The biggest events of 2026 were the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in February, the FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico from June to July, America's 250th birthday on July 4 and a total solar eclipse over Spain on August 12. Most of the year's big moments have now taken place. A few are still to come before December, and some major events for 2027 are already confirmed. This calendar shows you what happened, what's left and what to plan for next.
2026 major events calendar at a glance
Here are the most important events of 2026, month by month.
- January 21: 50 years of commercial Concorde flights (took place).
- February 6 to 22: Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, Italy (took place).
- March 6 to 15: Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, Italy (took place).
- April 1 to 10: NASA's Artemis II, the first crewed flight around the Moon since 1972 (took place).
- May 12 to 16: Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria (took place).
- June 11 to July 19: FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico (took place).
- June 29 to July 12: Wimbledon, London (took place).
- July 4: 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence (took place).
- July 4 to 26: Tour de France, starting in Barcelona (took place).
- July 23 to August 2: Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland (took place).
- August 12: Total solar eclipse over Greenland, Iceland and Spain (took place).
- September 19 to October 4: Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan (took place).
- November 9 to 20: UN Climate Change Conference COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye (coming up).
- November 6 to December 6: the last four Formula 1 races of the season, ending in Abu Dhabi (coming up).
2026 events that already took place
Here is a short recap of the big global events of 2026 so far.
Winter Olympics and Paralympics, Milano Cortina
The Olympic Winter Games took place from February 6 to 22, 2026, across Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo and other venues in northern Italy. Ski mountaineering made its Olympic debut. The Paralympic Winter Games followed from March 6 to 15.
FIFA World Cup 2026, USA, Canada and Mexico
The first World Cup with 48 teams and 104 matches ran from June 11 to July 19, 2026, in 16 host cities across three countries. It opened in Mexico City. In the final at New York New Jersey Stadium, Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win their second World Cup (FIFA World Cup 26).
America's 250th anniversary
On July 4, 2026, the United States marked 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, with celebrations across the country and especially in Philadelphia, where it was signed.
Wimbledon, Tour de France and Eurovision
- Eurovision 2026 took place in Vienna, with the final on May 16.
- Wimbledon ran from June 29 to July 12 in London.
- The Tour de France started with a team time trial in Barcelona on July 4 and finished in Paris on July 26 (Tour de France).
Commonwealth Games and Asian Games
Glasgow hosted the Commonwealth Games from July 23 to August 2. The Asian Games took place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.
Total solar eclipse in Spain
On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse crossed Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain. It was the first total eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999. In Spain, totality came just before sunset, with the Sun low in the sky.
Artemis II: people back around the Moon
NASA's Artemis II launched on April 1, 2026, and splashed down on April 10. Its four astronauts flew around the Moon, the first crewed lunar flight since 1972. The old plan to land people on the Moon in 2026 changed: NASA now plans Artemis III as a crewed test in Earth orbit in 2027, with the landing moved to a later mission.
50 years of Concorde
January 21, 2026, marked 50 years since Concorde's first commercial flights, which British Airways and Air France flew on January 21, 1976.
Big events still to come in 2026
The year isn't over yet. These events are still ahead in November and December 2026.
- COP31, Antalya (November 9 to 20): the UN Climate Change Conference takes place in Türkiye, with Australia presiding over the negotiations (UNFCCC: COP31). Heading to Antalya? Here's what to know about eSIM providers in Turkey.
- Formula 1 season finale: Brazil (November 6 to 8), Las Vegas (November 19 to 21), Qatar (November 27 to 29) and Abu Dhabi (December 4 to 6) (Formula 1: 2026 calendar).
Coming up in 2027: major events already confirmed
Planning ahead? These big events for 2027 have official dates.
- All year: Compostela Holy Year (Xacobeo 2027). The Feast of Saint James on July 25 falls on a Sunday, which makes 2027 a Holy Year in Santiago de Compostela (Santiago Cathedral).
- May 15 to August 15: Expo 2027 in Belgrade, Serbia (Expo 2027 Belgrade).
- June 24 to July 25: FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil, the first in South America, with the opener and final at the Maracanã in Rio (FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027). Read about the best eSIMs for Brazil.
- July 2: the Tour de France starts in Edinburgh, with a first stage to Carlisle (City of Edinburgh Council). See the best eSIMs for Scotland.
- August 2: a total solar eclipse with more than 6 minutes of totality in some places, visible from southern Spain, North Africa (including Morocco and Egypt) and Saudi Arabia (NASA: future eclipses).
- August 3 to 8: World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea (Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life). Check our page on eSIM providers in South Korea.
- September 13 to 19: the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, Ireland, with the matches from September 17 to 19 (Ryder Cup). See the best eSIMs for Ireland.
- October 1 to November 13: Men's Rugby World Cup in Australia, with the final in Sydney (Rugby World Cup 2027). Read about the best eSIMs for Australia.
- October 2 to November 21: ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia (ICC).
If you're travelling to one of these events, sort out mobile data before you fly. You'll need it for digital tickets, maps and meeting up with friends in busy crowds. These eSIMs cover Europe (Spain, Ireland, Scotland, Serbia and more) and Asia. The Travel Basic+ plan also gives you a French phone number with calls and SMS.
Shown: Europe with a phone number, Europe data-only and Asia data-only. Going somewhere else? See all Europe eSIMs, Asia eSIMs or every destination.
Travel tips for big event trips
Book early, and look beyond the host city
Hotels near big events fill up fast and prices go up. Book as soon as you have tickets, and look at nearby towns with a good train or bus link. You often get more choice and fewer crowds.
Check entry rules before you go
Many visitors now need a travel authorisation before they fly. For example, many visitors to the UK, including fans heading to the 2027 Tour de France start in Edinburgh, now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or a visa. Irish and British citizens don't. Check the rules for your passport well before your trip.
Get mobile data sorted before you land
Install a travel eSIM before you leave, so you're online as soon as you land. You can keep your home SIM on your phone for calls and texts, like bank security codes, and use the eSIM for data. Here's how to set up and manage dual eSIM.
Keep tickets and documents on your phone, with a backup
- Add event tickets and boarding passes to your phone's wallet app when the organiser offers it.
- Save copies of your passport, visa or travel authorisation and bookings in a secure cloud account, so you can reach them if you lose your phone.
- Carry a power bank. Event days are long, and filming and maps drain your battery fast.
FAQ
What were the most important events of 2026?
The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics (February 6 to 22), the FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico (June 11 to July 19), the 250th anniversary of US independence (July 4), the Artemis II flight around the Moon (April) and the total solar eclipse over Spain (August 12).
What big events are left in 2026?
The COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye (November 9 to 20) and the last Formula 1 races of the season, ending in Abu Dhabi on December 6.
Who won the 2026 World Cup?
Spain. They beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final on July 19, 2026, at New York New Jersey Stadium.
When is the next World Cup?
The next FIFA Women's World Cup is in Brazil from June 24 to July 25, 2027. The next men's World Cup is in 2030, hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain, with three opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay (FIFA World Cup 2030).
Is there a solar eclipse in 2027?
Yes. On August 2, 2027, a total solar eclipse will be visible from southern Spain, North Africa and Saudi Arabia, with more than 6 minutes of totality in some places.
Do I need a phone number abroad, or is data enough?
For most event trips, data is enough: tickets, maps, rideshare apps and messaging all run on data. A plan with a local number helps if you need to call hotels, tour guides or restaurants. Our guide to the best eSIMs for Spain explains the options if you're heading there for the eclipse or the Camino.