France Prepares for a Landmark Year of Sports Events and Milestones in 2026

The year 2026 is poised to be a defining chapter for French sports, marked by a succession of exceptional events across multiple disciplines and spotlighting both historic tournaments and notable athlete achievements.

The calendar kicks off with the Men's Handball European Championship from January 15 to February 1, co-hosted by Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. France, reigning champions, are eager to defend their title in this competition featuring 24 nations. Following that, rugby fans will witness the Six Nations Tournament beginning February 5 in Paris, where the French team opens against Ireland before concluding the series with a match versus England on March 14.

From February 6 to 22, the spotlight shifts to the Winter Olympics held in Milan-Cortina. France aims to deliver strong performances, also competing in the Paralympics hosted at the same venues from March 6 to 15. Meanwhile, indoor athletics will draw attention with the World Championships slated for March 20-22 in Poland.

May unfolds with the MotoGP Grand Prix at Le Mans and the UEFA Champions League final on the 30th in Budapest, where Paris Saint-Germain seeks to defend its European title. From May 24 to June 7, Roland-Garros will captivate tennis fans.

A monumental event follows as the FIFA Men's World Cup takes place from June 11 to July 19 across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. This will also mark the end of Didier Deschamps's tenure as France’s national team coach. The iconic Tour de France starts July 4 in Barcelona and finishes July 26 in Paris, alongside the inaugural Nations Championship in rugby scheduled through November. Paris will host the European Swimming Championships from July 31 to August 16, and the Tour de France Femmes races from August 1 to 9 on a demanding mountainous route.

Formula 1 enthusiasts can anticipate the new semi-urban Madrid Grand Prix slated for September 11-13.

In addition to event previews, reflections on the sports landscape in France highlight significant 2025 moments such as PSG’s European Champions title and record-setting performances by athletes like Bielle-Biarrey and Armand Duplantis. Prominent French female athletes—Sarah Ourahmoune, Gaëtane Thiney, and Allison Pineau—have spoken candidly about the progress and persistent challenges in women's sports in France, acknowledging improvement but emphasizing more work remains.

With such a packed and historic calendar, 2026 promises exceptional excitement, competitive rigor, and opportunities for French teams and athletes to shine on the world stage.