Sport in 2026: Premier League, FIFA World Cup, Lando Norris defends F1 title, Luke Littler, Super Bowl, Solheim Cup and extra

2026 guarantees to be one other thrilling 12 months on the earth of sport, with loads of drama anticipated and World Cups in soccer and cricket. From title races within the Premier League, Formula 1, darts and NFL, here is a style of what is to return within the 12 months forward…

Arsenal to finish 22-year Premier League drought?

Mikel Arteta has led Arsenal to 3 consecutive runner-up finishes within the Premier League however now faces the problem of turning a robust begin to this 12 months’s marketing campaign into a primary title since 2003-04.

Summer signings included Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi have added depth to an already robust squad, whereas Declan Rice continues to play an integral position since becoming a member of the membership in 2023.

Defending champions Liverpool have been a shadow of final season’s title-winning aspect, though Manchester City have began to indicate indicators of consistency seen in earlier runs to the highest spot.

If Arteta’s Arsenal can keep above City, they are going to be agency favourites for Premier League glory.

60 years of damage to finish in North America?

Thomas Tuchel has been tasked with main England to their first World Cup victory since their 1966 success, having seen his aspect breeze by means of qualification with a 100 per cent file and with out conceding a aim.

England have reached the quarter-finals or higher in every of their final 4 main tournaments, together with runner-up finishes within the final two European Championship, leaving them once more among the many favourites to elevate the Jules Rimet Trophy.

An expanded 48-team event will present an additional spherical to barter, however the energy in depth at Tuchel’s disposal and the previous expertise most of his core squad has in main tournaments can function two large benefits.

Can Littler proceed darting dominance?

Luke Littler finishing his aim of profitable each PDC ranked TV event throughout his profession is a sensible risk in 2026, with ‘The Nuke’ closing in on ticking off each potential accolade there’s to win off his darting CV.

Littler is one in every of solely 5 gamers to have lifted the World Darts Championship, World Matchplay and Premier League in his profession, whereas the teenage sensation received the UK Open, World Grand Prix and Players Championship Finals titles throughout a unprecedented 2025.

He now simply must win the World Masters in January and European Championship within the autumn to have received each PDC TV main, which is outstanding when you think about he does not even flip 19 till January 21.

Losses to Luke Humphries within the Premier League closing, Michael van Gerwen within the World Series of Darts Finals and Gian van Veen within the World Youth Championship semi-final over the previous 12 months will gasoline Littler, who retains seeking to create extra darting historical past.

Norris defends crown as Formula 1 fires up engines

The begin of any Formula 1 season is one thing to savour, however when it is time to go, go, go in 2026 – we now have a brand new staff becoming a member of us in Cadillac and a British champion defending his crown in Lando Norris.

Not simply that, however there’s a complete raft of regulation modifications meaning issues might look very totally different to the previous couple of years and it might be very thrilling to see who embraces the change greatest. Can Max Verstappen climb again to the summit of the game? Or can Oscar Piastri get the higher of his team-mate this time?

So a lot British curiosity too! Adrian Newey is in cost at Aston Martin, there’s one other Brit on the grid in Arvid Lindblad, Lewis Hamilton will try to resurrect his profession at Ferrari after failing to complete on the rostrum final season and George Russell will consider that he can probably problem if Mercedes can get their bundle proper.

As the good Murray Walker used to say, something can occur in Formula 1 – and it often does!

From Ashes woe to World Cup glory for England males?

England headed to Australia with their greatest hopes of an away Ashes win in a era, but they misplaced the collection in 11 days of cricket amid a sea of rash strokes, some wayward bowling and a streamlined preparation that was panned by pundits.

The T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka throughout February and March offers the aspect an opportunity to bounce again, albeit in a unique format, and also you sense if it goes flawed, it might be curtains for coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key with stress already on them after the Ashes defeat.

England’s fall from grace in white-ball cricket has been well-documented – they held each World Cup titles concurrently after their T20 triumph in 2022 earlier than fading.

But that drop-off has largely are available in ODIs, with the staff making the T20 World Cup semi-finals in 2024 and slamming 300 in a bonkers recreation at residence to South Africa throughout the 2025 summer time.

With Harry Brook, Jos Buttler and Phil Salt among the many laborious hitters, plus the abilities of seamer Jofra Archer and spinner Adil Rashid with the ball, England ought to show a drive to be reckoned with.

Can McIlroy construct on Masters? Will Scheffler be part of Grand Slam membership?

Rory McIlroy turned the primary participant since Tiger Woods to finish the profession Grand Slam by profitable The Masters final April, however Scottie Scheffler can be part of golf’s most unique membership by profitable the US Open this summer time.

