After a year dominated by a men’s football World Cup in North America, 2027 looks quieter on paper. There is no Summer or Winter Olympics and no men’s World Cup. In practice, the calendar is packed. A women’s football World Cup comes to South America for the first time, rugby’s biggest tournament heads to Australia, cricket’s 50-over showpiece returns to southern Africa, and golf’s most famous course celebrates a landmark Open.
This guide walks through the major events to put in your diary, grouped by sport. Because schedules for events this far ahead can change, treat the dates as the most widely published plans at the time of writing and check each organiser’s official website before booking travel or tickets.
Why 2027 Is a Strong Year for Fans
A year without an Olympics or men’s World Cup often creates room for other competitions to shine. Several major tournaments land in the same twelve months, and many suit viewers in both the United States and the United Kingdom, whether that means early-morning kick-offs, Sunday-afternoon golf or late-night American football.
It is also a build-up year. The Los Angeles 2028 Olympics are approaching, and many athletes will use 2027 world championships to establish form and qualification positions.
Football
FIFA Women’s World Cup (Brazil)
The headline football event of 2027 is the FIFA Women’s World Cup, awarded to Brazil. It is the first time the tournament has been staged in South America. The competition is scheduled for roughly late June to late July 2027.
The tournament has grown quickly in profile since the 2023 edition in Australia and New Zealand, which expanded to 32 teams. Expect strong interest from US fans, given the United States’ record as the most successful nation in the tournament’s history, and from English supporters following the Lionesses after their European Championship success.
Time zones should be kinder to Western audiences than in 2023, since Brazil sits only a few hours ahead of the US East Coast and a few hours behind the UK. Check FIFA’s official schedule for host cities and kick-off times.
AFC Asian Cup (Saudi Arabia)
Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host the men’s AFC Asian Cup in early 2027, giving football fans an early-year tournament. It will be a significant moment for the host nation, which has been investing heavily in its football profile and is also due to host the 2034 men’s World Cup. The Asian Cup is less visible in the UK and US than European competitions, but it provides a good look at emerging talent.
Africa Cup of Nations (East Africa)
The next men’s Africa Cup of Nations is planned for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda under the joint “Pamoja” bid. The date has been subject to scheduling discussions in the past, so confirm the current dates with the Confederation of African Football. For fans of the Premier League, the tournament matters because many top players leave their clubs to represent their countries.
UEFA Champions League Final
Club football’s showpiece is scheduled for late May 2027, with the final set for the San Siro in Milan. Even if you are not following the whole competition, the final is reliably one of the most-watched single sporting events of the year. See our guide to how the competition’s format works if the league-phase structure is unfamiliar.
Rugby
Rugby World Cup (Australia)
The Men’s Rugby World Cup is scheduled for October and November 2027 in Australia, the first time the host nation has staged the event since 2003. The tournament is expected to feature 24 teams, and the final is planned for Sydney.
For UK viewers, early-morning and overnight kick-offs may be required, so many fans plan viewing parties. The big storylines include the strength of the southern hemisphere teams, especially the Springboks, who have won back-to-back World Cups, and the ambitions of England, Ireland, France and Scotland. If you are new to the sport, our comparison of rugby and American football explains the basics of the game.
Six Nations
Rugby’s northern hemisphere championship runs each year from late January into March, and the 2027 edition will feature England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. It also acts as an important dress rehearsal for the World Cup later in the year. Wales and Scotland, in particular, will be looking to build form, while Ireland and France are likely to remain among the favourites.
Cricket
Men’s ODI Cricket World Cup (Southern Africa)
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in the 50-over format is planned for South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in late 2027. It is the first time the competition has been hosted partly in Namibia. The tournament is expected to be played in October and November, though the International Cricket Council publishes final fixture details closer to the event.
The 50-over format has had a smaller role in the international calendar in recent years because of the popularity of T20 cricket, but the World Cup remains a prestige event. If you are unfamiliar with the differences between formats, see our beginner’s guide to how cricket works.
The Ashes
The next Ashes series is scheduled for Australia during the 2027-28 winter, so it falls mostly outside the calendar year, but build-up coverage will start during 2027. Expect heavy discussion of England’s squad and tactics as the schedule approaches.
Golf
The Masters, PGA Championship and US Open
The three major championships staged in the United States follow their traditional pattern: the Masters at Augusta National in April, the PGA Championship in May and the US Open in June. Each tournament has its own identity, from Augusta’s azaleas to the brutal set-ups usually favoured by the US Open.
