23 unmissable sporting matches to see live in 2026 – and how to get tickets now
From rugby finals to athletics meets to horse racing, we have something for everyone.
Nothing out there compares to the thrill and atmosphere of live sport.
Whether you're a die-hard supporter of your local team or a casual watcher of Team GB when the time comes, we all turn our eyes to the sporting field (or pitch or court) now and again.
So, let 2026 be the year you get yourself in the thick of it and attend one of the best and biggest contests of the year. Whether that be international athletics, football derbies or horse racing meets, this list has a huge range of events and experiences available.
We've listed some of the biggest crowd-drawing events happening in London and across the UK. Plus, bear in mind that not all tickets will be on sale yet, so we'll be updating this as the year goes on.
On your marks, get set...
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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 one for the history books, with Newcastle United claiming their first major title since 1969. For football lovers both casual and super-fan, this match is a great start to the year plus you get the atmosphere of Wembley at a lower cost.
Buy Carabao Cup Final tickets at Seat Unique
WSL: Arsenal Women vs Tottenham Hotspur Women
- When is it? 29th March 2026
- Where is it? Emirates Stadium
The London derby of Arsenal vs Tottenham is always a highlight of the Premier League and WSL. Every year, Arsenal Women take the match to the Emirates with a sold-out crowd, so don't miss your chance to be a part of it.
Buy Arsenal Women vs Tottenham Hotspur Women tickets at Ticketmaster
Queen's Club Tennis Championships
- When is it? 8th - 21st Jun 2026
- Where is it? Queen's Club
Queen's is the much-loved (and cheaper) pre-cursor to Wimbledon, with a range of top tennis stars appearing. Last year, the trophy was won by two-time Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz and Tatjana Maria.
Buy Queen's Club Tennis Championships at Keith Prowse
Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final
- When is it? 20th Jun 2026
- Where is it? Allianz Stadium
No matter what team you support, the Gallagher Premiership Final is a great day out at Allianz (Twickenham) Stadium. Last year the contest was won by Bath against Leicester Tigers.
Buy Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final tickets at Ticketmaster
Wimbledon Championships 2026
![LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 13: Jannik Sinner (ITA) [1] during his Gentlemen's Singles Final match against Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) [2] during day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/07/GettyImages-2225239721-6fa8e48.jpg?quality=90&webp=true&fit=3300,2020 "Day Fourteen: The Championships - Wimbledon 2025")
- When is it? 29th Jun - 12th Jul 2026
- Where is it? Wimbledon Tennis Club
The Wimbledon ballot has now closed, but there are still ways to get tickets to the 2026 tournament. Either you can join the dreaded, but fun, queue when the tournament begins, or you can opt for hospitality tickets which are selling out fast.
London Athletics Meet
- When is it? 18th Jul 2026
- Where is it? London Stadium
The Novuna London Athletics Meet is the biggest one-day athletics event of the year. Returning once again to the iconic London Stadium, it’s sold out three years running, and with the action getting better every year, it’s no wonder.
Buy London Athletics Meet tickets at Ticketmaster
Union Jack Classic
- When is it? 18th Jul 2026
- Where is it? Wembley Stadium
College American football is coming to the UK for the first time this summer for the inaugural Union Jack Classic. Top teams Kansas and Arizona State will be facing off at Wembley Stadium in a bid to gain new international fans.
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
Frank Warren is marking 45 years as a licensed British boxing promoter by bringing the Magnificent 7 series back to Manchester. Headlined by a heavyweight showdown between Moses Itauma and Jermain Franklin, the evening will hit the Co-op Live Arena in January and tickets are still available.
Buy Magnificent 7 Boxing: Itauma vs Franklin tickets at Ticketmaster
Premier League Darts
- When is it? 2nd Feb - 21st May
- Where is it? Various locations
We all know Luke Littler is one of the biggest sporting icons of the day, which is why you shouldn't miss the three-month Premier League Darts contest travelling around the likes of Aberdeen, Brighton, Manchester and more.
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 is always a highlight of the rugby calendar with 15 matches per tournament to pick from. The one we've chosen to highlight is Scotland vs England, otherwise known as the Calcutta Cup, which happens to be the oldest cup in rugby history. This contest is always packed with surprises especially following 2025's match where England scooped the trophy for the first time in four years.
Cycling National Tracks Championships
- When is it? 19th - 22nd Feb 2026
- Where is it? National Cycling Centre, Manchester
This return to the National Cycling Centre will see the best of British riders go head-to-head for a chance to win the coveted red, white, and blue national champions’ jerseys. This year sees the addition of an extra session on Thursday 19 February, which sees more exciting racing such as the Men's Paracycling Scratch final.
