2026 is set to be a big year for sport across the UK, with football, rugby, racing and major national events filling the calendar. Whether you’re planning an away day, a cup tie, or a one-off sporting trip, travelling by train is often the simplest way to get there.
Most major venues are either in city centres or within easy reach of mainline stations, and for longer journeys, split tickets can make a real difference to the cost.
Below are some of the key sporting moments still to come this year, and why it’s worth planning train travel early.
The Emirates FA Cup 2025-26: Final Stretch
Image source: Shutterstock
The domestic cup competition reaches its most exciting stages:
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Quarter-Finals: Saturday 4 April 2026
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Semi-Finals: Saturday 25 April 2026
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FA Cup Final: Saturday 16 May 2026
These ties often draw big away crowds, most notably at Wembley Stadium in London, where both the semis and final are held. Trains to Wembley Stadium make rail one of the most convenient ways to travel on matchday.
Horse Racing
Image source: Simson Petrol | Stocksnap
- Randox Grand National Festival - Aintree
9–11 April 2026 - One of the biggest weekends in British sport, culminating in the famous Grand National race on Saturday 11 April.
The three-day festival at Aintree Racecourse is a bucket-list event for many fans and remains one of the most rail-friendly horse racing weeks of the year. Most visitors take trains into Liverpool Lime Street before connecting by Merseyrail or shuttle buses to Aintree.
- Royal Ascot
16–20 June 2026 - Royal Ascot is one of the premier social and sporting events in the UK.
Held at Ascot Racecourse, the five-day event is served by Ascot station, with frequent trains from London and the South. Royal Ascot is as much a cultural fixture as a racing one, with tradition and fashion as part of the day alongside world-class racing.
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Epsom Derby Festival: 5–6 June 2026
One of the most prestigious horse races in the world, the Epsom Derby is the highlight of the British flat racing season. Held annually since 1780, it features elite thoroughbreds racing over 1 mile 4 furlongs and draws crowds from across the UK and beyond.
Train travel to the race is straightforward too, you can take services to Epsom or Tattenham Corner stations and then use local transport or a short walk to the course, making rail a convenient option for racegoers.
City of London Nocturne (UCI Cycling Event)
A returning criterium race in the capital over two nights:
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12–13 June 2026 through central London.
Perfect for urban rail travel and a social weekend crowd.
Tennis – The Championships, Wimbledon
Image source: Simson Petrol | Stocksnap
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Wimbledon: 29 June to 12 July 2026
Tens of thousands of fans take trains during fortnight finals week. It’s a classic rail-friendly event.
Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games - Multi-Sport Festival
23 July – 2 August 2026 — The Commonwealth Games return to Scotland with competitions across multiple sports, including athletics, swimming, cycling, and team events.
Glasgow’s main rail hubs (Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street) make the city easy to reach by train, with many venues within walking distance or short local transport rides.
Athletics – European Championships
Image source: Pressmaster | Canva Pro
A major track-and-field event hosted in the UK for the first time:
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European Athletics Championships: 10–16 August 2026, Alexander Stadium, Birmingham, a major continental meet with large crowds.
This attracts international attendees and local fans alike, with strong rail links into Birmingham.
Cycling
Image source: Shutterstock
- Men’s: 2–6 September 2026
- Women’s: 19–23 August 2026 — Great national road races with multiple stages for fans to follow (places like Birmingham, Manchester, Yorkshire and more accessible by rail).
Why These Matter for Train Travel
These events all share features that make rail a great choice:
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Weekend dates with higher road traffic
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City-centre stadiums with rail access
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Large spectator numbers where parking is limited
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Cross-country travel where split tickets often deliver savings
Whether it’s a big cup tie, an international rugby match, a festival of jump racing, or a summer classic like Wimbledon or Royal Ascot, trains deliver reliability and convenience.
Travel and Planning Tips
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Book Advance tickets early for best prices.
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Compare different departure times; later trains after events can be cheaper.
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Consider split tickets on longer journeys to save without changing trains.
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Check platform and station accessibility in advance, especially on event days.
Get your Railcard sorted before matchday
If you use a Railcard, it’s worth going digital ahead of any big sporting trip. A digital Railcard lives on your phone, so there’s nothing to forget, lose, or rummage for when gates are busy and trains are full.
You can buy and manage a digital Railcard via TrainSplit, meaning your Railcard and tickets are ready in one place when you travel. Handy for away days, finals, and any event where queues move fast and patience runs thin.
Planning your sporting travel in 2026
With so many major UK sporting events still to come in 2026, planning how you’ll get there can make just as much difference as securing tickets. From FA Cup finals and summer racing to tennis, athletics and multi-sport festivals, trains remain one of the easiest and most reliable ways to travel on event days.
Many of these journeys involve long distances, busy routes or multiple operators, which is exactly where split tickets can help reduce the cost without changing trains or altering your plans. Booking early, checking different times and comparing ticket options can all add up to meaningful savings.
Whether you’re heading to Wembley, Wimbledon, Aintree, Ascot, Birmingham or Glasgow, it’s always worth checking your train options before you book. Same journey. Smarter tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which major UK sporting events are still to come in 2026?
Key events later in 2026 include the FA Cup run-in, major horse racing festivals, Wimbledon, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and major athletics and cycling events. Dates can shift, so always check the official organiser pages before booking tickets and travel.
Is travelling by train the easiest way to get to big sporting venues?
Often, yes. Many major venues are in or near city centres and are well served by mainline stations. Trains can avoid matchday traffic, parking restrictions, and venue road closures.
What are split tickets and do I have to change trains?
Split tickets mean buying multiple tickets for different parts of the same journey. In many cases you stay on the same train the whole way, you are just using different tickets for different sections.
Do split tickets work for away days and long-distance travel?
They often work best on longer routes, cross-country trips, and journeys involving multiple operators. These are common patterns for away days and event weekends, where standard through fares can be expensive.
When should I book train tickets for sports events?
As early as you can once plans are firm, especially for weekends and finals. Advance fares are limited and tend to rise as trains fill up, so earlier booking usually means better prices.
What station should I use for Wembley Stadium?
Common options include Wembley Stadium and Wembley Park (for London Underground), depending on your route. On big event days, allow extra time for queues and follow crowd management instructions at the station.
How do I know if my journey includes rail replacement buses or disruptions?
Check live travel updates before you leave and look out for rail replacement notices on your itinerary. Engineering works are common on weekends, so it is worth confirming your route the day before and on the morning of travel.
Can I use a digital Railcard for sporting travel?
Yes, as long as you have the Railcard available to show during inspection. A digital Railcard keeps everything on your phone, which is handy on busy matchdays when you want less paper to manage.
What if I miss a train due to queues after an event?
If you are travelling on Advance tickets, you normally need to stick to the booked train. If queues or crowd control are likely, consider building in more time or choosing ticket types with more flexibility where available.
How can I keep costs down without sacrificing the journey?
Try earlier or later departures, compare different routes, and check split tickets for long journeys. You can often keep the same travel plan and still reduce the price by changing how the tickets are put together.