There’s a party and you’re invited: it’s time to start mapping out a holiday to remember. And what better excuse to explore a bucket list destination than while there’s an event in town? Feel the frenetic energy of a city as it celebrates and uncover unique events that are sure to excite and unite.
Scroll on for eight bucket list events that are well worth the trip.
2026
March: AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 (Gold Coast, Perth, Sydney)
Following the sweeping success of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup (held across Australia and New Zealand), the energy of a live football tournament is back again on local turf. This international tournament will be held from 1 – 21 March across five venues in Sydney, Perth and the Gold Coast. Tickets are your chance to see women’s football teams, including Japan, Korea Republic and China PR, in action. For sports-lovers who keenly followed the Matildas in their World Cup campaign, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup is another chance to see some of your favourite players hit the pitch. The Matildas’ current line up includes Ellie Carpenter, Hayley Raso, Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord.
February: 2026 Winter Olympics (Milan & Cortina, Italy)
The picturesque Italian alps will become the ultimate stage for winter sports when Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo host the 2026 Winter Olympics. Already one of the world’s most coveted destinations for all things apres-ski and beyond – fans from all over will flock to see high-stakes ice hockey championships and the best-of-the-best in alpine sports. Off the slopes, make sure to explore Milan’s fashion scene, indulge in heartwarming (and hand warming) Italian cuisine, or simply soak up the breathtaking Dolomites.
June: FIFA World Cup 2026 (North America: USA, Canada, Mexico)
Football’s biggest tournament returns to North America for the first time in decades, promising a month of festivities and crowds drawn from all four corners of the globe. Hosted across 16 cities – including Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Mexico City – the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest yet, featuring 48 teams for the first time. Strap in for a carnival-like atmosphere as fans from around the world unite to celebrate the game in spirited fashion.
August: Total solar eclipse (Ribera del Duero, Spain)
On 12 August, 2026, the moon will eclipse the sun for a moment of midday darkness, with the path of totality passing over parts of Iceland, Greenland and northern Spain – and happily, one of the latter’s most prominent wine regions, the Ribera del Duero, between Bilbao and Madrid. Pause the day’s tasting and look skyward for one of life’s great cosmic phenomena, connecting you and fellow wine lovers with a truly unique travel memory. The uber-luxe Jumeirah Mallorca is also tipped to be an excellent viewing spot.
TBC: Melbourne NFL (Melbourne, Australia)
While Australia is best known for its native Aussie rules football, the NFL is making serious waves Down Under. In 2026, Melbourne is set to host its first-ever NFL game, bringing the intensity of American football to a city already brimming with sporting culture. Pack the stands and partake in tailgate-style festivities as some of the league’s biggest teams battle it out on Australian soil. Whether you’re a die-hard gridiron fan or just curious about the hype, this historic event is one to catch.
2027
June: UEFA Champions League Final (Madrid, Spain)
The UEFA Champions League is one of the most prestigious fixtures in the football calendar, regarded by many as the pinnacle of ‘The World Game.’ Hosting is an honour that only the best and biggest stadiums have bestowed upon them; to visit them as the crowd reaches fever pitch in the final minutes of a Champions League Final is totally unmatched. The 2026/2027 season finale will be held in Madrid, Spain, at the Metropolitano Stadium. On 5 June 2027, it will host more than 70,000 die-hard football fans while Madrid pulls out all the stops for an electric weekend of elation and celebration.
October – November: Rugby World Cup (Australia)
The six weeks from 1 October to 13 November 2027 will be great for two things: watching the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup live while touring the best bits of this great southern land in spring. The pinnacle of Rugby Union returns to Australian shores for the first time since 2003, as seven cities watch 24 nations battle for the coveted Cup in an all-new format. Between blockbuster matches of rugby union, there’s no shortage of new experiences in the host cities, which take you from Perth’s pristine beaches to the rainforests of Queensland and cultural hubs of Sydney and Melbourne. With the game growing globally, what better nation to enable its run to the line than sports-obsessed Australia?
October – November: Cricket World Cup (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia)
After 24 years, cricket’s one-day World Cup will return to Africa for an undoubtedly energetic six weeks of chaos. Across October and November, 54 matches and 14 nations will crown a new champion, while fans hang on every moment under the hot African sun. Between matches, combine your trip with a safari, or take a rest from all that cheering on South Africa’s pristine white sand beaches. Lion sightings might be illusive, but an action-packed World Cup is all but guaranteed.
Year-Round: Abu Dhabi Festival
Abu Dhabi Festival, which will be in its 23rd year by 2027, is a glorious annual showcase of world-class musicians and artists. More than 600 performances, 120 world premieres and 100 commissioned works from more than 30 countries will dazzle attendees and highlight the UAE as a place of harmony and culture. While visiting this enchanting city, you’ll discover all sorts of modern and historical attractions, from beach clubs to the Grand Mosque and desert safari experiences.
Events to travel for beyond 2027
- Summer Olympics 2028 (Los Angeles, USA)
- Cricket: 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup (Australia/New Zealand)
- Solar Eclipse 2029
