Mindblowing 2026 global events to watch out for: FIFA World Cup, air taxis, Artemis, celestial bodies, T20 Cricket World Cup
The year promises to be a landmark year with massive spectacles across many fields
2026 promises to be a landmark year with massive sporting spectacles, historic space milestones, commercial air taxi services, elections, astronomical wonders, and cultural celebrations tied to the US Semiquintennial (250th anniversary of independence). Here's a month-by-month overview of the biggest anticipated events:
Throughout 2026
2026's mind-blowing global events: Sports thrills, science breakthroughs, tech revolutions & flying taxis take off
UAE: Launch of air taxi service following regulatory approval and completion of "vertiports".
US: America250 Celebrations, a year-long event marking the 250th anniversary, including festivals, exhibitions, and historical reenactments (e.g., expanded Smithsonian Festival on the National Mall).
Ongoing space missions: Armetis (US), potential Long March 10 mission (China) crewed lunar preparations; other launches like Dream Chaser spaceplane.
Astronomical highlights: Multiple supermoons, planetary oppositions/conjunctions.
January
Quadrantids Meteor Shower (peak January 3–4): One of the year's strongest showers, up to 120 meteors/hour under dark skies.
Potential national elections or referendums in various countries (e.g., ongoing preparations in Portugal leading to its January vote).
February
Winter Olympics (February 6–22, Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy): The world's premier winter sports event.
Winter Paralympics follow in March.
Super Bowl LX (February 8, Levi's Stadium, California, USA): NFL championship.
Men's T20 Cricket World Cup (February 7–March 8, India & Sri Lanka).
Artemis II Launch (target NET February 5, Kennedy Space Center, USA): NASA's first crewed lunar flyby since 1972, with astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen.
March
Winter Paralympics (March 6–15, Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy).
World Baseball Classic (March 5–17, USA, Puerto Rico, Japan).
Total Lunar Eclipse (March 3): Visible in parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas (Moon turns reddish "Blood Moon").
FIFA World Cup European play-offs and intercontinental qualifiers wrap up.
April
Potential Artemis II backup window if delayed from February.
Various national elections (e.g., Slovenia, Hungary).
May
Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower (peak May 5–6): Linked to Halley's Comet, best in Southern Hemisphere.
June
FIFA World Cup (June 11–July 19, co-hosted by USA, Canada, Mexico): Expanded to 48 teams; opening match in Mexico City, final Jul 19 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. Expected to draw millions.
July
FIFA World Cup continues (final July 19).
MLB All-Star Game (Jul 14, Philadelphia, USA).
Perseids Meteor Shower builds (peak in August; excellent conditions with no Moon interference).
August
Total Solar Eclipse (August 12): Path of totality across Greenland, Iceland, and Spain — Europe's first mainland totality since 1999.
Perseids Meteor Shower (peak August 12–13): One of the best annual showers, potentially spectacular under moonless skies.
September
Potential national elections (e.g., Sweden).
October
Various cultural festivals (e.g., potential Oktoberfest in Munich, though typically September–October).
Diwali celebrations in India and diaspora communities (date varies; often late October/November).
November
US Midterm Elections (November 3): All House seats and ~1/3 of Senate; major political shift possible.
Leonids Meteor Shower (peak mid-November).
Potential "Barangay" (translation: villages) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) elections in the Philippines (November 2).
December
Geminids Meteor Shower (peak December 13–14): Often the year's strongest, up to 120 meteors/hour.
Holiday festivals and end-of-year cultural events worldwide.
Sign up for the Daily Briefing
Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
