Sports trips around the world to take in 2026

The World Cup and Winter Olympics will play an outsize role in defining the year in sports in 2026. But those massive events aren’t the only way for fans to experience the heart-pounding thrills and sense of community that only live sports can deliver.

While some trips live permanently on sport’s fans bucket lists — the Kentucky Derby, Lambeau Field or the Masters spring to mind — here instead is a collection of sports trips that will be especially meaningful in 2026. Some of these skew toward the quirkier side, and a couple are blatant reaches (January wish lists are where our most delirious aspirations belong, after all). But hopefully all spark a little wanderlust.

Take note, the Winter Olympics aren’t included here because suggesting travelers rustle up a trip to Italy on one-month notice felt frivolous. But if you have the means, go! Just remember to hydrate and caffeinate.

An Oklahoma City Thunder game

The Oklahoma City Thunder have come a long way since local businessmen uprooted the Seattle SuperSonics and plopped an NBA team in the middle of a dusty pioneer town with big-city ambitions. But opposites attract, and the happy marriage between glitzy pro basketball and unpretentious Oklahoma City produced an NBA championship last season and a fervent — and unexpected — fan base that packs Paycom Center with one of the most engaged and energetic crowds in the NBA.

Led by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the defending champs have a strong chance this year to become just the third team to reach 70 wins since 1967, when the league adopted an 82-game season.

And eclectic Oklahoma City offers much beyond beautiful basketball: Creative types will find a funky art scene, food lovers have options galore and everyone should pay a visit to the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum, which honors the victims of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

If you happen to be in town during the NBA playoffs in late May and early June, the college softball World Series is always a fun time, too — the city will host Olympic softball during the 2028 Summer Games.

Travel tip/While you’re there: Steps from Paycom Center, the 70-acre Scissortail Park caters to all activity levels, including no-sweat types. Named after the state bird, the urban park fully opened in 2022 with woodlands and gardens teeming with native flora and fauna; pickleball and basketball courts; and a 3.7-acre lake dotted with canoes, kayaks and accessible watercraft. Activities change with the seasons: Options include roller skating, shopping at a night bazaar or farmers market, and cooling off at the sprayground. — Andrea Sachs

A World Baseball Classic knockout game in Miami

The World Baseball Classic was in its fifth iteration in 2023 before U.S.-born major leaguers started taking it seriously, after three-time American League MVP Mike Trout decided he was all in on the (mostly) triennial competition. His enthusiasm — and a World Series-like atmosphere during a thrilling final between the United States and Japan — had a lasting effect.

This year’s competition offers a chance to watch MLB’s best and brightest share a stage in Miami, which hosts the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship in March. The U.S. squad is expected to be captained by another three-time AL MVP, Aaron Judge, and studded with big names including Paul Skenes and Kyle Schwarber.

Randy Arozarena has said he’ll suit up for Mexico, Francisco Lindor has said he will play for Puerto Rico, and, of course, Shohei Ohtani is back to try for Samurai Japan’s second straight WBC championship.

Travel tip/While you’re there: Explore the sights, sounds and tastes of Little Havana with a stroll up Calle Ocho. Stop at Domino Park to take in lively rounds of the tabletop game. Sample only-in-Miami flavors such as Burn in Hell Fidel at Azucar Ice Cream Company and enjoy a guava sangria and live jazz next door at Ball & Chain. Refuel with café con leche at a walk-up coffee window called a ventanita; if you hit the most famous, at Versailles, stay for a Cuban sandwich. — Hannah Sampson

Toronto’s WNBA and World Cup debuts

Sprawling Toronto is always a fabulous destination for travelers looking for big-city energy, with its kaleidoscope of multicultural neighborhoods, great vintage shopping and food that echoes its diversity. But it’s an especially good visit for sports fans in 2026, especially in the warmer months.

The Toronto Tempo, one of two WNBA expansion teams debuting this year, starts its inaugural season in May at Coca-Cola Coliseum, where the city’s Professional Women’s Hockey League team already regularly sells out games. Over in MLB, the Blue Jays’ championship window remains firmly open after they narrowly lost the World Series to the Dodgers last year.

Toronto will also host the first World Cup game on Canadian soil — featuring Canada against a to-be-decided European playoff winner — with the first of five group stage games on June 12 at BMO Field.

Travel tip/While you’re there: The ferries to Toronto Islands, a group of Lake Ontario islets also known as Toronto Island Park, reawaken in spring. Starting in mid-April, the boats depart from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, walking distance from Scotiabank Arena, and deposit passengers at Centre Island and Hanlan’s Point. (Service to Ward’s Island is year-round.) The car-free spits of land are linked by bridges and walkways, so you can easily take in the sweep of attractions, such as four beaches, one of which is clothing-optional; the Sakura cherry trees south of William Meany Maze, a hedge labyrinth with 1,200 black cedars; and Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, the second-oldest surviving lighthouse in Canada. — Andrea Sachs

The Austrian Grand Prix

Tucked into the Styrian countryside, the Austrian Grand Prix is one of the more affordable races on the Formula 1 circuit and offers a simple, modern track that boasts quick corners, plenty of opportunity for good racing and above all, stunning views — both of the track itself, because of how short it is, and the breathtaking Alps that surround it.

