You can book travel NOW for an exciting world event in 2026, here are some suggestions

If you’re thinking of traveling to see a global event, then you can book now with just a small deposit, giving you plenty of time to save, the peace of mind knowing you have a guaranteed trip, and something incredible to look forward to! For your convenience, you can also put any of these trips on our Travel Layaway Plan!

So, whether you dream of catching the final match of the World Cup, carving up the slopes of the Italian Alps, or seeing a total solar eclipse in Spain, the perfect time to start planning your 2026 adventure is now. Here’s a short list to give you some ideas:

January 19 – The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
February 8 – Super Bowl LX is scheduled to be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The half-time show will be headlined by Puerto Rican artist ‘Bad Bunny’.
February 17 – March 8, – Chinese New Year in 2026 falls on a Tuesday, and marks the beginning of the Year of the Horse. This festive period is also known as the Spring Festival and celebrates new beginnings and family reunions.
February 13-21 – Carnival in Brazil (Carnaval in Portuguese) is a bucket-list worthy event. This vibrant festival and celebration draw millions of people to Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, São Paulo and other cities in Brazil each year. The heart of the celebration is Rio’s famous Sambadrome. Here samba schools showcase elaborate floats and costumes in a dazzling competition.
March 17 – 29 – The Commonwealth Games gathers more than 70 countries to compete in a series of 10 sporting events, including swimming and athletics. The games occur every four years. The next edition is in 2026 and will be hosted in Glasgow, Scotland.
April 6 – The NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament final will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
June 11 to July 19 – The United States will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico and will host the majority of games during the tournament, including all games past the quarterfinals of the knockout stage including the final, which will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
July 4 – The United States will celebrate its 250th birthday as a nation, with many events planned in our nation’s capital, there will be state and local events across the country, special exhibitions, commemorative coins, stamps and memorabilia. This milestone is officially called the Semiquincentennial or America250.
July 4-26 – The 113th Edition of the ‘Tour de France’ will take place for the first time in Barcelona as the host. Barcelona will host two full stages (stages 1 & 2) entirely in Catalonia before crossing into France.
August 12 – A total solar eclipse is predicted to occur at the Moon’s descending node of the orbit in North America and Europe. The total eclipse will pass over the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean and northern Spain. You might one of the lucky ones to see this if you happen to be traveling or cruising to any of these destinations during this time.
In September 20-27 – UCI Road World Championships is one of the most prestigious events in professional road cycling on land. Held in Montreal, Canada, this event attracts top cyclists from around the globe.
September – Mid-October (date: TBA) – In 1991, Aloha Week became the ‘Aloha Festivals’ with its activities are now extending beyond a week. Oahu will host many of its major events since it has the largest population in Hawaii. Well over a hundred thousand people now attend the festivals, comprising of both local residents and visitors. The Aloha Festivals are a collection of more than 300 events, spanning across the islands. Due to their massive undertaking, the festivals now take place over a two-month period.
November to December – With the popularity of European Christmas Market River Cruises, you can experience multiple markets on one trip! A fast-growing trend of becoming more family-friendly, the towns and villages along the river are ready and open for the influx of River Cruises that ply their waters, dropping off enthusiastic passengers to find that perfect gift to take home.

By Joyce Bates, owner of Sun Connections Travel & Cruises. For more info on this subject or to book your next trip, email joyce@sunconnections.com. Call 503-655-4850 or visit us at www.sunconnections.com. Travel Layaway plans available!