What to watch in 2026

Fans of the top leagues and competitions in Europe have plenty to look forward to next year, with the schedule packed with a host of unmissable events.

It is a similar story across the rest of the globe, particularly given that the 2026 World Cup is set to be staged in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The impact will be felt across continents following FIFA’s decision to increase the number of participating teams to 48 for the prestigious tournament.

The World Cup will undoubtedly be the highlight of the year for many sports bettors, especially in lucrative gambling jurisdictions such as Australia.

The Aussies have never progressed beyond the round of 16 at the tournament, but plenty of bettors believe they are capable of rewriting the narrative.

Some online casino Australia operators have already had an uptick in new account requests as bettors strive to boost their bankroll for wagering on the World Cup.

With betting likely to be off the scale in football in 2026, we take a closer look at the upcoming calendar and the standout events to watch.

Top football events in 2026

January

• January 20/21: 2025/26 Champions League Matchday 7
• January 22: 2025/26 Europa League Matchday 7
• January 28 2025/26 Champions League Matchday 8
• January 29: 2025/26 Europa League Matchday 8

February

• February 17/18: 2025/26 Champions League knockout phase play-off first legs
• February 19: 2025/26 Europa League knockout phase play-off first legs
• February 19: 2025/26 Europa Conference League knockout phase play-off first legs
• February 24/25: 2025/26 Champions League knockout phase play-off second legs
• February 26: 2025/26 Europa League knockout phase play-off second legs
• February 26: 2025/26 Europa Conference League knockout phase play-off second legs

March

• March 10/11: 2025/26 Champions League round of 16 first legs
• March 12 2025/26 Europa League round of 16 first legs
• March 12: 2025/26 Europa Conference League round of 16 first legs
• March 17/18: 2025/26 Champions League round of 16 second legs
• March 19: 2025/26 Europa League round of 16 second legs
• March 19: 2025/26 Europa Conference League round of 16 second legs
• March 22: 2025/26 English League Cup final
• March 26: 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers play-off semi-finals
• March 31: 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers play-off finals

April

• April 7/8: 2025/26 Champions League quarter-final first legs
• April 9: 2025/26 Europa League quarter-final first legs
• April 9: 2025/26 Europa Conference League quarter-final first legs
• April 14/15: 2025/26 Champions League quarter-final second legs
• April 16: 2025/26 Europa League quarter-final second legs
• April 16: 2025/26 Europa Conference League quarter-final second legs
• April 28/29: 2025/26 Champions League semi-final first legs
• April 30: 2025/26 Europa League semi-final first legs
• April 30: 2025/26 Europa Conference League semi-final first legs

May

• May 5/6: 2025/26 Champions League semi-final second legs
• May 7: 2025/26 Europa League semi-final second legs
• May 7: 2025/26 Conference League semi-final second legs
• May 17: 2025/26 FA Cup final
• May 20: 2025/26 Europa League final
• May 23-25: 2025/26 English Football League play-off finals
• May 24: Final day of the 2025/26 Premier League season
• May 27: 2025/26 Europa Conference League final
• May 30: 2025/26 Champions League final

June/July

• June 11 – July 19: 2026 World Cup

August

• August 22: Start of the 2026/27 Premier League season

September

• September 8/10: 2026/27 Champions League Matchday 1
• September 16/17: 2026/27 Europa League Matchday 1

October

• October 13/14: 2026/27 Champions League Matchday 2
• October 15: 2026/27 Europa League Matchday 2
• October 15: 2026/27 Europa Conference League Matchday 1
• October 20/21: 2026/27 Champions League Matchday 3
• October 22: 2026/27 Europa League Matchday 3
• October 22: 2026/27 Europa Conference League Matchday 2

November

• November 3/4: 2026/27 Champions League Matchday 4
• November 5: 2026/27: Europa League Matchday 4
• November 5: 2026/27 Europa Conference League Matchday 3
• November 24/25: 2026/27 Champions League Matchday 5
• November 26: 2026/27 Europa League Matchday 5
• November 26: 2026/27 Europa Conference League Matchday 4

December

• December 8/9: 2026/27 Champions League Matchday 6
• December 10: 2026/27 Europa League Matchday 6
• December 10: 2026/27 Europa Conference League Matchday 5
• December 17: 2026/27 Conference League Matchday 6

The 2026 World Cup in North America is the headline act of what promises to be a stellar year for professional football across the globe.

The extended tournament will allow more small nations to participate, thus boosting the profile of the sport in those countries.

New Zealand is amongst the nations which has benefited having secured the automatic qualification spot in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC).

Their involvement in the tournament will trigger a wave of activity in the betting industry, with Kiwi punters likely to wager on them progressing to the knockout stage.

Reputable online casino NZ websites will benefit from the increased interest in wagering as local punters explore other verticals alongside sports betting platforms.

It will likely be a similar story elsewhere in the world, as countries which have not previously made their mark in the World Cup get the chance to rub shoulders with elite nations.

Spain and France are among the bookmakers’ favourites to lift the trophy, but reigning champions Argentina could be the team to beat in Lionel Messi’s final international tournament.

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