2026 is set to be one of the most exciting years on the international sporting calendar: the Winter Olympics, the FIFA World Cup, tennis Grand Slams, cricket tournaments, the FIBA World Cup and many other major events are all on the programme. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, you’ll find all the key sporting events here, complete with dates, venues and brief details – ideal for planning your trips.
January 2026 – A year-start packed with classics
January kicks off with classic winter sports and tennis events around the globe: from Australia to Central Europe. For athletes and fans, this means planning and booking scheduled flights in good time or securing flexible flight options.
- 12 January–1 February 2026: Australian Open – Melbourne, Australia (Grand Slam tennis)
- 15 January–1 February 2026: Men’s European Handball Championship – Denmark, Norway, Sweden
- 28 December 2025–6 January 2026: Four Hills Tournament – Germany/Austria (Ski Jumping)
- January 2026: Biathlon World Cup stages – Oberhof & Ruhpolding (part of the winter sports season)
Early flight planning is particularly worthwhile when sporting events are taking place simultaneously. Whether you wish to combine multiple destinations or enjoy maximum flexibility by chartering private jets.
February 2026 – Winter Olympics & Super Bowl
- 6–22 February 2026: 2026 Winter Olympics – Milan & Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
- Kicking off with a spectacular opening ceremony on 6 February; closing ceremony on 22 February.
- 8 February 2026: Super Bowl LX – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara (USA)
March 2026 – Football Festival in Qatar
March sees the spotlight on international football events, particularly in the Middle East, where teams are preparing for upcoming tournaments.
- 26–31 March 2026: Qatar Football Festival – Doha, Qatar (international football matches in preparation for the World Cup)
- Highlight: 27 March 2026: Finalissima: Spain vs. Argentina at Lusail Stadium.
International flights can be ideally combined with bespoke branding options: perfect for teams, sponsors and discerning fans.
March–April 2026 – Motorsport, Formula 1 & Racing
Motorsport events bring a global buzz to the calendar this spring with races in Asia, the Middle East and Australia.
Choice of Formula 1 races for 2026 based on current plans:
- 8 March 2026: Australian Grand Prix – Melbourne
- 15 March 2026: Chinese Grand Prix – Shanghai
- 29 March 2026: Japanese Grand Prix – Suzuka
- 12 April 2026: Bahrain Grand Prix – Sakhir
- 19 April 2026: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah
Further races will follow over the year.
The global distribution of the racetracks allows for flexible travel itineraries. PASflights supports you as an experienced flight partner.
May 2026 – Tennis & Football Finals
May sees the culmination of many European sporting events with international football finals and top-class tennis.
- 15–31 May 2026: IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship – Zurich & Fribourg, Switzerland
- The world’s top national teams compete across 16 days of elite ice hockey action in two host cities, culminating in the gold medal game on 31 May 2026. As one of the most prestigious annual sporting events in international ice hockey, the tournament attracts fans from across Europe and beyond, making Switzerland a major travel hotspot during May.
- 20 May 2026: European League Final – Istanbul (Beşiktaş Park)
- 23 May 2026: DFB-Pokal Final – Berlin
- 23 May 2026: Women’s Champions League Final – Venue TBD
Especially for finals in major cities such as Berlin or Istanbul, travellers benefit from flights booked well in advance and optional VIP services for a stress-free journey.
June–July 2026 – World Cup & Cricket Highlights
The summer of 2026 will be the global hub for sporting events, especially with the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America and international cricket tournaments in Europe.
2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup
The 2026 World Cup is one of the world’s biggest sporting events and, for the first time, will span three countries with numerous host cities.
- 11 June–19 July 2026: FIFA World Cup – USA, Canada & Mexico
- Opening ceremony on 11 June in Mexico City.
- Final on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
For athletes and fans, this means flexible flight options between cities such as New York, Toronto or Mexico City. Easily arranged with private jets or coordinated group flights.
| Note: You can find all matches, dates and tickets on the official FIFA website. |
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
Running alongside the World Cup, the Women’s T20 World Cup offers another international highlight among sporting events – with venues in England and Wales.
- 12 June–5 July 2026: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup – England & Wales
- 5 July 2026: Final at the legendary Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Flights to these sporting events can be ideally combined with European itineraries. Complemented by services such as bespoke catering and convenient flight planning for teams and fans.
August 2026 – Field hockey & more
In August, the spotlight turns to further international sporting events in Europe, including major field hockey tournaments.
- 15–30 August 2026: Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup – Wavre (Belgium) & Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Thanks to short distances within Europe, these sporting events are easy to reach – make use of our 24/7 support for optimal travel comfort.
September 2026 – Basketball & Athletics
Late summer brings top-class sporting events to Europe, particularly in the fields of basketball and athletics.
- 4–13 September 2026: FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup – Berlin, Germany
- Provisionally 11–13 September 2026: World Athletics Ultimate Championship – Budapest, Hungary
For cities such as Berlin or Budapest, we offer perfectly tailored flight solutions from standard connections to exclusive full-charter flights for larger groups.
Autumn 2026 – NFL, Rugby & other sporting events
Further examples from the international sporting calendar for the rest of the year (some dates are still to be confirmed closer to the event):
- Rugby events
- National athletics meetings
- Further Formula 1 races
- Regional Championships
| Note: Missing details will be added as soon as they are confirmed. All dates and venues for the 2026 sporting events listed are based on current plans and are subject to change at short notice. Therefore, please always check the organisers’ official websites before booking your flights to ensure you have the latest information. |
Tips for planning sports events in 2026
✔ Book early: Flights to major tournaments (World Cups, the Olympics, tennis Grand Slams) sell out particularly quickly.
✔ Choose your destinations wisely: Major events take place across several cities and countries.
Experience 2026 sporting events worldwide
With the 2026 sporting highlights, you can plan an entire year full of excitement: from the Winter Games to the Football World Cup and cricket, right through to the Basketball World Cup and motorsport. Secure flights for your favourite 2026 sporting events with PASflights.com!
FAQ – international sporting events 2026
Among the most important sporting events in 2026 are the FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, and international tournaments in cities such as Melbourne, London and Berlin. These sporting events are spread across the globe and require careful travel planning.
Flights to international sporting events should be booked well in advance, particularly for popular cities such as New York, Los Angeles or Milan. Prices and occupancy rates rise rapidly during global sporting events, which is why early planning is crucial.
The most important cities for sporting events in 2026 include Mexico City, Toronto, New York, Milan, London and Melbourne. These international cities are venues for major sporting events with high demand.
Multiple sporting events can be efficiently linked through coordinated flight routes between venues such as Europe, North America and Australia. Flexible connections and good timing are crucial for international sporting events.
Flexible flight options enable direct connections between venues, such as between World Cup host cities in North America or European sporting events. This helps to reduce travel times and ensures best access to sporting events worldwide.