Upcoming Sporting Events
The 2026 sporting events calendar makes travel part of the game. From the FIFA World Cup to chic tennis and golf world series, there are plenty of excuses to plan a trip around the upcoming sporting events this year. 🏆
At Flytographer, we easily connect people with trusted photographers for fun photo shoots and have captured over six million memories worldwide. The magic of Flytographer is both the experience and the photos. Explore the city with a fun, talented photographer and get wall-worthy photos to relive your trip, forever. Today, we asked our local photographers to help us craft a guide on the top 11 destinations to visit for upcoming sporting events.
In 2026, the host cities below are half the win. 😉
Jump To:
- Watch world-class tennis or chase the roar of engines through Melbourne, Australia
- Soak up the charm and excitement of winter games in Milan, Italy
- Catch the Super Bowl spectacle in San Francisco, California
- Pair Formula 1 with cherry blossoms in Kyoto, Japan
- Experience golf’s most exclusive week from Savannah, Georgia
- Join the madness of college basketball in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Feel Formula 1’s festival energy in Miami, Florida
- Watch clay-court tennis at its most elegant in Paris, France
- Step into tennis tradition at Wimbledon in London, England
- Make the World Cup part of a historic stay in Boston, Massachusetts
- Close out summer with Grand Slam tennis in New York City, New York
Photo: Flytographer in Melbourne. Ellyana captures memories in Melbourne with a solo adventure photoshoot.
1. Melbourne, Australia
The land down under is trending hard for 2026 travel, and Melbourne is hosting two major sporting events early in the year. 🇦🇺
Australian Open (January – February 2026)
The Australian Open is often dubbed the “Happy Slam” thanks to its uniquely upbeat atmosphere. Players arrive fresh and at their best, while visitors get to enjoy the city’s unmatched cultural landscape and a wealth of hip, design-led boutiques and vintage shopping.
Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix (March 2026)
The Australian Grand Prix opens the Formula 1 World Championship at Melbourne’s Albert Park, a lakeside circuit minutes from the city centre. 🏎️ The city fills with the roar of engines and burning rubber. You really couldn’t ask for a more exhilarating soundtrack for strategic laneway coffee breaks.
Fly tip: An Australia-bound long-haul flight deserves to be stretched with extra stops in Sydney and the Outback, or even by popping over to New Zealand for dramatic landscapes and deeply inspiring Māori culture. 👌
Photo: Rina in Melbourne for Flytographer. Kevin and partner capture memories in Melbourne with a couples photoshoot.
2. Milan, Italy
The Winter Olympics (February 2026)
Winter Paralympics (March 2026)
One of the biggest sporting events of the year is the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. ❄️ Split between Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, this edition is distinctly Italian, blending skiing with fashion, food, and design. Cortina, set in the Dolomite Mountains, delivers alpine glamour paired with village life and dreamlike alpine hotels, all framed by some of Italy’s most striking scenery.
Fly tip: Scenic train rides through Northern Italy make it easy to add visits to Lake Como for its lakeside villas or Venice for its canals, with both buzzing with the dynamism that only a major sporting event brings.
Photo: Alice in Milan for Flytographer. Jennifer and partner capture memories in Milan with a couples photoshoot.
3. San Francisco, California
The Super Bowl (February 8, 2026) — Santa Clara, CA
One of the most pop-culture-heavy moments on the sporting events calendar lands in the Bay Area this year: the Super Bowl 60, played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, home of the San Francisco 49ers. The Super Bowl is the NFL’s World Championship game, and as always, music plays an outsized role in the spectacle. This year’s halftime show features Bad Bunny.
A short drive from the stadium, San Francisco makes a strong base, with its icons doing much of the heavy lifting. The Golden Gate Bridge, rows of Victorian Painted Ladies, and classic cable cars all contribute to that cinematic backdrop we know so well — one that’s always more inspiring in person. 🥰
Photo: Joseph in San Francisco for Flytographer. Jennifer and partner capture memories in Milan with a couples photoshoot.
