2026 PREDICTIONS AND WHO TO WATCH

What will the New Year bring for the world of sport? Our reporters set the scene while we've also taken a look at those stars who are set to have a big 12 months

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ANDY DUNN What sporting event am I most looking forward to in 2026?

It creeps up unannounced, with little fanfare and with little British optimism, but the Winter Olympics - held this year in Milan and Cortina D'Ampezzo - never fails to enthral. And this time around, Team GB has a serious chance of winning a couple of medals. Look out for teenage snowboarder Mia Brookes.

Yes, they can. But no, they won't. Thomas Tuchel has a very good squad at his disposal but it will still be found wanting in certain areas. The reliance on Harry Kane is a cause for concern and, even though they did not concede a goal in qualification, the defensive unit will be exposed by blue-chip opposition.

On his home track, The Open will be confirmation that Tommy Fleetwood has the potential to be the best golfer in the world. But a victory at Royal Birkdale might not be his first Major win. With his American jinx well and truly broken, the affable Southport golfer is a very good bet for the Masters, too.

Free-to-air action. The World Cup is great for many reasons but one of the main ones is that everyone can watch it without having to fork out for subscription television. One day, sports executives are going to wake up to the idea that it is not always the best option to sell your soul to the highest TV bidder.

Simple. Cheating. It has always been there in sport but it has never been more prevalent. And in football, in particular, it has become a default mode. Goalkeepers pretending to be injured, players collapsing at the brush of a hand, squealing, screaming, diving. If VAR is useful for one thing, it should be to punish cheats.