What Makes New York 2026’s Centrepiece?

Start spreading the news. New York is set to become a major hub of entertainment in 2026. 

In a year defined by the Football World Cup, the US Open in tennis and golf, NFL and NBA seasons, and headline live music events, New York’s position as the global sports and entertainment capital has never been clearer. 

From the weekly theatre of the NHL and MLB to the global spectacle of the Football World Cup, from the electric US Open competitions to blockbuster music residencies, no other city on the planet offers a calendar quite like it.  

This is not coincidence. New York has an ability to turn competition into cultural moments.  

Stadiums across New York City have become global broadcast hubs and the city itself becomes part of the show. 

As experts in premium live entertainment experiences, there is excitement to support our community with memorable experiences in New York this year.  

The different sporting, music and live experiences will not compete for attention in New York this year, they will amplify one another.  

In doing so, they make a compelling case for why New York is defining the global calendar in 2026. 

Major Sporting Events in New York 2026

Football World Cup 2026

From June 11 – July 19 the world will have its eyes on USA, Canada, and Mexico as hosts of the 2026 Football World Cup.  

New Jersey has been selected to host eight games across the competition, including the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium on 19 July.   

One of which is the World Cup Final, hosted on the July 19, an incredible combination of one of sport’s biggest moments and one of the world’s most attractive cities. 

Football World Cup Games Taking Place in MetLife Stadium 

M7: Saturday, 13 June 2026
Group C
BRAZIL vs MOROCCO  

M17: Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Group I
FRANCE vs SENEGAL  

M41: Monday, 22 June 2026
Group I
NORWAY vs SENEGAL  

M56: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Group E
ECUADOR vs GERMANY 

M67: Saturday, 27 June 2026
Group L
PANAMA vs GERMANY  

M77: Tuesday 30 June 2026
Round of 32
1st I vs 3rd CDFGH  

M91: Sunday 5 July 2026
Round of 16
W76 vs W78  

M104: Sunday 19 July 2026
World Cup Final
W101 vs W102 

A full breakdown of the fixtures across each host city is available here.

It is reported that 1.5 billion viewers tuned in to watch the Qatar World Cup Final in 2022 between Argentina and France.  

With that number expected to rise, due to the increased number of countries in the competition, billions across the globe are likely to watch this extraordinary event.  

Enquire with Blend Group about Football World Cup experiences

Harry Styles Together, Together Tour  

Global music and entertainment superstar Harry Styles announced his return to music at the beginning of 2026. 

He announced an album and global tour following a four-year hiatus. 

The Together, Together Tour will travel to Amsterdam, London, Brazil, Mexico, New York and Australia.  

The highlight is the inclusion of a 30-day residency at Madison Square Garden. 

Madison Square Garden is an internationally recognised hub of entertainment and has hosted a plethora of huge events in its illustrious history.  

It remains a top destination for major, high-profile events in New York City. Iconic events from the world of Boxing, MMA, Basketball and Wrestling have taken place here. 

Harry Styles follows artists such as David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, and Billy Joel who have played at Madison Square Garden. 

Harry Styles’ “Together, Together” residency features 30 shows across MSG in 2026

August
Wednesday 26
Friday 28
Saturday 29 

September
Wednesday 02
Friday 04
Saturday 05
Wednesday 09
Friday 11
Saturday 12
Wednesday 16
Friday 18
Saturday 19
Wednesday 23
Friday 25
Saturday 26
Wednesday 30 

October
Friday 02
Saturday 03
Wednesday 07
Friday 09
Saturday 10
Wednesday 14
Friday 16
Saturday 17
Wednesday 21
Friday 23
Saturday 24
Wednesday 28
Friday 30 (Halloween Show)
Saturday 31 (Halloween Show) 

Harry Styles will be supported by English DJ Jamie XX throughout his Madison Square Garden residency. 

For all the details on Harry Styles experiences, the Blend Group team has you covered.

US Open – Golf

The U.S. Open is one of golf’s four Major Championships. This year it will take place from the 18-21 June. 

It is one of the sport’s ultimate tests, often featuring fast greens, punishing roughs, and narrow fairways.  

In 2026, it returns to iconic Shinnecock Hills, New York. This follows a successful Ryder Cup competition which took place at Bethpage Black in 2025. 

