Your Epic Sports Schedule: Sporting Events to See
If you’re a sports fan who loves the thrill of competition and the excitement of live events, then you’re in the right place. Throughout the year, major sporting events captivate the hearts of fans worldwide, including mine, offering unforgettable moments and incredible experiences. Whether you’re a casual viewer or you travel to games, adding some of these iconic events to your bucket list can turn your love of sports into an adventure you’ll never forget.
January Sporting Events
NCAA College Football National Championship
Date: January 19th, 2026
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
The NCAA College Football National Championship is the season’s final college football bowl game. It features the top two teams in the nation. This event brings together the top two teams in the country, delivering a high-stakes atmosphere, passionate fan bases, and unforgettable moments.
Australian Open
Date: Mid to Late January
Location: Melbourne, Australia
One of tennis’s four Grand Slam events, the Australian Open is known for exciting matches and vibrant summer energy. Held on hard courts, the tournament attracts the world’s best players and draws huge crowds, both in person and on TV.
Winter X Games
Date: January
Location: Aspen, Colorado
Each January, the world’s best winter athletes descend upon Aspen. The Winter X Games, which have been held for over twenty years, feature competitions in skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling. With its daring tricks and youthful energy, it’s a must-watch for fans of adrenaline-pumping competition.
AFC & NFC Championships
Date: Late January
Location: Various NFL Stadiums (based on playoff seeding)
These two NFL games will determine who advances to the Super Bowl. With intense competition and legacy on the line, the conference championships often deliver some of the most memorable football games of the year.
Get ready for game day with official NFL gear!
February Sporting Events
Super Bowl
Date: February 8th, 2026
Location: Levi Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
The most-watched sporting event in the U.S., the Super Bowl, is the NFL’s championship game. It’s more than just football—featuring blockbuster halftime shows, star-studded commercials, and a massive cultural spotlight.
Ready to go? Big events like the Super Bowl and the Australian Open sell out fast.
Check ticket deals for those events and more!
Daytona 500
Date: Late February
Location: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida
The Daytona 500 is a 500-mile-long NASCAR Cup Series motor race held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Richard Petty has won the Daytona 500 seven times. It is known as The Great American Race.
NBA All-Star Weekend
Date: February 15th, 2026
Location: Intuit Dome, Los Angeles, CA
The National Basketball Association All-Star Weekend is a weekend festival held every February, midway through the NBA regular season. It features the All-Star game, the 3-point contest, the dunk contest, and more. It brings together top talent and big personalities for a fun and flashy break in the NBA season.
Winter Olympics
Date: February 6th – February 22nd, 2026
Location: Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo
The Winter Olympic Games is a major international multi-sport event held once every four years for sports practiced on snow and ice. Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo will host the 2026 games.
MLS Opening Match
Date: February
Location: Varies – Rotates among MLS stadiums across the United States and Canada
Major League Soccer (MLS) is a men’s professional soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, representing the sport’s highest level in the United States. The MLS season typically begins at the end of February and concludes in October.
NHL All-Star Weekend
Date: Early February
Location: Rotating NHL Cities
NHL All-Star Weekend is a celebration of the league’s top talent, featuring the All-Star Game, Skills Competition, and fan-driven events. The weekend brings together the biggest names in hockey in a lighthearted, high-energy setting.
March Sporting Events
Winter Paralympics
Date: March 6th – March 15th, 2026
Location: Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo
The Winter Paralympic Games are an international multi-sport event where athletes with physical disabilities compete in snow and ice sports. The last Winter Paralympic Games featured a record 109 events across 15 disciplines.
World Baseball Classic
Date: March 5th – 17th, 2026
Location: Rotating Cities
The World Baseball Classic is a major international baseball event where national teams from around the world compete. It takes place every few years and begins with pool play, followed by single-elimination rounds that include the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the championship game.
