23 unmissable sporting matches to see live in 2026 – and how to get tickets now

Nothing out there compares to the thrill and atmosphere of live sport.

Everyone enjoys watching sports sometimes, whether it’s cheering for a favorite local team or following Team GB during major events. We all look forward to seeing athletes compete on the field, pitch, or court.

Make 2026 the year you really experience something amazing by attending a major event! From international athletic competitions and exciting football matches to thrilling horse races, there’s a wide variety of options to choose from.

Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular events taking place in London and throughout the UK. Keep in mind that tickets aren’t available for everything just yet, so we’ll continue to add to this list as more information becomes available throughout the year.

On your marks, get set…

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Major sporting events in London 2026
Major UK sporting events to see in 2026

Best major UK sporting events at a glance

Magnificent 7 Boxing: Itauma vs Franklin | 24th Jan
Premier League Darts | 2nd Feb – 21st May
Six Nations: Scotland vs England | 14th Feb
Cycling National Tracks Championships | 19th-22nd Feb
Carabao Cup Final | 22nd Mar
Big Day Out rugby: Bristol Bears vs Harlequins | 28th Mar
WSL: Arsenal vs Tottenham | 29th Mar
The Grand National 2026 | 9th – 11th Apr
Lionesses vs Spain: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | 14th Apr
Queen’s Club Tennis Championships | 8th – 21st Jun
ICC Women’s T20 Cricked World Cup | 12th Jun – 5th Jul
Royal Ascot 2026 | 16th – 20th Jun
Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final | 20th Jun
Wimbledon Championships 2026 | 29th Jun – 12th Jul
British Grand Prix 2026 | 3rd – 5th Jul
Goodwood Festival of Speed | 9th – 12th Jul
London Athletics Meet | 18th Jul
Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games | 23rd Jul – 2nd Aug
England’s Strongest Man & Britain’s Strongest Woman | 25th – 26th Jul
European Athletics Championships | 10th – 16th Aug
Test Cricket: England vs Pakistan | 19th Aug – 13th Sep
Rugby League Magic Weekend | 4th – 5th Sep
Union Jack Classic | 19th Sep

Major sporting events in London 2026

Carabao Cup Final

When is it? 22nd March 2026
Where is it? Wembley Stadium

Last year’s Carabao Cup Final was a historic win for Newcastle United, marking their first major trophy in over 50 years. The match offers a fantastic football experience – the excitement of a final at Wembley Stadium, but at a more affordable price for fans of all levels.

WSL: Arsenal Women vs Tottenham Hotspur Women

When is it? 29th March 2026
Where is it? Emirates Stadium

The Arsenal versus Tottenham match is always a big event in both the Premier League and the Women’s Super League. The Arsenal Women’s team plays their games at the Emirates Stadium, and they always sell out – make sure you don’t miss the chance to experience it!

Queen’s Club Tennis Championships

When is it? 8th – 21st Jun 2026
Where is it? Queen’s Club

Queen’s Club is a popular and more affordable tennis tournament that often features many of the same top players as Wimbledon. Last year’s winners were Carlos Alcaraz, a two-time Wimbledon champion, and Tatjana Maria.

Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final

When is it? 20th Jun 2026
Where is it? Allianz Stadium

The Gallagher Premiership Final is a fantastic event for any rugby fan, held at Allianz Park (Twickenham Stadium). Last year, Bath defeated Leicester Tigers to become champions.

Wimbledon Championships 2026

When is it? 29th Jun – 12th Jul 2026
Where is it? Wimbledon Tennis Club

I was so excited to try for Wimbledon tickets in the ballot, but it’s now closed! Don’t worry though, there are still options for 2026. You can brave the famous queue – it’s a bit of a challenge, but everyone says it’s a brilliant experience – or, if you’re looking for something a little more comfortable, you could go for hospitality tickets. They’re selling quickly, so you’d need to be fast!

London Athletics Meet

When is it? 18th Jul 2026
Where is it? London Stadium

As a track and field fan, let me tell you, the Novuna London Athletics Meet is the event of the year. It’s held at the incredible London Stadium, and honestly, it’s been a complete sell-out for three years straight. And you know what? Each year the competition just gets better and better – it’s easy to see why everyone wants a ticket.

Union Jack Classic

When is it? 18th Jul 2026
Where is it? Wembley Stadium

This summer, American college football will be played in the UK for the very first time at the Union Jack Classic. The game will feature Kansas and Arizona State competing at Wembley Stadium, hoping to attract a new audience of fans across the Atlantic.

