As we wave goodbye to 2025 and all the incredible sporting moments we will be able to cherish forever, it is time to look forward and get prepared for the action-packed year ahead.
Here at betcha, we are ready to roll into 2026 and will do so by highlighting a few key events already on the calendar that we cannot wait for. So, while they may still be a little way off, it’s never too early to get a sneak peek at what’s coming up and ensure that when the time comes, we are more than prepared to enjoy the events.
The 2026 FWC
When discussing 2026 sporting events, we might as well rip the band-aid off and start with the event that truly stops the world. In what has felt like a flash, we are already on the doorstep of another FWC, set to take place in North America this year. The host countries, America, Mexico and Canada, will become the stage for the hopes and dreams of 48 nations as they battle it out to be crowned champions of the world.
The atmosphere is set to be electric, with 4.5 million fans registered for the first draw of tickets. The scene in North America is expected to be unlike anything we have ever seen. With 16 extra teams, more room for upsets, and even more fans travelling to an event that in 2022 drew an estimated five billion viewers when it was hosted in Qatar, the stage is set for a tournament to remember.
When it comes to the football, the usual suspects are sitting at the top as tournament favourites. Spain, France, Brazil, England and Germany all look like solid contenders, but as we know, knockout football is prime time for surprises. This was evident in 2025, when the Club World Cup, hosted in America as a trial run, saw upset after upset and produced a sensational tournament.
With the World Cup expansion, the North American heat in July and the talent on show, 2026 could deliver a truly historic tournament.
The Winter Olympics
Slightly earlier in the calendar than the headlining World Cup, there is still plenty of action to enjoy with the Winter Olympics back on our screens in the early portion of February. The host nation for the Winter Olympics this year is the jaw-dropping Northern Italy, with Milan and Cortina set to be the epicentres of the event.
The two-week spectacle has special history in Cortina, as the area was originally selected to host back in 1944. Of course, this was delayed until 1956 because of the war. From there, the region saw a major boost in tourism and has become a hub for alpine sports enthusiasts ever since, thanks to its rugged yet beautiful cold terrain, perfect for all winter sports.
This time around, Cortina will host 16 of the Alpine events, with all the skiing and snowboarding disciplines taking place there, while also hosting events such as bobsleigh and ice skating. So, for those interested in alpine sports, or even just enjoying outstandingly talented athletes competing at a high level, the early to middle portion of February should be marked out to watch the show from the winter wonderland of Northern Italy.
T20 Cricket World Cup
The ever changing world of cricket has ensured that the T20 World Cup is now one of the premier competitions on the global calendar, and come February, the world’s best cricketing nations will travel to India and Sri Lanka to contest the next edition of the tournament.
The exciting part about T20 is not just the fast paced nature of the sport, but the fact that there are specialists in the format. This means you will see different names headline sides compared to a Test team. For the Black Caps, that could mean players like Finn Allen and Tim Seifert opening the batting, when generally throughout the year they are competing on the professional circuit rather than featuring regularly for the national side.
Another great element of the format is the unpredictable nature of the game, which allows for genuine upsets to occur on any given evening. This means you could see one, if not two, of the traditional big three cricketing nations miss out on the playoffs, leaving room for the likes of New Zealand, the West Indies and home side Sri Lanka to have a genuine chance come the business end of the tournament.
