Sports Calendar: All you need to know about what's happening in January 2026

From the National League throwing in to playoff gridiron action.

 

ATHLETICS 

10: World Cross Country Championships, Tallahassee, USA 

18: National Indoor AAI Games, Dublin 

24: National Indoor League, Dublin 

BASKETBALL

2-3rd: National Cup seemi-finals, Cork

16-18th:National Cup finals, National Basketball Arena, Tallaght

25th: All-Ireland Schools League finals, U16C and U19C All-Ireland Schools League Finals, venue TBC 

26th: All-Ireland Schools League finals, U16B and U19B All-Ireland Schools League Finals, venue tbc.

COURSING.

31-Feb 2: National Coursing Meeting, Clonmel.

CRICKET 

4-8: Fifth men's Ashes Test: Australia v England, Sydney.

DARTS

Dec 11-Jan 3: Paddy Power PDC World Championship, Alexandra Palace.

GAA: 

Start of the 2026 Allianz Football and Hurling Leagues (see separate GAA calendar)

GOLF

15-18: Dubai Invitational.

15-18: Sony Open, Hawaii.

22-25: Hero Dubai Dessert Classic.

22-25: The American Express, California.

29-1: Bahrain Championship, Al Mazrowiah.

29- 1: Farmers Insurance Open, California.

NFL 

10-13: Wildcard round

17-18: Divisional round

25th: Conference championships: AFC, Denver Broncos v New England Patriots; NFC, Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams

MOTORSPORT

22-25: Rallye Monte Carlo (WRC) 

31: Galway International Rally (TROA)

RUGBY UNION 

9-10: Investec Champions Cup

17-18: Investec Champions Cup

SOCCER 

18: Africa Cup of Nations final, Senegal 1 Morocco 0 (aet).

30: Champions League, Europa League knockout phase play-off draw.

31: President's Cup: Shamrock Rovers v Derry City, Tallaght Stadium, 5pm.

TENNIS 

Jan 12-Feb 1: Australian Open, Melbourne.