Adventurers looking to take advantage of the hilly, forested region’s hiking and cycling can opt to stay at the campgrounds circling the Red Bull Ring. Another option is to make a day trip from either Graz, Austria’s second largest city known for its culinary scene, wine and bustling street life, or Vienna, which is about two hours away by car and connected via public transportation.

Travel tip/While you’re there: To really recreate like the Austrians, make time for a "hüttenrunde" (or hut-to-hut hike). There are hundreds of routes ranging in difficulty and duration and more than a thousand hütten to spend the night in nature. To explore your options, visit the Austrian Alpine Club website. — Natalie Compton

A women’s sports weekend in Portland, Oregon

Portland on its own is worth a visit. The City of Roses is quirky, crunchy, a foodie’s dream — and a destination for pro soccer and basketball fans. The NWSL’s Portland Thorns boast one of the top atmospheres in the league, thanks to a proud soccer fandom and the franchise’s commitment to inclusivity. The Thorns call their Pride Night one of the "most cherished" dates on their calendar; in June, their Pride Night game drew what at the time was a record-breaking crowd. The Portland Fire, one of the WNBA’s two expansion teams debuting this year, will play at Moda Center, home of the NBA’s Trail Blazers. While you’re there, don’t miss the Sports Bra, which calls itself the nation’s first sports bar dedicated 100% to women’s sports.

A new, seasonal shuttle that began running in 2025 and connects the city with the Oregon coast makes a visit to Portland an even more tantalizing option for those who like to combine urban and outdoor adventure in one trip — especially if you travel during the warmer months (the shuttle runs May through August).

Travel tip/While you’re there: After hitting the Portland trifecta of Powell’s City of Books, Stumptown Coffee Roasters and Blue Star Donuts, head into Washington Park for a healthy dose of Pacific Northwest nature. The International Rose Test Garden boasts more than 600 varieties of the fragrant flower, while Hoyt Arboretum offers 12 miles of hiking trails. Venture north into Forest Park for one of the country’s biggest urban forests. — Hannah Sampson

A World Cup group stage game in Mexico City

Mexico City’s iconic Azteca Stadium has played host to history before — it’s where Pelé won his final World Cup in 1970 and where Diego Maradona won in 1986 with Argentina. Latin America’s largest stadium is getting an upgrade before June 11, when it becomes the first venue in history to host a Third World Cup opening match, and while attending a match at the 60-year-old venue would be special, it isn’t necessary to make this trip worth it.

Few places stand up to what Mexico City has to offer as one of the largest, most vibrant, urban centers in the world: It thrums with life, creativity, rich history and exceptional food. Soccer is part of this magical city’s heartbeat — taking in a game at a bar or celebrating a win for El Tri with locals would be priceless.

Travel tip/While you’re there: Mexico City is one of the best places on Earth for food lovers. But you can miss a lot without the help of an expert. To get a lay of the land, book a food tour with Club Tengo Hambre, a company founded by a James Beard award-winning writer that bills itself as offering "excursions for people who travel to eat." You’ll have more context — and be better equipped to navigate street food on your own — after spending a day with one of its passionate guides. — Natalie Compton

The World Cup July 4 game in Philadelphia

One of the best sports cities in the country is shifting into overdrive for the United States’ semiquincentennial — or 250th birthday — by playing host to showcase events throughout the year starting in January, when the Miami-based women’s three-on-three basketball league Unrivaled hits the road for the first time to play two back-to-back games on Jan. 30 at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Philly is also a March Madness site and host to the MLB All-Star Game on July 14; the PGA Championship will take place just outside the city in May.

But the World Cup Round of 16 match on July 4 at Lincoln Financial Field might be the most exciting of the bunch. The game will also be broadcast on big screens at a free fan festival in East Fairmount Park.

Travel tip/While you’re there: Pay homage to a Founding Father by meandering down Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The roughly mile-long thoroughfare is dotted with museums, memorials, parks and other landmarks, including the red "LOVE" and "AMOR" sculptures. Stop by the science-focused Franklin Institute and the recently opened Calder Gardens before wrapping up at the Philadelphia Art Museum, where an exhibition opening in April showcases three centuries of American art. — Hannah Sampson

Wimbledon

There is a reason Wimbledon is the tournament that most professional tennis players dream of winning above all else. It is the sport’s competitive pinnacle, but the quiet beauty of the All England Club also communicates thoughtful consideration, painstaking attention to detail and a commitment to tradition — in the lush verbena and hydrangeas that line every walkway and the green-and-gold manual draw board and order-of-play displays throughout the grounds.

That all comes at a steep cost, but it isn’t necessary to purchase the wildly expensive and difficult-to-acquire tickets online ahead of time. Queuing for more reasonably priced, day-of tickets is straightforward (and it isn’t required to camp out overnight, as some fans do every year), and access to the intimate outer courts is still well worth the trip.

There are two good reasons to make the sojourn in 2026: For any fan who wants to see the last of the "Big Three" standing, Novak Djokovic, it would be wise not to dally, and London has one of the best soccer cultures in the world. The city will be pulsing with energy during the World Cup.

