Exciting Sports Calendar for India in 2026: Major Events and Competitions

The year 2026 is poised to be a landmark year for Indian sports, with a plethora of competitions lined up, including the Under-19 World Cup, T20 World Cup, and various championships in athletics, badminton, and more. Fans can look forward to thrilling events that not only showcase emerging talents but also provide opportunities for Olympic qualification. From cricket to chess, the packed calendar promises excitement and challenges for athletes and supporters alike. Discover the full schedule and key highlights of this dynamic year in Indian sports.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 31, 2025, 20:14 IST

Overview of 2026 in Indian Sports

The year 2026 is set to be a thrilling period for Indian sports, featuring numerous world championships and early qualification opportunities for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Fans can anticipate a busy schedule filled with competitions across various sports.

January to March Highlights

The sports calendar kicks off with cricket taking center stage. The Under-19 World Cup will take place in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6, showcasing emerging talents. Following this, the Indian men's senior team will aim to defend their T20 World Cup title at home and in Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

In tennis, the Australian Open is scheduled from January 12 to February 1, although Indian players may not be in the spotlight. Badminton enthusiasts can look forward to the All England Championships starting March 3, where P.V. Sindhu and others will seek to recover from a challenging season. Additionally, Indian football fans can cheer for their team in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, commencing March 1, marking India's return to the tournament after a significant hiatus.

April to June Events

As March transitions into April, two significant events will occur: the Candidates Chess Tournament in Cyprus (March 28 – April 16) and the Asian Boxing Championships in Mongolia (March 28 – April 11). Indian chess players such as R. Praggnanandhaa, R. Vaishali, Koneru Humpy, and Divya Deshmukh will compete for prestigious titles.

The Asian Weightlifting Championships will be hosted in Ahmedabad from April 1 to 10. Following this, the Thomas and Uber Cup in badminton will take place from April 24 to May 3, and the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals will occur in London (April 28 – May 10), where India has secured a spot.

June will feature the Women’s T20 World Cup, with Harmanpreet Kaur leading the Indian team to defend their title. The athletics season will commence with the Diamond League, featuring star athlete Neeraj Chopra. Other international tennis events, including the French Open (May) and Wimbledon (June), along with the FIFA World Cup (June-July, hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada), will also draw significant attention.

July to September Schedule

The Commonwealth Games will take place from July 23 to August 2, focusing on athletics, boxing, and weightlifting, as shooting and wrestling have been excluded due to budget constraints.

Delhi will host the World Badminton Championships starting August 17, while the Men’s and Women’s Hockey World Cups will commence on August 14 in Belgium and the Netherlands. The Indian men's team has already qualified, while the women's team must secure their place through qualifiers in March.

Bhubaneswar will be the venue for the World Athletics Continental Tour on August 22, and September will see the Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan (September 19 – October 4), where medals in hockey and shooting could lead to Olympic qualifications. The Diamond League Finals in Brussels (September 4-5) and the 46th Chess Olympiad in Tashkent will also be part of this busy schedule.

October to December Events

The year will conclude with several prestigious world championships. The Wrestling World Championships will take place in Bahrain on October 24, followed by the Weightlifting World Championships in China from October 27 to November 8. Shooters will compete for Olympic quota spots at the ISSF World Championship in Doha starting November 1.

The World Chess Championship will wrap up the year, although the specific dates and venue are yet to be confirmed.

Upcoming Events to Be Announced

Neeraj Chopra’s NC Classic, which debuted in Bengaluru in July 2025, is anticipated to return in 2026 as an annual event, although the exact dates are still pending.