4. Kyoto, Japan
Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix (Late March 2026) – Suzuka
At the Japanese Grand Prix, the crowd sets the tone: respectful, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic without tipping into rowdy territory. What else could you expect in Japan? At the heart of it all is the Suzuka Circuit, celebrated for being fast and visually striking. 🏁
Basing yourself in nearby Kyoto lets you balance race action with refined tea houses, Buddhist and Shinto shrines, and picturesque torii gates. There’s more: cherry blossoms are often forecast for around the same dates. 🌸
Fly tip: From Kyoto, you can take the Shinkansen to Nagoya, then continue to Suzuka on local train lines. By the same logic, extending your trip elsewhere in Japan is easy, whether that means Osaka, Tokyo, or journeys into the Japanese Alps.
Photo: Coo & Yurika in Kyoto for Flytographer. Cody and partner capture memories in Japan with a couples photoshoot.
5. Savannah, Georgia
The Masters Tournament (April 2026) – Augusta, Georgia, USA
In the world of golf, while the PGA Championship rotates among different U.S. courses, the Masters Tournament is always played in Augusta. The experience is closer to a pilgrimage than a typical sporting trip, with a sense of country-club luxury woven into it. After all, this ranks among the world’s most exclusive sporting events. ⛳
Staying nearby in Atlanta or Savannah — both about a 2.5-hour drive — is a great idea. Savannah, in particular, makes an excellent base, adding allure with its old-world charm and leafy parks and squares. Here’s an idea: treat yourself to a luxury rental steeped in timeless elegance or enjoy world-famed Southern hospitality in a traditional Georgian-style mansion. 🏡
Fly tip: For those drawn to equestrian competition, the Kentucky Derby in Louisville is horse racing at its best, wrapped in style and tradition, very much mirroring the Masters’ atmosphere.
Photo: Flytographer in Savannah. Brooke and partner capture memories in Savannah with a couples photoshoot.
6. Indianapolis, Indiana
NCAA March Madness / Men’s Final Four (April 2026)
April in Indianapolis is all about NCAA March Madness and the Men’s Basketball Final Four. The vibe is electric because of the playoff-style, win-or-go-home matchups. It’s also prime territory for NBA fans tracking future stars. 🏀
Indianapolis offers plenty beyond the basketball tournament, pairing games with long weekends of busy bars and city exploration. You can explore the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, kayak the Central Canal, or visit the Madam Walker Legacy Centre, which honours America’s first self-made female millionaire and the city’s role in Black entrepreneurship. 👸🏾✨
Fly tip: The NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship lands in Phoenix this year, packing Final Four spark on its own terms, while Oklahoma City hosts the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships, another fan favourite on the women’s sports calendar.
7. Miami, Florida
Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix (May 2026)
Set around Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, the Miami Grand Prix unfolds close to the crowd, with plenty of grandstand angles that deliver genuine on-track action. Arrive early or linger between sessions, and there’s a real chance of spotting drivers and team personnel weaving through the complex. 😍
In Miami, F1 feels closer to a festival than a traditional race weekend: Latin music pulsing through the grandstands, DJs and pop-up stages, and an unmistakable beach-club energy. More than a sporting event, it’s a social occasion. Outside the circuit, the full weekend experience naturally spills into Art Deco architecture, fantastic cuisine, rooftop bars, and a nightlife scene turned up a notch. 🪩
Fly tip: This year’s F1 calendar is stacked with major sporting events. The Bahrain Grand Prix lights up the desert, the Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most scenic circuits, not just in Belgium, but in the world, the Monaco Grand Prix brings street-circuit glamour in Monte Carlo, and the Hungarian Grand Prix keeps things fairly technical. 👍
Photo: Daniel in Miami for Flytographer. LaShonda and partner capture memories in Miami with a couples photoshoot.
8. Paris, France
French Open (May – June 2026)
The French Open, also known as Roland-Garros, is more classical than the US Open or Australian Open and feels deeply rooted in tradition. 🎾 This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, made even better by seeing the biggest names battle it out on clay.
