Major Sporting Events Calendar: The Biggest Sports Events to Attend
There are major sporting events happening almost every month of the year. You’ve got the Super Bowl in February, March Madness in the spring, the NBA Finals in June, Wimbledon in the summer, the World Series in October, and plenty more in between.
If you enjoy traveling for sports, that gives you a lot of options.
I’ve traveled around the country visiting stadiums and attending games, and one of my goals is to visit every MLB ballpark. I’ve been able to check places like Wrigley Field, Camden Yards, Petco Park, Fenway Park, Oracle Park, T-Mobile Park, and Target Field off my list.
Sometimes the game is the main reason for the trip. Other times, I’ll see what’s happening in a city I’m already visiting and add a game to the itinerary.
That’s one reason I put together this major sporting events calendar. If you’re looking for your next sports trip or just want to know what’s happening throughout the year, this gives you a place to start.
Dates and host cities can change from year to year, so make sure you double-check the official schedule before booking a trip.
January Sporting Events
College Football Playoff National Championship
When: January
Where: Rotating U.S. host city
The College Football Playoff National Championship wraps up the college football season.
The host city changes each year, which makes this an interesting one for travelers. You’re getting a championship game while also having a different city to explore.
Australian Open
When: January
Where: Melbourne, Australia
The Australian Open is the first tennis Grand Slam of the year and one of the biggest sporting events in Australia.
Going all the way to Melbourne for tennis isn’t exactly a weekend trip, but if Australia is already on your bucket list, this could be one hell of a way to build a trip around sports.
Winter X Games
When: January
Where: Aspen, Colorado
The Winter X Games bring top skiing and snowboarding athletes to Aspen.
This is completely different from sitting in a stadium watching football or baseball. That’s part of the appeal. If you’re into winter sports and crazy tricks, this is one to consider.
AFC and NFC Championship Games
When: Late January
Where: Determined by NFL playoff results
These two games determine who goes to the Super Bowl.
They’re harder to plan for because you won’t know the locations until the playoffs are underway. If your team hosts one, though, you’re getting one of the best NFL atmospheres of the season.
February Sporting Events
Super Bowl
When: February
Where: Rotating U.S. host city
The Super Bowl is the biggest event on the American sports calendar.
Tickets can get ridiculously expensive, but you don’t necessarily have to attend the game to experience Super Bowl week. Host cities usually have fan events, concerts, parties, media events, and plenty of other things happening.
That makes it possible to build a trip around the Super Bowl without paying thousands of dollars to get inside the stadium.
Daytona 500
When: February
Where: Daytona International Speedway — Daytona Beach, Florida
The Daytona 500 is NASCAR’s biggest race and one of the most recognizable motorsports events in the country.
I’m not a huge NASCAR guy, but seeing that many people packed into Daytona International Speedway while cars fly around the track at nearly 200 mph would be an experience.
NBA All-Star Weekend
When: February
Where: Rotating NBA host city
NBA All-Star Weekend is much more than one basketball game.
You’ve got the All-Star Game, 3-Point Contest, Dunk Contest, Rising Stars, celebrity events, and plenty happening around the host city.
Winter Olympics
When: Every four years
Where: Rotating international host
The Winter Olympics don’t happen every February, but they’re too big to leave off this calendar.
Skiing, snowboarding, hockey, figure skating, bobsledding, and other winter sports take place over several weeks. During an Olympic year, this becomes one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
MLS Season Begins
When: February
Where: MLS stadiums across the U.S. and Canada
Major League Soccer typically starts its season around February.
MLS matches can have a completely different atmosphere from other American professional sports. Some supporter sections stay loud for practically the entire match.
Ready to attend one? Compare ticket prices for upcoming sporting events.
March Sporting Events
World Baseball Classic
When: Typically March every few years
Where: Multiple international host cities
The World Baseball Classic brings national baseball teams together for an international tournament.