Scheffler simply must win at Shinnecock Hills – the place the ultimate spherical takes place on his thirtieth birthday – to have received all 4 majors and full {golfing} greatness, having already outshone McIlroy to dominate the highest of the lads’s recreation in current seasons.

McIlroy himself is only one main away from matching Sir Nick Faldo’s file of six main wins and one Race to Dubai from equalling Colin Montgomerie’s tally of Order of Merit titles on the DP World Tour. He stays the person most certainly to problem Scheffler’s stint as world No 1.

Home success for England at Women’s T20 World Cup?

England haven’t received the Women’s T20 World Cup for the reason that inaugural version in 2009 – however that was additionally the final time they hosted the occasion so maybe historical past will repeat itself?

Charlotte Edwards was captain when England lifted the trophy at Lord’s 17 years in the past and is now head coach, with the staff displaying indicators of enchancment since she took over from Jon Lewis following a 16-0 Ashes whitewash and back-to-back disappointing T20 World Cup exits.

The 50-over World Cup within the autumn of 2025 noticed a group-stage win over eventual champions India as England triumphed underneath stress, a trait that always eluded them pre-Edwards.

A semi-final thumping by South Africa confirmed there’s nonetheless work to do and they’ll should be at their greatest to topple an ever-improving India, benchmark aspect Australia and others this summer time.

Most wide-open NFL playoffs in a era

After 10 consecutive postseason appearances, 9 straight AFC West division titles, seven straight AFC Championship Game appearances and a visit to 5 of the final six Super Bowls, the Kansas City Chiefs won’t function within the NFL playoffs on the highway to Super Bowl LX. Andy Reid’s dynasty staff have received three titles since 2019 however miss out after a disappointing 2025 marketing campaign. The door is huge open within the AFC.

It would beckon as a golden alternative for Josh Allen’s nearly-men Buffalo Bills to finish their agonising wait to achieve a Super Bowl after seeing their acquainted foes eradicated. But they are not alone, with Bo Nix’s Denver Broncos, Drake Maye’s New England Patriots and Trevor Lawrence’s Jacksonville Jaguars all springing into shock competition on the high of the seedings.

Elsewhere within the NFC, the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles might have punched their ticket again to the playoffs however have flattered to deceive behind one of many worst offenses in soccer 11 months since dominating the Chiefs in New Orleans. The NFC West boasts three Championship-calibre groups in Sam Darnold’s Seattle Seahawks, Brock Purdy’s San Francisco 49ers and Matthew Stafford’s Los Angeles Rams, whereas Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson have ignited a recent chapter for the Chicago Bears as one of the crucial harmful groups in soccer.

There is a Lombardi Trophy up for grabs.

Alcaraz and Sinner vie for calendar slam as rivalry develops

Since the massive 4 period ended, males’s tennis had been devoid of an especially dominant rivalry. But it was not lengthy earlier than Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz stepped as much as the problem.

In 2025, only one different participant, Alexander Zverev, made it to a Grand Slam closing resulting from this pair dominating the season.

Winning two Slams apiece in 2025 may have left each gamers determined to achieve the sting over the opposite in a rivalry that has reignited males’s tennis, with each eyeing a calendar Grand Slam.

Starting with the Australian Open in January, world No 1 Alcaraz will look to begin his 12 months on a robust observe after being knocked out within the quarter-finals in Melbourne by Novak Djokovic in 2025.

Sinner, in the meantime, shall be aiming to turn out to be simply the second man to win the Australian Open three years operating, becoming a member of Djokovic, who has achieved a trio of triumphs twice.

Can England attain Grand Slam decider earlier than Springboks acid check?

If 2025 noticed England flip the narrative underneath Steve Borthwick with victory over the All Blacks and an 11‑recreation profitable streak, then 2026 would be the 12 months through which these foundations are examined to see whether or not they’re sound.

The first measure of England’s progress comes within the Six Nations, the place residence fixtures towards Wales and Ireland, together with journeys to Scotland and Italy of their first 4 matches, depart one apparent goal: organising a spherical‑5 Grand Slam decider towards defending champions France.

There can be no disgrace in dropping to France, however England should arrive at that recreation with the prospect of securing a primary Grand Slam in a decade nonetheless alive. Achieve that, and it will lengthen their profitable run to 16 video games – simply two shy of the file 18 set underneath Borthwick’s predecessor Eddie Jones between October 2015 and March 2017.