The 155th Open at St Andrews
The Open Championship is scheduled to return to St Andrews, the “Home of Golf”, in July 2027. The Old Course has hosted the event many times, and the 2027 edition is expected to be a landmark occasion. It is typically one of the most atmospheric events in the golf calendar and a strong pick for UK fans who want to attend.
The Ryder Cup
The 2027 Ryder Cup is scheduled for Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland, in September. It will be the first time the event has been staged in Ireland since 2006. Europe will be hoping to regain momentum against the United States in what is always among the loudest events in golf.
Tennis
The four Grand Slams anchor the tennis year: the Australian Open in January, the French Open in May and June, Wimbledon in late June and July, and the US Open in late August and September. Wimbledon remains the main attraction for UK audiences, while the US Open’s night sessions are often the biggest draw in America. With the sport’s older generation of champions largely retired or winding down, 2027 should continue to showcase newer stars.
American Sports
Super Bowl LXI
The Super Bowl, the NFL’s championship game, is scheduled for February 2027 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. It is one of the most-watched television events in the United States, and many UK fans stay up late or wake early to watch. If you are following American football for the first time, our guide to how American football works covers the basics.
NBA Finals and the Stanley Cup
The NBA Finals take place in June, while the Stanley Cup Final in ice hockey runs in a similar window. Both are seven-game series that reward depth and consistency.
Major League Baseball
The World Series concludes the baseball season in late October or early November. For UK fans, the sport remains a niche interest, though the MLB London Series has attracted strong crowds in recent years.
Athletics, Cycling and Other Sports
World Athletics Championships
The World Athletics Championships are scheduled for Beijing in 2027, usually held in late summer. They will serve as a pre-Olympic benchmark, with sprinting, middle-distance running and field events all likely to produce headline performances.
Tour de France
The 2027 Tour de France is due to start in Edinburgh, Scotland, the first Grand Départ in Scotland. The opening stages should draw big crowds and strong television coverage in the UK. The race runs through July.
America’s Cup
The America’s Cup, sailing’s oldest international trophy, is scheduled for Naples, Italy, in 2027. The dates and format have been subject to change in the past, so look for updated information from the organisers.
World Aquatics Championships
The World Aquatics Championships are scheduled for 2027 and are another important pre-Olympic event, covering swimming, diving and water polo.
Quick Reference Calendar
| Event | Sport | Approximate Timing | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC Asian Cup | Football | Early 2027 | Saudi Arabia |
| Six Nations | Rugby union | Late Jan to March | Europe |
| Super Bowl LXI | American football | February | California, USA |
| Masters | Golf | April | Georgia, USA |
| Champions League Final | Football | Late May | Milan, Italy |
| Women’s World Cup | Football | Late June to late July | Brazil |
| Wimbledon | Tennis | Late June to July | London, UK |
| Tour de France | Cycling | July | Starts in Edinburgh |
| The Open | Golf | July | St Andrews, Scotland |
| Ryder Cup | Golf | September | Adare Manor, Ireland |
| World Athletics Championships | Athletics | Late summer | Beijing, China |
| Rugby World Cup | Rugby union | Oct to Nov | Australia |
| Cricket World Cup | Cricket | Oct to Nov | Southern Africa |
All dates are approximate. Always confirm with official sources.
How to Plan Your 2027 Viewing
Check the Broadcasters Early
Television rights change regularly and vary by country. A tournament that is free to air in the UK may be behind a paywall in the US, and vice versa. Check official sites closer to each event rather than relying on older listings.
Plan Travel Well in Advance
If you want to attend an event in person, such as the Open or the Ryder Cup, ticket ballots and hospitality packages often open a year or more ahead. Accommodation near major venues also fills quickly.
Account for Time Differences
Events in Australia and Asia tend to mean early mornings or late nights for UK and US viewers. Most broadcasters offer replays and highlights, so you can still follow along without losing sleep.
Conclusion
2027 may not have an Olympics or a men’s World Cup, but it offers an impressive spread of sporting drama: a historic Women’s World Cup in Brazil, a Rugby World Cup in Australia, a cricket World Cup in southern Africa, a landmark Open at St Andrews and a Ryder Cup in Ireland.
Whichever sport you follow, the best approach is to choose two or three events that matter most to you, confirm the dates with the official organisers and plan around them. Schedules can change, but the quality of the year’s competition looks set to deliver.