As a baseball fan, I like the idea of seeing players who are usually MLB teammates competing against each other for their countries. The atmosphere can be wild when teams with passionate fan bases meet.
March Madness
When: March through early April
Where: Multiple U.S. cities
March Madness is one of the easiest major sporting events to build a trip around because games happen in several cities.
You don’t have to wait for the Final Four either. The opening rounds give you several games and usually at least a couple of upsets.
Both the men’s and women’s tournaments have become major events.
April Sporting Events
NCAA Final Four
When: Early April
Where: Rotating U.S. host cities
March Madness ends with the Final Four.
By this point, only four teams are left, and thousands of fans from those schools descend on one city for the weekend.
MLB Opening Day
When: Late March or early April
Where: MLB stadiums across the U.S. and Canada
Opening Day is one of my favorite times of the sports year because everybody starts 0-0.
If you’re working on a stadium bucket list, this can also be a good time to knock out another ballpark.
The Masters
When: April
Where: Augusta National Golf Club — Augusta, Georgia
The Masters is one of golf’s four majors and one of the biggest annual sporting events in Georgia.
Getting tickets isn’t easy, but Augusta National is one of those places sports fans talk about for years after visiting.
NBA Playoffs
When: April through June
Where: NBA arenas
The NBA regular season gives way to the playoffs in April.
This is when the atmosphere changes. A random regular-season game in January and a playoff game with a series tied 2-2 are two completely different experiences.
NHL Playoffs
When: April through June
Where: NHL arenas
The NHL playoffs also begin around this time.
Playoff hockey is another event where being inside the arena gives you something television can’t completely capture.
May Sporting Events
Kentucky Derby
When: First Saturday in May
Where: Churchill Downs — Louisville, Kentucky
The Kentucky Derby is one of those events that’s bigger than the actual sport.
You’ve got horse racing, fashion, food, parties, traditions, and an entire weekend built around a race that lasts about two minutes.
PGA Championship
When: May
Where: Rotating U.S. golf course
The PGA Championship is one of golf’s four major tournaments and brings together many of the best players in the world.
Because the location changes, it also gives golf fans a chance to experience different courses around the country.
WNBA Season Begins
When: May
Where: WNBA arenas
The WNBA season usually gets underway in May.
If you’ve never attended a WNBA game, the longer season gives you plenty of opportunities to work one into a summer trip.
Indianapolis 500
When: Memorial Day Weekend
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway — Indianapolis, Indiana
The Indianapolis 500 is one of the biggest motorsports events in the world.
The size of Indianapolis Motor Speedway alone makes this one different. Add hundreds of thousands of fans and cars running at more than 200 mph, and I can see why people put this on their sports bucket lists.
French Open
When: Late May through early June
Where: Roland Garros — Paris, France
The French Open is the only tennis Grand Slam played on clay.
If Paris is already somewhere you want to visit, adding a day at Roland Garros sounds like a pretty good bonus.
Monaco Grand Prix
When: May
Where: Monte Carlo, Monaco
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of Formula 1’s most famous races.
Cars race through the streets of Monaco on a tight course surrounded by buildings, yachts, and some ridiculous scenery. It’s as much of a destination event as it is a race.
Planning a trip around a major sporting event? Compare hotels and travel deals.
June Sporting Events
NBA Finals
When: June
Where: Home arenas of the competing teams
The NBA Finals determine the league champion.
You obviously can’t plan the destination very far ahead because nobody knows which teams will make it, but attending a Finals game in your team’s home arena would be hard to beat.
Stanley Cup Final
When: June
Where: Home arenas of the competing teams
The Stanley Cup Final is the championship round of the NHL season.
Like the NBA Finals, the location isn’t something you can plan a year ahead. If your team gets there, you might have to make a quick decision.
FIFA World Cup
When: Every four years
Where: Rotating host countries
The FIFA World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events on the planet.
National teams from around the world compete over several weeks, and entire cities can change when World Cup fans arrive.