Best major UK sporting events to see in 2026

Magnificent 7 Boxing: Itauma vs Franklin

When is it? 24th Jan 2026
Where is it? Co-op Live, Manchester

To celebrate 45 years in boxing, promoter Frank Warren is returning his popular Magnificent 7 series to Manchester. The event, taking place at the Co-op Live Arena in January, will feature a main event heavyweight fight between Moses Itauma and Jermain Franklin, and tickets are still available.

Premier League Darts

When is it? 2nd Feb – 21st May
Where is it? Various locations

Luke Littler is a huge name in sports right now, so don’t miss the Premier League Darts! The competition is happening over three months and will visit cities like Aberdeen, Brighton, and Manchester.

Six Nations: Scotland vs England

When is it? 14th Feb 2026
Where is it? Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium

The Men’s and Women’s Six Nations tournaments are always exciting events in the rugby world, offering 15 matches to enjoy. We’re focusing on the historic Scotland versus England match, known as the Calcutta Cup – it’s the oldest trophy in rugby! This game is famous for its unexpected twists, particularly after the 2025 match where England won the cup after a four-year gap.

Cycling National Tracks Championships

When is it? 19th – 22nd Feb 2026
Where is it? National Cycling Centre, Manchester

The National Cycling Centre will once again host Britain’s top cyclists as they compete for the prestigious national champion’s jerseys. This year’s event includes an extra session on February 19th, featuring exciting races like the Men’s Paracycling Scratch final.

Big Day Out rugby: Bristol Bears vs Harlequins

When is it? 28th Mar 2026
Where is it? Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Bristol Bears will play one of their home games at Principality Stadium in Wales for the second year in a row. They’ll be competing against Harlequins, a matchup they also had in the 2025 Big Game.

The Grand National 2026

When is it? 9th – 11th Apr 2026
Where is it? Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool

Tickets for the Grand National are available now! The famous horse race is coming back to Aintree Racecourse.

ICC Women’s T20 Cricked World Cup

When is it? 12th Jun – 5th Jul 2026
Where is it? Various locations

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be held in England and Wales, featuring twelve of the best women’s cricket teams competing for the championship. New Zealand are the current titleholders and will be aiming to win again.

Royal Ascot 2026

When is it? 16th – 20th Jun 2026
Where is it? Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire

As a total film buff, I always think of Royal Ascot as a fascinating spectacle – it’s less about the horses, honestly, and more about the incredible people-watching! Every year, thousands descend on the Berkshire racecourse, decked out in their finest outfits, making it as much a fashion show and social gathering as it is a sporting event. It’s a truly amazing scene.

British Grand Prix 2026

When is it? 3rd – 5th Jul 2026
Where is it? Silverstone Racecourse, Towcester

Tickets for the British Grand Prix are now available! This race is an unforgettable event for motorsports enthusiasts, and with Lando Norris as the current champion, it will be exciting to see if a British driver can win again.

Goodwood Festival of Speed

When is it? 9th – 12th Jul 2026
Where is it? Goodwood Estate, West Sussex

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is a yearly celebration of cars, both old and new, held on the beautiful grounds of Goodwood House. It’s a fantastic event for anyone who loves motorsports, from dedicated enthusiasts to families just looking for a fun day out.

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

When is it? 23rd Jul – 2nd Aug 2026
Where is it? Glasgow (various locations)

This summer, Glasgow will host the Commonwealth Games, bringing over 200 medal competitions across 10 different sports to Scotland’s second-largest city. Expect to see exciting events like athletics, swimming, gymnastics, cycling, and netball.

England’s Strongest Man & Britain’s Strongest Woman

When is it? 25th – 26th Jul 2026
Where is it? York Barbican

York is set to host England’s Strongest Man and Britain’s Strongest Woman competitions, bringing together the country’s top strength athletes for two incredible events.

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European Athletics Championships

When is it? 10th – 16th Aug 2026
Where is it? Alexander Stadium, Birmingham

Top athletes from all over Europe will be competing in Birmingham this August. The championships will feature a variety of track and field events – including sprints, hurdles, jumps, throws, and long-distance races – and are expected to draw sports fans from around the globe.

Test Cricket: England vs Pakistan

When is it? 19th Aug – 13th Sep 2026
Where is it? Headingley, Lord’s, Edgbaston

Following the recent Ashes series, Test cricket is back in the UK! England will play Pakistan in three matches at Headingley, Lord’s, and Edgbaston this year.

Rugby League Magic Weekend

When is it? 4th – 5th Sep 2026
Where is it? Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool

The Magic Weekend is a yearly Rugby League event where all the Super League games in one round are played over a single weekend at one stadium. It’s a mix of sports and a festival atmosphere, making it a fantastic introduction to rugby for newcomers.

Authors

Olivia Garrett

2025-12-26 12:37