October 23. However, the exact US locations will depend on the finalists, making for another short-notice sports trip, like the NBA Finals.
Singapore Grand Prix (Singapore): October 9 – 11
Singapore’s Grand Prix is known as one of the most exciting F1 events, due to its night racing schedule and incredible city skyline. On F1 weekend, the city comes alive with a festival-like atmosphere, and its safe, central, and walkable location makes it one of the best F1 Grand Prixs to attend for first timers.
If you’re visiting Singapore for the Grand Prix, stay connected with a Holalfy eSIM for Singapore.
November 2026
ATP Finals (Turin, Italy): November 15 – 22
The ATP Finals is one of the most prestigious tennis events of the year, bringing the top 8 men’s players in the world together for an intimate season-ending showdown. During the week-long event, a Fan Village is erected near the arena, creating a lively, festival atmosphere in one of Italy’s most elegant cities.
NFL Thanksgiving Games (USA): November 26
Each year, the NFL schedules at least three Thanksgiving games, typically in Detroit, Dallas, and one more US city. As it’s a public holiday and a peak travel period, there are already domestic travel spikes, so it’s best to book hotels and flights right after the official schedule is released.
December 2026
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Abu Dhabi, UAE): December 3 – 6
Abu Dhabi is hosting F1’s Season finale this year, and it will be a huge spectacle, bringing together sports fans from all over the world. Alongside all the thrilling racing, there’s an epic post-race concert, fireworks, and tons of themed experiences happening throughout the UAE capital city.
If you’re flying to Abu Dhabi for the F1 Season finale, stay connected with a Holalfy eSIM for Abu Dhabi.
Travel Tips For 2026’s Biggest Sports Events
Whichever of these major sporting events of 2026 you choose to attend, booking flights and accommodation early is key. Prices spike around event weeks, and hotels can sell out months in advance.
Another smart move? Plan your connectivity ahead of time.
With a Holafly eSIM, you’ll get instant, unlimited data the moment you arrive, with flexible plans for both nationwide and regional coverage.
Explore the Holafly eSIM store here!
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Hey, I’m Mika! I’m an SEO specialist with 7+ years of experience and a passion for travel info that actually helps you explore smarter. I write travel guides and tips backed by SEO insights so you can spend less time searching and more time adventuring.