Atlanta got to experience that firsthand when it hosted eight matches during the 2026 tournament.
U.S. Open Golf Championship
When: June
Where: Rotating U.S. golf course
The U.S. Open is another of golf’s four majors.
It’s known for difficult course setups, which can make even the best golfers in the world look human.
USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships
When: June or July
Where: Rotating U.S. location
The USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships bring together some of the country’s fastest runners, best jumpers, and strongest throwers.
In years leading into the Olympics or World Championships, the stakes can be even higher.
July Sporting Events
Wimbledon
When: Late June through July
Where: London, England
Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world.
Grass courts, all-white clothing, Centre Court, and more than a century of tradition make it different from the other Grand Slams.
If London is already on your travel list, Wimbledon gives you a good reason to go during the summer.
Tour de France
When: July
Where: France and surrounding routes
The Tour de France is one of the few events on this list that isn’t tied to one stadium.
The race lasts several weeks and covers thousands of miles. Fans line the route through cities, mountains, and small towns.
MLB All-Star Game
When: July
Where: Rotating MLB stadium
The MLB All-Star Game brings together top players from the American and National Leagues.
All-Star Week also includes the Home Run Derby and other events, which makes it better for a trip than simply flying somewhere for one baseball game.
Since I’m working toward visiting every MLB stadium, this is one I’d definitely consider if it landed at a ballpark I hadn’t visited yet.
WNBA All-Star Game
When: July
Where: Rotating WNBA host city
The WNBA All-Star Game brings many of the league’s top players together during the middle of the season.
Like other All-Star weekends, there are usually additional events around the game.
Summer Olympics
When: Every four years
Where: Rotating international host
The Summer Olympics bring dozens of sports together in one host city.
Track and field, swimming, basketball, gymnastics, soccer, tennis, and plenty of other sports take place over a couple of weeks.
For somebody who loves several sports, it’s hard to find another event with that much happening at once.
Check ticket prices for upcoming baseball, tennis, and other major sporting events.
August Sporting Events
US Open Tennis
When: Late August through September
Where: Queens, New York
The US Open is the final tennis Grand Slam of the year.
New York makes this an easy event to turn into a bigger trip. Attend a tennis session, explore the city, eat some good food, and catch another game if the Mets or Yankees are home.
College Football Kickoff
When: Late August
Where: College stadiums around the country
By late August, college football starts coming back.
If you’re trying to experience some of America’s best sports atmospheres, attending a game at a major college stadium should be somewhere on the list.
FIBA Basketball World Cup
When: Every four years
Where: Rotating international host
The FIBA Basketball World Cup features national basketball teams from around the world.
It doesn’t get the same attention in the United States as the NBA Finals, but international basketball has continued to grow as more NBA players represent their countries.
September Sporting Events
NFL Kickoff
When: Early September
Where: NFL stadiums
September means NFL football is back.
If I’m traveling to an outdoor NFL stadium, this is when I’d rather do it. Give me September or October before I’m sitting somewhere in December wondering why I paid money to freeze.
Ryder Cup
When: Every two years
Where: Rotates between the United States and Europe
The Ryder Cup puts a team of American golfers against a team from Europe.
The team format and national pride create an atmosphere that’s completely different from a normal PGA Tour event.
WNBA Finals
When: September or October
Where: Home arenas of the competing teams
The WNBA Finals crown the league champion.
Like the NBA Finals, you won’t know the cities until the playoffs play out, so this can become a last-minute sports trip.
October Sporting Events
MLB Playoffs
When: October
Where: MLB stadiums
October is one of my favorite months for sports.
The MLB postseason goes from the Wild Card Series through the League Championship Series and eventually the World Series.
If you’ve only attended regular-season baseball, a playoff game is different. Every pitch feels like it matters.
NBA Season Begins
When: October
Where: NBA arenas
The NBA returns in October.
