5 bucket list sporting events in 2026 and how to get tickets
Dylan Reffe- Two quadrennial events take place in 2026, and tickets are still available.
- Other bucket list items for sports fans include epic annual events at the pinnacle of their sport.
Sports is the best reality TV show on the planet. If you're looking for live drama in 2026, you've come to the right place.
Any sporting event has the potential to turn into a once-in-a-lifetime event if you're lucky. That said, not even all sporting events are created equal.
While there are some annual games that always entertain, championship series like the World Series, NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals are more team-dependent and slightly less of a spectacle.
Below are five sporting events that would be on any fan's bucket list, including the most popular event in the world coming to the U.S. for just the second time in its storied history.
2026 FIFA World Cup tickets
Of all the exciting sporting events in 2026, there is pretty clearly one to rule them all. The most popular event in the entire world comes to North America for just the second time as the U.S., Canada and Mexico all host the 2026 World Cup.
Tickets are expensive for this once-in-a-lifetime event, but this is clearly the definition of a bucket list event. The tournament will be played in 16 different cities across North America, including 11 U.S. cities.
There are 48 teams in the newly-expanded tournament, and more than 100 games to be played throughout the event. The USMNT begin their tournament in Los Angeles on Friday, June 12 against Paraguay.
If you're truly looking for the biggest event of the year, the World Cup Final will be played at MetLife Stadium outside of New York City on Sunday, July 19.
Shop 2026 World Cup tickets2026 Winter Olympics tickets
The second bucket-list sporting event in 2026 is also something that only comes along every four years, though admittedly this sporting event would require a bit more planning and travel as you'd have to...book a flight to Italy!
The 25th Winter Olympic Games take place in Milan and Cortina from Feb. 6-22, and like the World Cup there are a plethora of events from which to choose, 235 in fact! You could head to the mountain for some skiing or snowboarding action, hit the rink for figure skating or ice hockey, or even find the track for racing events like skeleton and luge.
However, if we have to recommend one ticket, it would be the Opening Ceremonies on Friday, Feb. 6. Tickets start at just $431, which are a bargain compared to most of the bucket-list events in 2026.
Shop 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony tickets2026 Super Bowl
Sticking with the cold month of February, Super Bowl LX takes place in sunny Santa Clara, Calif. on Sunday, Feb. 8. This is the one event on the list that might vary based on the teams involved, but given this season of NFL action the Lombardi trophy is truly up for grabs. Heading into the last week of the regular season, 11 teams have better than 17:1 odds to win the Super Bowl, which is shaping up to be an all-time event.
The Super Bowl is often filled with the pomp and circumstance that comes with a heavily attended celebrity event, and while you're sure to miss some of the commercials, you will be at what is often the most watched sporting event of the entire year.
Super Bowl tickets are never cheap, and this year in San Francisco for Super Bowl LX is no exception. Tickets start at $6,525 and work their way up to more than $70,000 for tickets with VIP access.
Shop Super Bowl LX tickets2026 Kentucky Derby
Yes, the Kentucky Derby is both mint juleps and funny hats, but it's also the start of the Triple Crown and a symbol of the eternal hope that comes with spring. This is the most sophisticated sports party on the planet, and while it happens every year, that in no way diminishes the importance of the event.
Follow along all off-season as Louisville prepares to host another running of the fastest two minutes in sports.
Shop 2026 Kentucky Derby ticketsF1 races in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas
One of the biggest spectacles in the world has become significantly more popular in the U.S. over the past few years.
In 2026, F1 will hit three U.S. different cities including Miami in May, Austin in October and Las Vegas in November.
There are weekend passes available to be a part of all the action, or you can buy a ticket just for race day. Get ready for an atmosphere (and a noise) like nothing you've ever heard before.
Shop 2026 U.S. F1 ticketsOur team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the Paste BN Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.