A Year of Big Moments: What 2026 Holds for Sports, Space, and the U. S.

2026 is going to be a big year, packed with excitement and important events. Let's dive in and see what's coming up. First up, sports fans have a lot to look forward to. The Winter Olympics and Paralympics are heading to Italy. From February 6 to 22, athletes will compete in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The opening ceremony will be a star-studded event, featuring performances by Mariah Carey and Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino. Team USA will bring back some familiar faces, like gold medalists Jessie Diggins and Chloe Kim. The Paralympics will follow from March 6 to 14, showcasing six different sports. Next, NASA is gearing up for a big mission. The Artemis II mission is planned for sometime between February and April. This mission will send four astronauts on a journey around the moon. It's a big deal because it's the first crewed flight of the Artemis program in over 50 years. The success of this mission could pave the way for future moon landings and even trips to Mars.Soccer fans won't want to miss the FIFA World Cup. This year, the tournament will be held across three countries: the U. S. , Canada, and Mexico. A record 48 teams will compete, making it the biggest World Cup yet. The opening match kicks off on June 11 in Mexico City, and the finale will be on July 19 in New Jersey. Teams like Argentina, Brazil, and the U. S. will be back, along with some new faces like Cape Verde and Uzbekistan. The U. S. is also celebrating a major milestone in 2026. It's the country's 250th birthday! There will be lots of events and initiatives to mark the occasion. The celebrations will kick off with a float in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day. Throughout the year, there will be a “Great American State Fair” on the National Mall and a big celebration on Independence Day. The festivities will include a military flyover, an address by the President, and a fireworks display. Politically, 2026 will be a big year too. The midterm elections will determine control of Congress and key governor’s races. Republicans will be defending their narrow majority in the House, while Democrats will need to gain four seats in the Senate. There will also be important races in states like Georgia, Nevada, and Michigan.