At a Glance
- Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milan & Cortina d’Ampezzo, Feb 6-22 & Mar 6-14.
- NASA’s Artemis II moon-orbit mission slated Feb-Apr 2026.
- FIFA World Cup 2026 spans June 11-July 19 across 16 host cities in US, Canada, Mexico.
- Why it matters: These milestones make 2026 a year of sports, space, and national celebration.
The year 2026 will be packed with historic events, from winter sports in Italy to a moon-orbiting NASA flight, a global soccer tournament, and the United States’ 250th anniversary, all set against the backdrop of midterm elections.
Winter Olympics & Paralympics
The 2026 Winter Games will take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, from February 6 to 22. The opening ceremony will feature Savannah Guthrie and Terry Gannon, with the San Siro stadium hosting the parade, cauldron lighting, Mariah Carey, and Pierfrancesco Favino. NBC will broadcast both ceremonies, and Peacock will stream them.
- Jessie Diggins, cross-country skier and gold medalist
- Noah Elliot, para snowboarder and gold medalist
- Alex Hall, freestyle skier and gold medalist
The Paralympic Games will run from March 6 to 14, featuring six sports: para Alpine skiing, para biathlon, para cross-country skiing, para ice hockey, para snowboard, and wheelchair curling.
Artemis II Mission
NASA’s Artemis II, the first crewed flight in the Artemis program, is expected to launch between February and April 2026. Four astronauts will orbit the moon for about ten days to test the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft. Success will pave the way for Artemis III, the planned lunar south-pole landing.
FIFA World Cup 2026
The 23rd FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams across 16 cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico, starting June 11 and concluding July 19. 104 matches will be played, with the final at MetLife Stadium. 16 new teams will join the tournament, including debutants Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan.
America 250
The United States celebrates its 250th anniversary of independence on July 4, 2026. A series of events, including a Rose Parade float, a National Mall state fair, and a fireworks display, will mark the milestone. President Trump announced a “Freedom 250” initiative and plans for a triumphal arch.
Midterm Elections
The 2026 midterm elections will decide control of Congress and governorships in swing states. Republicans defend a narrow House majority, while Democrats seek to net three seats. Key races include Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Winter Olympics | Feb 6-22 |
| Winter Paralympics | Mar 6-14 |
| Artemis II launch | Feb-Apr |
| FIFA World Cup | Jun 11-Jul 19 |
| Independence Day | Jul 4 |
| Midterm Elections | Nov 2026 |
Key Takeaways
- 2026 hosts the Winter Olympics, Paralympics, World Cup, and a historic US anniversary.
- NASA’s Artemis II will test deep-space flight before a planned lunar landing.
- Midterm elections will shape congressional control and key state leadership.
The combination of icy tracks, lunar orbit, and global soccer will make 2026 unforgettable for athletes, space enthusiasts, and citizens alike.