The crowd is as stylish and cultured as it gets in sport, and with Paris in late spring at peak travel season, the tournament becomes as much about cafés, boutiques, museums, and evening strolls as it is about Centre Court action. Among the upcoming sporting events, this one strongly appeals to couples, particularly when paired with trips to Provence or the Riviera and romantic dining in the City of Light. Truth be told, with Paris as the backdrop, tennis is just one part of a refined, romantic European escape. 🇫🇷
Photo: Olga in Paris for Flytographer. Dana and family capture memories in Paris with a family photoshoot.
9. London, England
Wimbledon (June – July 2026)
Another staple on the tennis calendar with appeal for couples and luxury travelers is Wimbledon. You can think of it as stepping into a living, deeply English tradition: effortlessly chic, with all-white dress codes, immaculate grass courts, and a polished, country-club atmosphere. 🎩
Even though Wimbledon lands right in the middle of London’s summer peak, there’s still something unmistakably British about the experience. Strawberries and cream feel practically mandatory, as does gallery hopping, wandering historic streets, and taking in the best of London between matches. 🇬🇧
Fly tip: Want to play along with the look? You can’t go wrong with tailored summer suits, floral frocks, polka dots, and sharp dresses that feel straight out of a classic British garden party. 👗
Photo: Jimmy in London for Flytographer. Byron and partner capture memories in London with a couples photoshoot.
10. Boston, Massachusetts
FIFA World Cup 2026 (June – July 2026)
Everyone who’s attended a FIFA World Cup says it feels like the world gathering in one place. Unlike the UEFA Champions League Final, every match feels bigger because teams are playing for their country, not a club. This edition also marks the first time 48 national teams will qualify, up from 32 in Qatar. 😮
What better reason to plan an ambitious multi-city trip? Host cities include Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, the Bay Area, Seattle, Boston, Philadelphia, Houston, and Kansas City. With a list this big, regional travel is very much part of the appeal.
If you pick just one stop, make it Boston. The Greater Boston area will host seven matches in June and July, making it easy to pair football thrills with wandering brick lanes, soaking up American history, and taking in the modern skyline from a harbour cruise. 🚢
Fly tip: Demand will be especially high for North American hubs, particularly when paired with extensions to Mexico City, Guadalajara, or Monterrey. It’s also worth noting that the USA will stage the World Cup final, played at MetLife Stadium. ⚽ 🏟️
Photo: Flytographer in Boston. Jonathan and partner capture memories in Boston with a couples photoshoot.
11. New York City, New York
US Open (August – September 2026)
Late summer in New York City is hard to beat, and the US Open only adds liveliness. The city feels dialled up another notch, with events, pop-ups, and tennis buzz spilling across town. The event itself can be crowded, and the heat and humidity are very real, but it’s all absolutely worth it. You’re close to the action, star players feel within reach, and Fan Week is a major highlight, especially for first-timers. 😁
Beyond the courts, this is one of the most lifestyle-driven sporting events on the calendar, where fashion, celebrity sightings, dining, and culture all collide. How to make it even better? Choose standout New York hotels to elevate the experience, mix in some gallery hopping, and linger over superb meals. ⭐
Fly tip: For a classic add-on, tack on an escape to the Hamptons for relaxed beach days and that signature end-of-summer ease New Yorkers swear by.
Photo: Sehee in New York City for Flytographer. Jenna and partner capture memories in NYC with a couples photoshoot.
Capturing Memories at the Game
Honourable mentions for upcoming sporting events include MLB’s championship event, which drives sports travel to cities with strong baseball culture, and the Madrid Open, which places Spain firmly on the global tennis calendar. There’s also beach volleyball in New Orleans, more NFL action in Pittsburgh, and major surfing pipelines from Brazil to Hawaii worth keeping an eye on. 🏄
Wherever the game takes you, let Flytographer help you remember it beautifully. With local photographers in 350+ destinations, you’ll turn those moments into memories worth revisiting long after the final whistle. 💙
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