The New Year is not just about changing calendars; it's a reset button for dreams and aspirations. 2026 promises to be such a year, with a Triple Cricket World Cup, a global football fest, and epic confrontations from Asia to the Commonwealth. For fans, it won't be a year of waiting, but one of continuous excitement.
- 2026: The Triple Cricket World Cup Extravaganza
Where future and present collide
Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup (January 15–February 6)
- Hosted on the rich lands of Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The year kicks off with a glimpse into the future of cricket. Emerging stars like Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre will be watched closely. This platform transforms today's unknowns into tomorrow's Kohli, Bumrah, or Williamson. Eyes from India and beyond will be scouting the stars of the next decade here.
... Pressure, Thrills, and Fame
Men’s T20 World Cup (February 7-March 8)
- Jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
By February, cricket's quickest and most unforgiving format takes center stage. Home conditions, high expectations, and millions of fans' eyes make this tournament a test not just for a trophy but for nerves. Surya's brigade will aim to defend the T20 World Cup title.
Then in June comes the stage that has redefined women's cricket.
Women’s T20 World Cup (June 12–July 5)
- In England & Wales. Here, the battle is not just for trophies but also for recognition and equality. Teams, including India, aim to make history. After winning the 2025 One Day World Cup, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team will aim to repeat their success.
- The FIFA Showdown: When the World Holds its Breath
The year's biggest extravaganza is the
FIFA World Cup (June 11–July 19).
Jointly hosted in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, it's more than just a football tournament. It's a month when time zones, office hours, and sleep schedules revolve around football. New heroes will rise, old ones may fall, and history will be crafted yet again.
- Asian and Commonwealth Games: The True Test of Medals
In September, Asia will gather its strength on a single stage.
Asian Games (September 19–October 4)
- In Japan's Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya. Athletics, shooting, badminton, hockey - for India, it's a chance to boost both medal tally and dominance. The hockey team that wins gold secures a direct ticket to the Los Angeles Olympics 2028, while Olympic quota spots in shooting are also at stake.
July blends tradition and competition -
Commonwealth Games (July 23–August 2)
- Glasgow, Scotland. Every medal here is not just metal, but a part of history. Games like shooting, wrestling, and hockey have been cut from the roster due to budget reductions.
- Why is 2026 special?
Because it's not just about trophies -
It's the year of the rise of a new generation,
A year amplifying the strong voice of women's cricket,
And the longest test of fans' passion.
In 2026, the sports calendar is a timeline of emotions. Every month, every tournament is ready to write a new story.
Happy New Year - Get ready because 2026 is all set to play with full intensity.
- Also, keep an eye on other sports and tournaments
For Indian sports lovers, the coming months are set to be busy and thrilling. From football to chess, boxing, badminton, and athletics, India will be present on almost every major international stage.
The Australian Open will run from January 12 to February 1, though India doesn't pose a significant challenge here. The All England Badminton Championship starts on March 3, where PV Sindhu and other Indian players aim to bounce back from the missteps of 2025.
The most exciting news for Indian football fans is the return of the Indian women's team, which will see action at the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia starting March 1 after a long hiatus.
The Candidates Chess Tournament will be played from late March to April in Cyprus, determining the challenger for the next World Championship. Currently, D. Gukesh is the world champion, so Indian chess is keenly focused on this event.
Simultaneously, the Asian Boxing Championship will take place in Mongolia.
Starting March 28, the Candidates Chess Tournament features R. Praggnanandhaa in the open category, while R. Vaishali, Koneru Humpy, and Divya Deshmukh will represent India in the women's category. The chess tournament runs until April 16, while the boxing championship concludes on April 11.
In early April, India will host the Asian Weightlifting Championship, from April 1 to 10 in Ahmedabad. This is followed by the prestigious Thomas and Uber Cup Badminton Tournament from April 24 to May 3.
Shortly afterward, the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championship Finals will be held from April 28 to May 10 in London, with both the Indian men's and women’s teams having qualified.
The athletics season kicks off in May with the Diamond League, where once again, all eyes will be on javelin star Neeraj Chopra. The French Open will take place this month, followed by Wimbledon in June. Then the joint FIFA World Cup will unfold in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
A major highlight of the Indian sports calendar is the World Badminton Championship in Delhi starting August 17. Preceding this, the Hockey World Cup will be played from August 14 in the Netherlands and Belgium. The Indian men’s team has already qualified by winning the Asia Cup, while the women's team will play a qualifier in March in Hyderabad.
The Subcontinental Tour (Silver Level) of World Athletics will be held in Bhubaneswar starting August 22. Following this, the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan will take place from September 19 to October 4.
The Diamond League Finals for athletics will occur on September 4 and 5 in Brussels. Meanwhile, the 46th Chess Olympiad will be hosted in Tashkent in September.
The year’s excitement won't wane even during its closing stages. The World Wrestling Championships will take place in Bahrain from October 24, followed by the Weightlifting World Championships from October 27 to November 8.
The ISSF World Shooting Championships will be held in Doha from November 1, while the World Chess Championship is scheduled for December, with dates and the host site yet to be announced.
