London’s sporting calendar is never short on spectacle, but 2026 is shaping up to be a blockbuster year even by the capital’s own lofty standards. From the hallowed lawns of Wimbledon to the deafening roar of Wembley on FA Cup Final day, and the thunderous collisions of Six Nations rugby at Twickenham, the city will play host to a packed program of world-class events.
Across football, tennis, rugby, athletics and more, London’s stadiums and streets are set to welcome millions of fans, as global superstars and local heroes alike chase trophies, titles, and timeless moments. Whether you’re planning a pilgrimage to SW19, a derby-day weekend, or a full-blown year of live sport, here are the major fixtures you’ll want on your 2026 calendar.
Key dates and must see fixtures on London’s 2026 sporting calendar
Circle your calendars now, because 2026 is shaping up to be a blockbuster year for London sport. The action kicks off early with the Six Nations bringing packed houses and pint-fuelled atmospheres to Twickenham through February and March, before attention swings to Wembley for the spring’s domestic showpieces: the Carabao Cup Final in late February, followed by the FA Cup semi-finals and final across April and May. Summer belongs to SW19, where the Wimbledon Championships will again dominate early July, slotting neatly around a bustling season of cricket at Lord’s and The Oval, including England Test matches that traditionally fall across June, July and August.
Beyond the headline tournaments, London’s diary is packed with fixtures that locals treat like unofficial bank holidays.Look out for:
- Early Spring: Premier League run-in drama in North London and West London; rugby’s Premiership finales at Twickenham Stoop and Twickenham Stadium.
- Late Spring: London Marathon weekend, with the capital turning into a 26.2-mile street party; European football nights if London clubs go deep in UEFA competitions.
- Summer: international athletics at the London Stadium, major boxing cards at the O2, and high-profile T20 cricket under lights.
- Autumn & Winter: NFL International Series games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium or Wembley, plus the traditional festive football fixtures on Boxing Day and New Year’s.
| Event | Typical Window | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Six Nations (England home games) | Feb-Mar 2026 | Twickenham Stadium |
| FA Cup Final | May 2026 | Wembley Stadium |
| Wimbledon | Early Jul 2026 | All England Club |
| London Marathon | Spring 2026 | Citywide |
| Major Test Match | Summer 2026 | Lord’s / The Oval |
How to secure tickets for Wimbledon FA Cup finals and Six Nations at Twickenham
Snapping up seats at London’s most in-demand fixtures takes equal parts patience, planning, and a touch of luck. For the All England Club, most Centre Court and No.1 Court seats are assigned via the famous public ballot and debenture holders, while a limited number of show-court and ground passes are released in staggered tranches online. Meanwhile, the road to Wembley runs through club allocations and Club Wembley memberships, with a small but fiercely contested general sale if allocations are not fully used. At Twickenham, priority invariably goes to RFU members, clubs, and hospitality clients, with public tickets appearing in phased drops and official resale channels closer to match day.
- Join official ballots (and avoid unofficial resellers)
- Register for presale access via clubs, governing bodies and sponsors
- Monitor verified resale platforms linked from official websites
- Consider hospitality packages for higher prices but greater certainty
- Plan midweek or less-hyped fixtures for better availability
| Event | Typical Release | Best Tactic |
|---|---|---|
| Wimbledon | Ballot & spring onsales | Enter ballot early; use official resale |
| FA Cup Final | After semi-finals | Membership with finalist clubs |
| Six Nations | Autumn prior to tournament | RFU/club priority schemes |
Insider tips on where to stay eat and celebrate near each major venue
Plant yourself near Wembley and you’re in prime position for FA Cup fever. For a sleepover with atmosphere baked in, aim for hotels along Wembley Way or in nearby Paddington, where fast trains zip you straight to the stadium. Food-wise, swap the predictable chains for smoky skewers at Boxpark Wembley, Gujarati small plates in Wembley Central, or a pint and pie in a proper local like a backstreet Harrow pub before you hit the turnstiles. For celebrations that run past the final whistle, head back into town: craft beer bars in Baker Street, late-night bites in Soho, or champagne at a West End hotel bar keep the party going long after the trophy lift.