Travel tip/While you’re there: During last year’s tournament, London was hit with a record heat wave. If Wimbledon 2026 is another scorcher, book a dip at one of the city’s beloved swimming ponds at Hampstead Heath park. These aren’t your typical public pools. They’re ... ponds. Which means: "Yes, it’s chilly, muddy, and there are ducks," one Heath enthusiast’s website says. There is one for women only, one for men, and one for mixed-gender use. Buying tickets in advance is recommended and can be made on Eventbrite. — Natalie Compton

LSU at Ole Miss

College football provocateur Lane Kiffin, orchestrated one of the sport’s signature moments of the decade when he left the Mississippi team he’d guided from an SEC afterthought to national title contender to take the head coaching job at rival LSU — in the middle of Ole Miss’s national title hunt. Spurned fans lined the tarmac in November to heckle Kiffin as he boarded the plane for Baton Rouge with little by way of explanation other than, "It was just something that I prayed on."

Kiffin’s higher power must have a sense of humor — he and the LSU Tigers will return to play at Ole Miss on Sept. 19. Mississippi already has a famed tailgating scene that unfolds on a 10-acre grassy plot in the heart of campus known as the Grove. For any die-hard college football fan looking to check another school off the bucket list, this is the year to visit Oxford, Mississippi.

Travel tip/While you’re there: Known as the "literary center of the South," Oxford was the longtime home of William Faulkner, who spent more than three decades at his residence, Rowan Oak. Visitors can peek at the acclaimed writer’s domestic life before strolling Bailey Woods Trail to the University of Mississippi Museum, a repository of American fine art and Southern folk art. Faulkner is buried in Oxford Memorial Cemetery, about a half-mile from Square Books, an independent bookseller that stocks many Oxford-affiliated authors, including John Grisham, Larry Brown, Barry Hannah and Donna Tartt. — Andrea Sachs

Big wave surfing in Nazaré, Portugal

When it comes to live sports experiences, it’s difficult to compete with the surfing haven that is Nazaré, Portugal. This old-world fishing village has become akin to a sacred pilgrimage for extreme surfers with their hearts set on conquering waves as tall as a 10-story building — and for spectators seeking the chance to be close enough to the water to feel their bones rattle when the waves break.

It plays host to the annual Nazaré Big Wave Challenge, where the enormity of the swell, and the humbling that comes from staring up at 100-foot walls of water, doesn’t translate on screen — though the HBO docuseries "100 Foot Wave" is a great place to start.

Because big wave surfing is dependent on the forecast, the competition window for the challenge lasts roughly from October to March. World Surf League organizers will give surfers a few days of advance notice to get to Portugal, and then when a "Green Alert" is issued, the one-day competition is on. Travelers looking to experience the waves will do well to head to Nazaré at any time during that window.

Travel tip/While you’re there: The Monastery of Santa Maria d’Alcobaça, a UNESCO World Heritage site about 10 miles from Nazaré, will cause fans of Gothic architecture — and tragic romances — to swoon. Established by Portugal’s first king in the mid-1100s, the monastery exhibits some of the world’s finest examples of Cistercian art, design and innovation. Visitors can gawk at the Cloister of Silence, the refectory where the monks ate and their dormitory. After King Afonso IV ordered the murder of his son’s lover, Inês de Castro, the heartbroken Pedro built ornate tombs for the two of them. — Andrea Sachs

A Bills rivalry game

The NFL is going places in 2026, staging games in Australia’s Melbourne and in Rio de Janeiro for the first time as it expands its international footprint. But there’s no long-haul flight required for one of the signature fan experiences in the league.

Buffalo Bills fans are known as the "Bills Mafia" as a nod to the tight-knit nature of the fandom; their community was forged in long, harsh winters, and their legendary tailgates are equal parts rowdy and neighborly. In 2026, the Bills are set to open a new, state-of-the-art Highmark Stadium adjacent to their current home with enhancements meant to better protect fans from the elements while preserving the authentic spirit of the place. There will be no roof, but the concourse will be enclosed and an overhang with heaters on the underside will protect some of the 62,000 seats.

There’s no better time to check out the new digs than with a rivalry game: Buffalo is due to host the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026. If the NFL is smart, it will schedule the game later in the year when Patrick Mahomes has a better chance of being back on the field after tearing his ACL last month, in the latest installment of his quarterback duel with beloved Bills passer Josh Allen.

Travel tip/While you’re there: The chicken wing snack synonymous with Sunday football originated in Buffalo. In 1964, Anchor Bar owner Teressa Bellissimo turned a poultry part bound for a soup pot into a celebrated appetizer. More than 50 years later, the city that holds the Guinness World Record for the largest chicken wing-eating competition (set on Dec. 20) unveiled the Buffalo Wing Trail. The 14 establishments in the Greater Buffalo area are organized by style (hot, classic, saucy and unusual) and include Cole’s, where diners can combine five wings with another regional staple, roast beef on a kummelweck bun — or "beef on weck" in the local tongue. — Andrea Sachs