our 2026 social calendar
the sports weekends that i think we should take PTO for :)
Sooo, I’ve been doing some research and thinking about our 2026 sports event calendar.
Not all sports events create a case of FOMO. Some are fun to watch on a screen at home, some are fun to talk about, but every now and then there are a few that actually feel worth leaving your house for.
I’m talking about the ones you plan trips around, request time off work for, and still think about months later.
This isn’t a definitive list, and it’s definitely not about seeing everything. It’s about the weekends where the energy is magnetic and the experience is bigger than just the game itself.
So here’s my (dream) 2026 sports calendar and the sports weekends that I think we should take PTO for <3
To make this easier to actually plan around, I broke it down by quarter. Think of this as a rough guide for when you might want to start saving days off from work.
Q1
January, February & March
Super Bowl
February in San Francisco. Even if you never go to another NFL game, this one feels like a real cultural moment, but it is very pricey and just as fun to watch at home or at a sports lounge.SXSW
March in Austin, Texas. Not a sports event exactly, but sports shows up in a big way outside of gameplay now. Panels, athletes, brand activations, and a lot of crossover between media, tech, and sports.NASCAR early-season races
This seems like a great time to catch NASCAR before the schedule gets packed and chaotic.
Q2
April, May & June, when the calendar starts filling up fast
Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix
May. An exciting racing event with good weather and a lot going on.Cannes Lions
June. Not necessarily fan-facing, but sports is absolutely part of the conversation here now. Teams, leagues, athletes, and brands all in one place.MLB games
Spring games are underrated. Easier tickets and better weather. I remember going to a game where the New York Yankees set a franchise record by hitting nine home runs in a single game. The energy was electric. Games like that make you want to stop time.
Q3
July, August & September, when sports trips feel like actual vacations
Wimbledon
July. Really hard to get into, but iconic. Even being in London during Wimbledon week probably feels special.Formula 1 (European summer races)
Peak F1 season. Great excuse to travel if you’ve ever wanted to pair racing with a real vacation.US Open
Late August into September in NYC. One of the easiest major tournaments to attend. Seeing the matches and brand activations are probably worth the PTO alone.
Q4
October, November & December, when you’re using the last of your PTO
Formula 1 United States Grand Prix
October. One of the easiest F1 races to attend and consistently one of the most fun.NASCAR Cup Series (playoff races)
Higher stakes and aggressive racing.NFL and NBA games
This is when games start to feel more serious. Rivalries matter more and the energy is just so much fun in-person.Not your typical sports event, but the energy in NYC around the marathon always feels so hopeful and community-oriented.
If there’s one of these you’ve already been thinking about, this is me encouraging you to actually go.
Let me know if I missed anything :)