Buy Cycling National Tracks Championships at Ticketmaster
Big Day Out rugby: Bristol Bears vs Harlequins
- When is it? 28th Mar 2026
- Where is it? Principality Stadium, Cardiff
For the second year, Bristol Bears are taking one of their matches over the border to Wales' Principality Stadium. The West-Country side will be facing off against Harlequins in a repeat of the 2025 Big Game.
- Buy Big Day Out rugby: Bristol Bears vs Harlequins tickets at Ticketmaster
- Buy Big Day Out rugby: Bristol Bears vs Harlequins tickets at Seat Unique
The Grand National 2026
- When is it? 9th - 11th Apr 2026
- Where is it? Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool
Grand National tickets are now on sale as the world-famous National Hunt horse race returns to Aintree Racecourse.
Buy The Grand National 2026 tickets at Jockey Club
ICC Women's T20 Cricked World Cup
- When is it? 12th Jun - 5th Jul 2026
- Where is it? Various locations
England and Wales will host the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, bringing together twelve of the world's top teams in a thrilling contest for the coveted trophy. The current champions are New Zealand, who will be hoping to bring home another win this time.
- Buy ICC Women's T20 Cricked World Cup tickets at T20
- Buy ICC Women's T20 Cricked World Cup tickets at Seat Unique
Royal Ascot 2026
- When is it? 16th - 20th Jun 2026
- Where is it? Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire
Royal Ascot is undoubtedly as much of a social event as it is racing meet. Across the week thousands pour into the Berkshire racecourse in their best clothes, ready to watch.
Buy Royal Ascot 2026 tickets at Ticketmaster
British Grand Prix 2026
- When is it? 3rd - 5th Jul 2026
- Where is it? Silverstone Racecourse, Towcester
British Grand Prix tickets are on sale. This incredible race is a once in a lifetime experience for so many motorsport fans, and with Lando Norris currently holding the trophy, we can't wait to see if another Brit takes the title.
- Buy British Grand Prix 2026 tickets at Motorsport Tickets
- Buy British Grand Prix 2026 tickets at Seat Unique
Goodwood Festival of Speed
- When is it? 9th - 12th Jul 2026
- Where is it? Goodwood Estate, West Sussex
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an annual motorsports festival featuring modern and historic vehicles in the stunning grounds of Goodwood House, a packed day out for petrol heads, families and casual fans alike.
Buy Goodwood Festival of Speed tickets at Seat Unique
Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
- When is it? 23rd Jul - 2nd Aug 2026
- Where is it? Glasgow (various locations)
The Commonwealth Games are coming to Glasgow this summer, with 10 sports and over 200 medal events descending on Scotland's second largest city. Highlights include Athletics, Swimming, Gymnastics, Cycling, Netball, and more.
Buy Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games tickets
England's Strongest Man & Britain's Strongest Woman
- When is it? 25th - 26th Jul 2026
- Where is it? York Barbican
York will, once again, be at the forefront of the strength world as the strongest men and women from across the country descend on the city for two awe-inspiring events: England's Strongest Man and Britain's Strongest Woman.
Buy England's Strongest Man & Britain's Strongest Woman tickets at Ticketmaster
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European Athletics Championships
- When is it? 10th - 16th Aug 2026
- Where is it? Alexander Stadium, Birmingham
Elite athletes from across Europe will converge on Birmingham this August, to compete at the highest level. The Championships cover a wide range of disciplines — from sprints and hurdles to jumps, throws, and distance events — and will bring sport fans together from across the world.
Buy European Athletics Championships tickets at Eventim
Test Cricket: England vs Pakistan
- When is it? 19th Aug - 13th Sep 2026
- Where is it? Headingley, Lord's, Edgbaston
After the disappointment of the Ashes we can all look forward to the return of Test Cricket on UK soil. This year, England will face off against Pakistan over three tests in Headingley, Lord's and Edgbaston.
Buy England vs Pakistan tickets at Seat Unique
Rugby League Magic Weekend
- When is it? 4th - 5th Sep 2026
- Where is it? Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool
The Magic Weekend is an annual event organised by Rugby League in which an entire round of Super League matches is played over a weekend at a single stadium. It's sport and festival combined and a great start for rugby initiates.
Buy Rugby League Magic Weekend tickets at Seat Unique
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