Happy new year! 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most intense and memorable years in the history of sportswith a calendar packed with events that cross continents, disciplines and global audiences. From the FIFA World Cup in North America until the closing of the NFL with the Super Bowl LXpassing through the Formula 1he World Baseball Classic, the Champions League and Mexican soccer, the year will not give the fans any respite.
Next, the key events that will mark the 2026 sports agenda.
The 2026 World Cup, the axis of the sporting year
The main attraction of the calendar will be the FIFA World Cup 2026the first in history organized by three host countries: Mexico, the United States and Canadaand the first with 48 selections.
The tournament will start on June 11with a historic match in the Aztec Stadiumwhere Mexico will face South Africa in the opening duel. With this, the Santa Úrsula property will become the first stadium to host opening matches of three World Cups (1970, 1986 and 2026).
The group stage will last until June 27while the final phase will begin with the round of 32 from June 28. The grand finale will be disputed July 19 in the stadium New York/New Jerseyclosing a tournament that promises to be the most ambitious in history.
The World Cup comes to Mexico I AP
Formula 1: new era and the return of Checo Pérez
Motorsports will also experience a key year with the 2026 Formula 1 seasonwhich will have 24 Grand Prix and will mark the beginning of a new technical erawith cars and engines that will use one hundred percent sustainable fuels.
The championship will begin on March 6 in Australia and will conclude December 4 in Abu Dhabiwith six sprint races throughout the calendar.
For the Mexican fans, the great attraction will be the return of Sergio “Checo” Pérezwho will return to the grid as a team driver cadillacone of the new teams in the category. He Mexican Grand Prixprogrammed from October 30 to November 1 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, will once again be one of the most anticipated dates of the year.
Checo Pérez, brand new Cadillac driver in F1 I RECORD
World Baseball Classic: March at full speed
The first quarter of the year will have as its protagonist World Baseball Classic 2026which will be disputed March 5 to 17with headquarters in Houston, Miami, San Juan and Tokyo.
Twenty teams will compete for the title under a format of four groups of five teamswith direct elimination from the quarterfinals. Mexicolocated in the Group Bwill face United States, Italy, Brazil and the United Kingdomin one of the most demanding sectors of the tournament.
The final will be played on March 17 in Miamiin a contest that has already established itself as one of the most attractive international events in baseball.
NFL: Super Bowl LX and Bad Bunny at halftime
Professional American football will define its champion at the beginning of the year with the Super Bowl LXscheduled for February 8 in it Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The regular season will conclude on January 4giving way to the playoffsin which seven teams per conference will seek a ticket to the title game. The Philadelphia Eagles they arrive like defending champions.
In addition to its sporting appeal, the Super Bowl will attract spotlights for its halftime showwhich will feature the stellar participation of Bad Bunnyone of the most influential artists globally.
Bad Bunny aims to be the artist of the halftime show of the Super Bowl LIX 2026 I AP
Liga MX: Clausura 2026 and a semester without respite
He mexican soccer will begin activity almost immediately with the Clausura 2026 tournamentwhich will start the Friday January 9. The contest will have three double daysa break for FIFA Date and direct Liguilla from the quarterfinals.
The End is scheduled for May 24while the calendar will include high-impact classics such as:
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Chivas vs America (February 14)
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Atlas vs Chivas and Tigres vs Rayados (March 7)
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America vs Cruz Azul (April 11)
In parallel, the Mexican clubs will compete for the Concacaf Champions Cupwhose final will be played on May 31.
The reopening of the Azteca Stadium, a symbolic moment
Another of the most anticipated moments of the year will be the reopening of the Azteca Stadiumnow Banorte Stadiumas part of the preparation for the World Cup.
He Saturday March 28the Mexican team will face Portugal in an international friendly that will mark the reopening of the property. The duel will have the presence of Cristiano Ronaldoin addition to figures such as Bruno Fernandes and Vitinhabecoming a historic event for the fans.
Cristiano Ronaldo will reopen the Azteca I RECORD
Champions League: Europe defines its champion in Budapest
European football will experience its climax on May 30, 2026when the Champions League final in it Budapest Puskás Arenafirst final of the tournament held in Hungary.
The knockout rounds will begin in Februarywith round of 16 in March, quarterfinals in April and semifinals at the end of April and beginning of May, closing a highly demanding club season.
A year that will remain in memory
With events spread throughout the twelve months, global figures, new sporting eras and historical settings, 2026 will be a year that will mark an era. A calendar without breaks that will turn each month into a must-see event for sports fans in Mexico and the world.