| Venue | Best Base | Food Fix | Post‑match Vibes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wimbledon | Village guesthouses & Southfields rentals | Courtyard cafés & gastropubs | Wine bars on the High Street |
| Twickenham | Riverside B&Bs & Richmond hotels | Rugby‑mad boozers & Sunday roasts | Thameside terraces at sunset |
| Emirates & Tottenham | Islington townhouses & boutique North London stays | Match‑day street food & local kebab spots | Craft beer taprooms & live‑music pubs |
A little advance plotting around Wimbledon and Twickenham pays off in spades. Around the All England Club, locals rent out leafy townhouses and garden studios, while boutique hotels cluster near Wimbledon Village, a short stroll from tennis‑themed brunches and smarter pubs pouring Pimm’s by the jug.Out west at Twickenham, riverside B&Bs and Richmond hotels give you an easy hop to the Six Nations cauldron, plus long lunches in old coaching inns and lazy walks along the Thames to sober up. Wherever you end up, look out for these neighbourhood staples:
- Self-reliant coffee shops for pre‑kick‑off caffeine and rapid breakfasts.
- Family‑run restaurants that do brisk, hearty pre‑game menus.
- Classic corner pubs near each ground,where the real sing‑songs and debriefs unfold.
- Night buses and late‑running Tube lines within walking distance, so you can stay out for the final round.
Beyond the big finals grassroots games fan zones and free ways to experience the action
Not every ticket in 2026 will come with a price tag and a seat number. Across London, boroughs are already sketching out plans for pop-up fan villages, giant screens in public squares, and community clubhouses where you can soak up the drama of Wimbledon, cup finals, and crunch Six Nations clashes for free. Expect council-backed screenings, street food stalls and local DJs turning matchdays into open-air block parties, alongside grassroots pubs and parks that quietly become neighbourhood nerve centres whenever a big game kicks off.
Many of these experiences will orbit the capital’s smaller pitches and community centres, where Sunday league finals, youth tournaments and women’s fixtures will rub shoulders with live broadcasts of the sport’s global icons. Think local teams playing curtain-raisers before a televised final, or clubs hosting skills sessions for kids between halves. Keep an eye on borough and club websites for announcements closer to the time, but here’s how 2026 is shaping up for fans who prefer atmosphere over access-all-areas passes:
- Free outdoor screens in parks and civic squares for major finals.
- Community clubhouses pairing local fixtures with live TV coverage.
- Grassroots tournaments themed around Wimbledon, the FA Cup and the Six Nations.
- Family-friendly fan zones with food trucks, face-painting and music.
- Pub takeovers with matchday menus and local brewery collaborations.
| Where | What to Expect | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Central London plazas | Big screens, DJs, post-match highlights | Free entry |
| Local parks | Family zones, kids’ skills sessions | Free / low-cost |
| Community sports clubs | Grassroots games plus live broadcasts | Donation-based |
| Neighbourhood pubs | Themed food, packed terraces | Pay as you eat/drink |
Final Thoughts
From the thunder of Twickenham to the roar of Wembley and the timeless drama of Centre Court, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for sport in the capital. Whether you’re a committed season-ticket holder, a casual fan, or simply in it for the atmosphere (and the pub afterwards), London’s calendar is stacked with unmissable fixtures and world‑class talent.
Tickets for the biggest events will be snapped up fast, so it’s worth planning your sporting year early – plotting your FA Cup weekend, your Six Nations showdown, or that dream day on the Wimbledon lawns. And if you miss out on a seat in the stands,this is London: there’ll be no shortage of fan zones,screenings,and local bars bringing the action to life across the city.
One thing’s certain: in 2026, you’ll never be far from a kick-off, first serve, or final whistle.
