Sports fans in the United States are spoiled with choices this summer with the upcoming schedule packed with a plethora of top-class events. Leading outlets such as SportsView have already highlighted the sheer depth of elite competition offered across multiple disciplines.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup dominates the landscape, providing sports enthusiasts with 37 days of thrilling international soccer action.
FIFA’s decision to increase the number of participating teams to 48 will make the 23rd edition of the World Cup the most expansive international soccer tournament ever staged.
Basketball, ice hockey, horse racing, mixed martial arts and golf are amongst the other sports which comprise an eye-catching supporting cast.
Read on as we look at the line-up of top sports events in the U.S. over the summer.
Save the dates: Top sports events in the U.S. this summer
June
- June 4-21: Basketball – NBA Finals
- June 4-17: Ice Hockey – NHL Stanley Cup Finals
- June 6: Horse Racing – Belmont Stakes
- June 11-July 19: Soccer – FIFA World Cup
- June 14: MMA – UFC Freedom 250
- June 18-21: Golf – U.S. Open
July
- July 12-14: Baseball – MLB All-Star Game
- July 23-26: Athletics – United States Outdoor Track and Field Championships
August
- Aug. 9: Horse Racing – Arlington Million
- Aug. 23: Horse Racing – Travers Stakes
- Aug. 27-30: Golf – PGA Tour Championship
- Aug. 29: Horse Racing – Nashville Derby
- Aug. 30-Sept 13: Tennis – U.S. Open
September
- Sept. 9: NFL – Season Opening Day
- Sept. 17-20: Golf – PGA Championship
The best sports events in the U.S. for summer 2026
Horse Racing – Belmont Stakes – June 6
The Belmont Stakes is the third leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in the U.S. and always generates plenty of activity in the online betting industry.
The race follows hot on the heels of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, and potentially crowns the champion three-year-old horse for the season.
Secretariat is the most famous winner of the Triple Crown. He obliterated his rivals in 1973 to permanently etch his name into horse racing folklore.
Soccer – FIFA World Cup – June 11-July 19
The U.S. will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico this summer. Each of the host nations will be desperate to impress on home soil.
However, they could have their work cut out to match some of the top teams in the world. These include Argentina, Brazil, France, Belgium, Portugal and Germany.
Reigning European champions Spain will also be a tough nut to crack and could be the value bet to lift the prestigious trophy for the second time this century. According to Sports Today, the expanded format could produce one of the most unpredictable tournaments in World Cup history.
MMA – UFC Freedom 250 – June 14
UFC Freedom 250 – more commonly known as UFC White House – has been organized to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.
The mixed martial arts extravaganza will feature some of the top fighters in the world including Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, Alex Pereira and Michael Chandler.
UFC boss Dana White’s close relationship with U.S. president Donald Trump has been the key driver behind an event which will garner a massive worldwide audience.
Golf – U.S. Open – June 18-21
The eyes of the golfing world will be on Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York during June as the 126th edition of the U.S. Open Golf Championship is staged.
Thousands of golfers will attempt to qualify for the prestigious tournament through a two-stage process, with a final field of 156 players advancing to Shinnecock.
JJ Spaun won the event last year, drilling home a monster 64-foot putt for birdie on the final hole to become the only golfer to finish under par for the tournament at one-under (279).
Tennis – U.S. Open – Aug. 30-Sept. 13
The U.S. Open Tennis Championships is the final of the four Grand Slam tennis events, held after the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.
This year’s U.S. Open is the 146th edition of the event, making it the oldest of the four major tennis tournaments in the annual calendar.
Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka are the men’s and women’s singles defending champions, and will be strongly fancied to retain their respective titles.
NFL – NFL Season Opening Day – Sept. 9
The 2026 National Football League (NFL) regular season is scheduled to begin on September 9, 2026, and will end on January 10, 2027.
The play-offs begin on January 16 and will conclude with Super Bowl LXI at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on February 14.
Seattle Seahawks will head into the opening day as the reigning champions. They are rated as the second favorites in the ante-post market to retain the title.
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