NCAA Men’s & Women’s Basketball Tournaments (March Madness)
Date: Mid-March to Early April
Location: Multiple cities across the U.S.
Known for bracket-busting drama and buzzer-beaters, March Madness is a single-elimination tournament to determine the top college basketball teams. Both the men’s and women’s tournaments captivate fans with underdog stories and intense matchups.
April Sporting Events
NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Four
Date: Early April
Location: Rotates among major U.S. cities.
The Final Four marks the climax of the NCAA basketball tournaments for both men’s and women’s teams, featuring the last four teams competing for a spot in their respective national championship games. This weekend delivers thrilling basketball, memorable moments, and a festival atmosphere that brings fans together to celebrate college basketball’s best.
MLB Opening Day
Date: Late March to Early April
Location: MLB stadiums across the U.S. and Canada
The official start of the Major League Baseball season. Opening Day is a celebration of America’s pastime, filled with hope, tradition, and excitement in ballparks nationwide.
Get ready for baseball season with official MLB hats and jerseys!
The Masters Tournament
Date: Early April
Location: Augusta, GA
The Masters is the first of the four major golf tournaments, the most prestigious and challenging for professional golfers. The Masters is held at Augusta National and is known for its rich tradition, beautiful scenery, and legendary green jacket.
NBA Playoffs
Date: Mid-April through June
Location: Varies by team seeding and arena
The NBA Playoffs feature the top teams from each conference battling through multiple best-of-seven series for a shot at the championship. The playoffs feature some of the most thrilling basketball of the year and are known for their high-stakes drama, clutch plays, and fierce rivalries.
From March Madness to The Masters, spring brings the heat.
See Tickets for Spring’s Biggest Events
May Sporting Events
Kentucky Derby
Date: First Saturday in May
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Held on the first Saturday of May, the Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown. It is the most famous horse race in the U.S., known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” It’s a mix of athleticism, tradition, fashion, and Southern charm at Churchill Downs.
U.S. PGA Championship
Date: Mid-May
Location: Rotates among top golf courses across the U.S.
The PGA Championship is one of the four major championships in professional golf. It brings together the sport’s best players for four days of elite competition. Known for its challenging courses and deep fields, it’s a key part of golf’s major season and a prestigious title on every golfer’s résumé.
WNBA Season Tip-Off
Date: Early May
Location: WNBA arenas across the U.S.
The Women’s National Basketball Association, also known as the WNBA, begins in May. Tip-off weekend sets the tone for the months ahead, celebrating women’s professional basketball with great matchups and growing nationwide excitement.
Don’t just watch-represent. Grab your official WNBA team jersey here.
Indianapolis 500
Date: Memorial Day Weekend
Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, Indiana
The Indy 500 is known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” It is one of the most iconic motorsports events in the world. The drivers compete at breathtaking speeds for 500 miles in front of a huge crowd.
French Open
Date: Late May to Early June
Location: Roland Garros Stadium, Paris, France
The French Open is the premier clay-court championship in the world and the only Grand Slam tournament played on clay. It is also known as Roland Garros.
Monaco Grand Prix
Date: Late May
Location: Monte Carlo, Monaco
The Monaco Grand Prix is a Formula One motor racing event held annually on the Circuit de Monaco. It is usually held on the last weekend of May and is known as one of the largest weekends in auto racing.
The Prefontaine Classic
Date: Late May or Early June
Location: Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon
The Prefontaine Classic is one of the premier track and field meets in the U.S. Named after legendary runner Steve Prefontaine, the event draws world-class athletes. It delivers Olympic-caliber performances in a historic setting.
June Sporting Events
NHL Stanley Cup Finals
Date: Early to Mid-June
Location: Varies based on seeding
The Stanley Cup Finals is the championship game for the National Hockey League. The Stanley Cup is North America’s oldest professional sports trophy.
Get ready for the Stanley Cup Finals today! Get your NHL gear here.