Basketball is one of the easier sports to add to a regular city trip because the arenas are indoors and there are 41 home games for each team.
NHL Season Begins
When: October
Where: NHL arenas
Hockey also returns around October.
Like basketball, an NHL game can be something you add to an existing trip without building the whole weekend around it.
World Series
When: Late October through early November
Where: Home stadiums of the competing teams
The World Series determines the MLB champion.
As a baseball fan, this is obviously one I’d like to attend at some point.
The problem is planning. You won’t know the cities until shortly before the games, and tickets aren’t exactly cheap.
But that’s part of what makes championship sports travel different.
November Sporting Events
NFL on Thanksgiving
When: Thanksgiving Day
Where: NFL stadiums
Football on Thanksgiving is one of the longest-running traditions in American sports.
Detroit and Dallas traditionally host games, with another matchup played at night.
Going to one would definitely be a different way to spend Thanksgiving.
NASCAR Championship Weekend
When: Fall
Where: Championship host track
NASCAR’s season ends with Championship Weekend, where titles are decided across its top racing series.
If you’re a NASCAR fan, this gives you something different from attending an early-season race like the Daytona 500.
College Basketball Season
When: November through March
Where: College arenas
College basketball starts getting going in November.
Early-season tournaments, rivalry games, and conference play eventually lead into March Madness.
MLS Cup
When: Late fall
Where: Determined by MLS playoff results
The MLS Cup determines the Major League Soccer champion.
Soccer continues to grow in the United States, and cities with strong supporter groups can create a great championship atmosphere.
December Sporting Events
College Football Bowl Season
When: December through January
Where: Various U.S. cities
Bowl season gives college football fans a lot of travel options.
Games are held in cities such as Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, New Orleans, Dallas, Phoenix, and others.
If you’re looking for a winter sports trip, I’d probably lean toward one of the warmer destinations.
College Football Playoff
When: December through January
Where: Multiple locations
The expanded College Football Playoff gives fans more postseason games to attend.
Instead of everything coming down to one neutral-site championship game, there are multiple rounds and stadiums involved.
NBA on Christmas Day
When: December 25
Where: NBA arenas
NBA basketball on Christmas has become a tradition.
The league usually schedules several of its biggest teams and stars throughout the day, so you can basically watch basketball from afternoon until late at night.
Major Sporting Events Held Throughout the Year
Some sports don’t fit neatly into one month.
UFC
UFC events take place throughout the year in cities around the world.
The biggest championship cards can turn into major event weekends, especially in places like Las Vegas.
Professional Boxing
Major boxing matches happen throughout the year and aren’t tied to a traditional season.
The biggest fights can draw people from around the world, and Las Vegas continues to be one of boxing’s biggest destinations.
Formula 1
Formula 1 races take place around the world for much of the year.
American fans now have races in places such as Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas, making it much easier to attend an F1 weekend without flying overseas.
Start planning your next sports trip and compare tickets for upcoming events.
Which Major Sporting Event Should You Attend?
There are way too many options for me to tell you there’s one sporting event everybody needs to attend.
Start with the sports you actually like.
Then look at the cities.
If you’ve always wanted to visit London, maybe Wimbledon gives you the excuse. If you’ve never been to Louisville, the Kentucky Derby could be the reason. If you’re trying to visit every MLB stadium like me, check the baseball schedule before planning your next trip.
The game doesn’t always have to be the entire vacation.
Some of my favorite sports trips have been a combination of seeing a new city and checking another stadium off my list.
That’s what makes sports travel fun to me.
There’s always another game, another stadium, and another city worth checking out.
The hardest part is figuring out which one is next.
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Jason Butler is the founder of My Money Chronicles and an SEO consultant with over a decade of blogging experience. Since 2015, he has earned income through side hustles including blogging, eBay flipping, affiliate marketing, and freelance work while paying off over $64,000 in debt. His work has been featured in Forbes, Discover, Investopedia, and Yahoo Finance.