Traditionally the US Open Golf Major switches city every year, with this being the sixth time Shinnecock Hills has hosted the competition.

Further ideas on how to enhance a US Open Golf experience available here. 

The beauty of the timing of this competition is that it can be paired with a Football World Cup group taking place either the week of, or the week after the US Open.  

FRANCE vs SENEGAL – Tuesday, 16 June 2026
NORWAY vs SENEGAL – Monday, 22 June 2026 

The making of a potentially extraordinary June in New York! 

Find out more about US Open experiences in 2026 by speaking to our team.

US Open – Tennis

The Tennis Grand Slam competitions are often considered as the pinnacle of premium sport experiences.  

Unlike the Golf equivalent, the tennis US Open has been held in New York every year since 1923. 

In 1978 it moved to the hard courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre in Flushing Meadows, Queens. 

In 2026, The Tennis US Open will take place from 30 August to 13 September.  

Arguably the perfect timing if you are both a tennis, and a Harry Styles fan! 

Men’s Tennis is currently dominated by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, with the legendary Novak Djokovic a close third during the swansong of his career.  

These three fierce competitors are keeping tennis fans at the edge of their seats, and we expect more of the same at the US Open this year.  

On the women’s side of the game, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek have been the ladies to beat over the past few years.  

However, the young American, Coco Gauff might have a say in this year’s competition having won the French Open at Roland Garros in 2025.  

Tennis in New York is a staple of the sporting calendar, and we can’t wait for the latest iteration in 2026.  

Speak to our team about Tennis US Open opportunities.  

Staple American Competitions in New York 2026  

NFL: The Weekly Centre of the Sporting Universe

With the Giants and Jets playing at MetLife Stadium, the city sits at the heart of a league that dominates global broadcast schedules every autumn and winter.  

The NFL’s effort to expand its global viewer base through international fixtures and marketing has turned each game into a media event. 

In a year already crowded with global spectacles, the NFL provides New York with its most reliable weekly spotlight. 

With two New York teams, the state can expect to host at least 16 regular season games.  

NBA: Basketball’s Global Stage at Madison Square Garden

I’ve already outlined the weight Madison Square Garden carries in the world of sport and culture.  

Like the NFL, New York has two NBA teams: The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. 

Whether through regular-season drama or playoff intensity, New York’s NBA presence reinforces the city’s role as basketball’s most visible and influential market. 

With each NBA team playing 41 home games during a regular season, MSG can expect over 80 games of basketball each season.  

MLB: Tradition, Scale and Summer Spectacle

Baseball remains woven into New York’s identity with the state’s headline team, The New York Yankees, the most decorated team in World Series history.  

The Mets sit alongside the Yankees and command attention across a long summer season.  

MLB teams play 81 home games a season which means fans can expect at least 162 games a season in New York.  

NHL: Intensity in One of Hockey’s Deepest Markets

Unlike the other staple American sports above, New York State is home to three NHL franchises.

This includes New York Rangers (based in Manhattan), the New York Islanders (based in Elmont) and the Buffalo Sabres (based in Buffalo).  

In 2026, hockey adds another layer to New York’s sporting calendar, with the state hosting over 120 home games. 

MLS: Football’s American Frontier

Football continues its rapid rise in the United States, and the Football World Cup in 2026 will only accelerate its interest and growth.  

Major League Soccer places New York at the forefront of the game’s domestic growth with two teams representing the city: New York Red Bulls and New York City FC. 

In a Football World Cup year, the league’s presence in New York feels particularly significant. 

Between the two teams, fans can expect at least 34 home games in a season.  

For more information on any of these teams or competitions, please submit an enquiry. 

When Will you Travel to New York in 2026?

By our conservative estimates there will be at least 470 home games, entertainment events and ‘days play’ in New York this year.  

And this only includes the events we have spotlighted in this article! 

The mix of these incredible entertainment events, and the global allure of New York, makes the State a centre-point for bespoke memorable moments in 2026.  

We have a range of clients and Olympus members heading to New York this year, and will continue supporting individuals, families and corporations looking for unforgettable premium experiences in 2026.  

For more information on how we can support you, get in touch with our dedicated team.