NBA Finals
Date: Early to Mid-June
Location: Varies based on seeding
The culmination of the NBA season, where the Eastern and Western Conference champions face off for the title. The team that wins the series is awarded the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
FIFA World Cup
Date: Every 4 years (Men’s and Women’s alternate every two years)
Location: Rotates among host countries
The FIFA World Cup is the most prestigious tournament in international soccer, uniting national teams from around the world. The championship has been awarded every four years since the inaugural tournament in 1930. The World Cup is usually held in the summer. The next World Cup will be held in 2026.
U.S. Open
Date: Mid-June
Location: Rotates among top golf courses across the U.S.
The U.S. Open is a golf championship held in the United States. It is hosted by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and is known for its challenging setups and demanding course conditions.
USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
Date: Late June or Early July
Location: Rotates, but often held at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon
The USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships (USATF) is an annual track and field competition organized by USA Track & Field, serving as the national championship for the sport in the United States.
July Sporting Events
Tour de France
Date: Early to Late July
Location: Various routes across France
The Tour de France is the most prestigious cycling race in the world, featuring elite riders competing across grueling stages of mountains, countryside, and city streets. Spanning three weeks, the race tests endurance, teamwork, and strategy, attracting global attention and millions of fans lining the roads each summer.
Wimbledon
Date: Early to Mid-July
Location: London, England
The Wimbledon Championship is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is widely regarded as the most prestigious. It is played on outdoor grass courts during July.
MLB All-Star Game
Date: July 15th, 2025
Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
The MLB All-Star Game (also known as the “Midsummer Classic”) is an annual game played between the all-stars from the American League (AL) and National League (NL). The 95th All-Star game is scheduled to be played on July 15th, hosted by the Atlanta Braves.
Gear up for the All-Star Game by grabbing your favorite player’s jersey here.
WNBA All-Star Game
Date: Mid to Late July
Location: Rotating WNBA cities
The WNBA All-Star Game is an annual exhibition basketball game held in the United States between the top players from the Western and Eastern Conferences of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
The Summer Olympic Games
Date: Every 4 years (late July to early August)
Location: Rotating global host cities
The Summer Olympic Games is an international athletic competition featuring multiple sporting events, with athletes from all over the world representing their countries. The next Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles, USA, from July 14 to July 30, 2028.
Dreaming of a global sports adventure? Whether it’s the Tour de France or the Olympics, you can make it happen.
Book Your Trip + Save on Tickets
August Sporting Events
FIBA Basketball World Cup
Date: Every 4 years
Location: Rotates among international host countries
The FIBA Basketball World Cup is the premier international tournament for men’s basketball, featuring national teams from across the globe. The next FIBA Basketball World Cup will be held in 2027.
US Open
Date: Late August through early September
Location: Queens, NY
The US Open Tennis Championships is a hardcourt tennis tournament held annually in Queens, New York. It is the final Grand Slam of the tennis season. It draws global tennis stars and massive crowds.
NCAA Football Kickoff
Date: Late August
Location: Various locations
The NCAA Football Kickoff marks the start of the college football season, reigniting school spirit, rivalries, and the pursuit of bowl games and playoff spots.
September Sporting Events
NFL Kickoff
Date: Early September
Location: Stadiums across the US (in most cases)
The official kickoff to the NFL season, with packed stadiums and tailgate parties returning. Fans look forward to rivalries, surprises, and the intense competition that leads to the playoffs.
The Ryder Cup
Date: Every 2 years (late September or early October)
Location: Rotates between courses in the U.S. and Europe
The Ryder Cup is a match-play style tournament held every two years, pitting a team of the best golfers from the United States against a team of the best golfers from Europe.
WNBA Finals
Date: Late September to October
Location: Varies based on team seeding
The WNBA Finals crown the league’s champion after a hard-fought postseason. The top teams face off in a best-of-five series, showcasing elite competition, clutch performances, and the continued growth of women’s professional basketball.
