2026 is shaping up to be a heavyweight year for global sport, with an outstanding lineup of events sure to capture huge UK audiences – from the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, to the expanded FIFA World Cup, annual Six Nations and of course traditional fixtures like the Grand National and The Open.
These events are chosen not just for their prestige but for their proven ability to draw large TV viewership, generate social buzz, and deliver major travel and tourism interest among UK fans. For many, the appeal is as much about experiencing the spectacle live as it is about watching from home.
Below are key details for each, including how much it might cost a UK-based fan to travel and attend, so you can get 2026 sporting event dates in your diary and plan ahead.
Winter Olympics (6-22 February 2026)
Where: Milan & Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Highlights & what’s new:
- 116 medal events across 16 disciplines, including new events such as ski mountaineering.
- Opening ceremony at San Siro (Milan), closing at Arena di Verona.
Past & audience data: 25th edition; GB sending a modest team; winter sports get good niche interest in UK, especially figure skating, skeleton etc.
Where to watch: Free-to-air via BBC and iPlayer.
Approximate travel cost from UK:
- Flights round-trip from London to Milan are currently available from around £100-£180 economy if booked in advance.
- Add hotel + local transport + some meals/worst case for a 4-5 day stay, you might budget £400-£700
Event information: @WinterOlympics 2026
Winter Paralympics (6-15 March 2026)
Where: Milan & Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Highlights & what’s new: Approximately 79 events, 6 sports; new mixed doubles in wheelchair curling.
Where to watch: Free to air via Channel 4.
Approximate travel cost from UK:
- Same flight route as above (UK → Milan), so round-trip flights ~ £100-£200 likely if booked early.
- Total trip (hotel, transport, etc.) for multiple days might be £350-£650, depending how many days attending, standard of hotel etc.
Event information: @Paralympic Winter Games
Men’s Six Nations (5 Feb – 14 Mar 2026)
Where: Matches across home nations (UK/Ireland) plus France & Italy.
Highlights: Classic rivalries; England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland have big fan-bases; new rights deal in UK: BBC + ITV share.
Where to watch: ITV and the BBC will share the broadcasting.
Approximate travel cost from UK:
- For UK home matches, cost is minimal: train or short domestic flight + local hotel: £50-£250 depending on distance and accommodation.
- For away matches in France or Italy, return flights might be £150-£350, plus hotel etc — total trip cost perhaps £300-£600 for a match weekend.
Event information: @Six Nations 2026
Super Bowl Final (8 February 2026)
Where: Hosted in the USA (city to be confirmed).
Highlights: American Football’s biggest game with major entertainment; halftime show, etc.; huge global viewership.
Where to watch: Usually Sky Sports depending on rights; early morning live broadcast; often big interest via highlights.
Approximate travel cost from UK:
- Flights to the US in advance might be £400-£700+ economy depending on the city and when booked. Using recent fare data: London → some US destinations round-trip economy can start from ~£345
- Including hotel + transport etc, a multi-night stay for the Super Bowl might push the cost up to £1,500-£2,500 (or more) for a full experience if you attend in person.
Event information: Super Bowl Sunday 2026
Grand National (11 April 2026)
Where: Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England.
Highlights: Major steeplechase, very large field, iconic fences; huge betting interest.
Where to watch: Free-to-air (usually ITV + highlights).
Approximate travel cost from UK:
- For someone travelling from, say, London or other regions: train or car + 1-2 nights hotel; perhaps £100-£300 depending on distance and standard.
- If coming from farther away in UK (Scotland etc.), add in more for travel / lodging.
Event information: @Paralympic Winter Games
Fifa World Cup (11 June – 19 July 2026)
Where: Jointly hosted by Canada, USA, Mexico (multiple cities).
What’s new: 48 teams, 104 matches; expanded tournament.
Where to watch: BBC + ITV sharing live rights; free-to-air + streaming.
Approximate travel cost from UK:
- Round-trip flights to North America (USA / Canada) in summer often run £400-£800+ for economy depending on city / advance booking. Skyscanner etc show some UK→USA return fares from ~£345–£400 in non-peak times.