The inaugural Nations Championship provides an extra measure of progress, starting with rugby’s acid check: South Africa, in South Africa. The Springboks stay the game’s dominant drive, however with the 2027 Rugby World Cup a 12 months away, England have a chance to put down a marker – although that’s simpler mentioned than performed.

Can Team Europe declare Solheim Cup glory?

If the 2026 Solheim Cup – reside on Sky Sports – matches anyplace close to the drama of current contests held on European soil, then anticipate one other tight contest within the Netherlands.

Anna Nordqvist has been tasked with regaining the trophy for Team Europe at Bernardus Golf this September, having featured as a participant throughout their 2024 loss to Team USA, with the Swede having a bunch of star names at her disposal.

European stalwart Charley Hull will play a key position and Lottie Woad is about to make her rookie look having excelled throughout her maiden season as knowledgeable, whereas Maja Stark, Celine Boutier and Linn Grant are all more likely to return.

Team Europe snatched a one-point win on residence soil in 2019 and a dramatic tie to retain the trophy throughout the 2023 version in Spain, so anticipate one other shut occasion when Team USA try a historic title defence.

A complete reset for F1?

The large change in F1 shall be a whole overhaul of the technical laws that sees main modifications to the ability unit, chassis and aerodynamic guidelines. The automobiles shall be very totally different, to say the least.

New automobile design guidelines virtually actually result in a shake-up to the pecking order and Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle has described the brand new laws because the “biggest changes ever” within the sport.

The groups have been engaged on their 2026 automobiles for over a 12 months already as a result of the laws are scheduled to be in place for 5 seasons. Being fast from this 12 months will set you as much as be aggressive for the seasons to return.

Mercedes’ dominance in 2014, for instance, lasted till 2016 earlier than they have been lastly caught by Ferrari and Red Bull.

There shall be no extra DRS, as a substitute we’ll “Overtake Mode” the place the drivers can use extra energy on designated straights if they’re inside one second of one other automobile, whereas we may even see “Active Aero” which suggests the entrance and rear wings shall be transferring earlier than and after corners.

It’s anticipated the automobiles will have the ability to observe one another extra carefully, so there shall be extra overtaking alternatives.

Can Draper take seat at Grand Slam desk?

Britain’s tennis star has been struck by a string of accidents not simply in 2025 however for years it appears, and but once more he has needed to withdraw from the Australian Open resulting from an arm harm sustained in August.

Despite these setbacks, the British No 1 made an impression on the worldwide stage and enters 2026 tenth on the earth, his highest-ever year-end ATP rating.

Having reached his first Grand Slam semi-final in 2024, and two round-of-16s in 2025, Draper shall be hopeful of going even additional this season, together with his favorite event, Wimbledon, an apparent aim.

Rising challengers intention to dethrone OKC Thunder

Defending NBA champions the Oklahoma City Thunder have a cheat code to the league for the following few years.

As effectively as boasting the present league MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – who can also be very a lot within the operating as soon as once more this 12 months – they’re stashed filled with draft picks to make sure they will proceed to evolve the roster at the same time as different groups enhance year-on-year.

But they may have to take action, as a result of Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are rising as a drive within the West and the rivalry between either side is creating right into a heated one.

Although the Thunder have the higher hand in current clashes, the French phenom is placing all of it collectively in his third 12 months within the league and is now surrounded by sparky guards with De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, his successor as rookie of the 12 months, working in tandem round him.

The Spurs consider they’ve the potential to problem for the NBA crown, and with the New York Knicks seeking to reside as much as their potential and the Detroit Pistons rising as a drive within the East, the potential for a altering of the guard is actually there.

Can England crack Commonwealth Games netball code?

In 2022, England had simply their second probability to win a medal on the Commonwealth Games on residence soil.

The first alternative, in Manchester in 2002, noticed them narrowly lose the bronze‑medal match to Jamaica. The second, in Birmingham in 2022, led to one other painful defeat within the third‑place match, this time to New Zealand.

Their misfortune appears to cross borders, too: in 2014, the Vitality Roses misplaced to Jamaica but once more in one other bronze‑medal match. However, the 2018 Commonwealth champions head into this 12 months on a excessive after sweeping a two‑recreation collection towards Jamaica.

England face South Africa in January, a aspect that’s serving to shift the dialog round netball’s high groups from a high 4 to a high 5.

The Roses’ depth in squad choice units them up effectively for a possible redemption arc. Three gamers from the 2018-winning aspect stay in competition for Commonwealth choice: Helen Housby, Natalie Metcalf, and Beth Cobden.

They are joined by a bunch of gifted gamers who impressed within the worldwide collection towards New Zealand and Jamaica. Recent debutant Jaz Brown significantly stood out and is a strong drive in defence.