Fall is for rivalries, playoffs, and electric atmospheres.
Get Your Seats Before the Season Heats Up
October Sporting Events
The MLB Playoffs
Date: October
Locations: Various MLB stadiums, based on team standings
The MLB Playoffs bring together the best teams from the regular season to compete in a series of elimination rounds.
NHL Season Starts
Date: Early October
Location: NHL arenas across the U.S. and Canada
The start of the NHL season signals the return of professional hockey, with teams unveiling new rosters and eager to compete for the Stanley Cup.
NBA Season Starts
Date: Mid to Late October
Location: NBA arenas across the U.S. and Canada
The NBA season tip-off marks the beginning of a new basketball year, featuring fresh team lineups, new rookies, and championship hopes.
The World Series
Date: Late October to early November
Location: Home stadiums of the two competing MLB teams
The World Series is Major League Baseball’s (MLB) championship series. The winner is determined through a best-of-seven playoff series featuring the American League and National League champions.
Don’t just watch, represent your squad. Grab your official MLB World Series team jersey here.
November Sporting Events
NFL on Thanksgiving
Date: Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)
Location: Various NFL stadiums
The NFL has been playing games on Thanksgiving for decades. Thanksgiving Day football is a beloved American tradition that features multiple games, bringing families and fans together.
This year’s NFL Thanksgiving games are:
- Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions: 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX
- Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys: 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS
- Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens: 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC
NASCAR Championship Weekend
Date: Mid-November
Location: Phoenix Raceway, Avondale, Arizona
Since 2002, NASCAR’s top three racing series have closed their season with a weekend designed to crown each series’ champion, officially known as NASCAR Championship Weekend. The event crowns the season champions after high-pressure races filled with strategy, speed, and intense competition.
NCAA Basketball Season
Date: Early November through March
Location: College campuses and arenas around the country
The NCAA basketball season is a dynamic journey, beginning with early-season tournaments and culminating in March Madness. Both men’s and women’s teams compete across hundreds of games, showcasing rising stars and deep-rooted rivalries.
The MLS Cup
Date: November or early December
Location: Hosted by the higher-seeded team’s stadium
The MLS Cup is the annual championship game of Major League Soccer (MLS) and the culmination of the MLS Cup Playoffs. The match caps off the MLS playoffs and celebrates the sport’s growth in North America.
December Sporting Events
NCAA Bowl Season
Date: Mid-December through Early January
Location: Various cities and stadiums across the U.S.
The college football bowl season features a series of postseason games that celebrate top teams and reward successful seasons.
NCAA College Football Playoff
Date: Late December to Early January
Location: Rotates among major stadiums in the U.S.
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is an annual postseason knockout tournament that determines a national champion for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of college football competition in the United States.
NBA on Christmas
Date: December 25th
Location: NBA arenas across the U.S.
Watching NBA games on Christmas is another tradition. The National Basketball Association (NBA) has long held games on Christmas Day, December 25. This year, the NBA will feature five games on Christmas Day.
Random Sporting Events
Professional Boxing
Date: Varies throughout the year
Location: Various arenas worldwide
Professional boxing features high-profile fights that can occur year-round, often scheduled with short notice, depending on the fighters and promoters.
UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)
Date: Occurs regularly throughout the year
Location: Different venues worldwide
UFC events are held frequently around the globe, featuring mixed martial arts bouts that range from preliminary cards to main event title fights. Known for intense competition and diverse fighting styles, UFC offers fans nonstop action and rising stars in the fight world.
Ready to chase the action? If you have a sports bucket list, bookmark this article and choose some events from this list to attend.
Check ticket availability for 2025 events.
Jason Butler is the owner of My Money Chronicles, a website where he discusses personal finance, side hustles, travel, and more. Jason is from Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Savannah State University with his BA in Marketing. Jason has been featured in Forbes, Discover, and Investopedia.