- Hotel + transport + match tickets etc will greatly increase cost; for a week or two following some games, budget could be £3,000-£5,000+ depending how many matches you attend / how you travel.
Event information: Fifa World Cup
Tour de France (4 July – 26 July 2026)
Where: France (route to be confirmed).
Highlights: Mountain stages, time trials, iconic climbs; huge scenic and international interest.
Where to watch: 2025 was the last year of free-to-air coverage in the UK. In 2026 it could be available with TNT sports. Where to watch exactly is not clear.
Approximate travel cost from UK:
- For a week or more, flights &/or train (if near route) + hotel: £300-£700 depending on which stage(s) you attend, how remote, standard of lodging.
- If going to the Alps for mountain stages, cost tends toward the higher end due to location and lodging.
Event information: @Tour de France
The Open Championship (154th) (12-19 July 2026)
Where: Royal Birkdale, Southport
Highlights: Links golf, unpredictable weather, major field; big prestige.
Where to watch: Sky Sports.
Approximate travel cost from UK:
- Domestic travel: flights if needed (e.g. from Northern Ireland / Scotland to venue) or train + hotel for few nights; maybe £200-£500 depending on distance & hotel standard.
- If staying multiple nights to watch several rounds, add in meals etc: total might be nearer £600 in some cases.
Event Information: The Open Championship 2026
Commonwealth Games (23 July – 2 August 2026)
Where: Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
Highlights: Approximately 10 sports, including six para sports; ~3,000 athletes; using many existing 2014 venues.
Where to watch: TBC, typically BBC.
Approximate travel cost from UK:
- If coming from England / Wales: train or domestic flight + hotel for a few nights; probably £300-£800 depending on how far you travel and type of accommodation.
- If staying the full duration, or coming from overseas, costs will rise accordingly.
Rugby League World Cup (October / November 2026, TBC)
Highlights: Delayed as France declined to host the event. Details are still to be confirmed.
Where to watch: TBC, typically Sky Sports.
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Travelling to sporting events tips
Attending one of these landmark events in person is a bucket-list experience, but a little planning goes a long way:
- Book early: Flights and hotels spike around major sports events. Lock in travel and accommodation as soon as possible, even a year out for the biggest tournaments like the World Cup or Olympics.
- Look beyond the obvious: Nearby cities or smaller towns often have cheaper hotels and good rail/coach links to venues. For example, staying outside Milan or Glasgow can cut costs significantly.
- Bundle tickets and travel: Official travel operators often offer packages (flights + accommodation + match tickets). While pricier upfront, they can simplify logistics and guarantee entry.
- Check local transport passes: Many host cities enhance public transport for events. Tourist travel cards or event shuttles can be more economical than taxis.
- Budget realistically: Factor in not just flights and hotels but also meals, local transfers, insurance, and — crucially — ticket prices, which can be substantial for finals or marquee matches.
- Travel light and smart: Stadium security often restricts bag sizes. A small daypack and clear knowledge of what you can (and can’t) bring saves time at the gates.
- Consider the time zones: For long-haul trips, build in an extra day to adjust. Jet lag can otherwise dull your big-match experience.
Get Sports Travel Insurance from SportsCover Direct
If you’re travelling abroad to experience one of these key sporting events; from the Winter Olympics in Milan or following England across North America for the World Cup — it’s important to think about travel insurance.
If you’re also involved in sports and activities, a sports travel insurance policy can provide that extra layer of reassurance, covering medical expenses, emergency evacuations and cancellations. Having the right cover means you can enjoy the action, soak up the atmosphere and focus on the sport you love without the worry of unforeseen setbacks.
SportsCover Direct’s sports travel insurance has two policy options to suit your needs. Our sports travel insurance offers cover for over 500 sports while overseas, whether for leisure or competition. It includes medical and repatriation costs, cancelled and curtailed trips, and more. If you have an existing policy with another provider that doesn’t cover your chosen sport, you can opt for our sports travel insurance bolt-on policy.
Read all about it and get a quote online.
This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation.
