The US Sports Calendar: What to Watch Each Month
Dan Anderson
Updated on: May 19, 2026 / 09:11 AM

The US Sports Calendar: What to Watch Each Month

America does sport well, it’s just a fact. There is barely an off-season, meaning us sports fans rarely go without something to keep us occupied and entertained. When the MLB season ends in October, the NFL, NBA and NHL are there to pick up the mantle. When the NFL concludes in February, the "March Madness" of college basketball is right around the corner, and NBA playoffs right after that. Oh, and don’t forget about the NFL Draft in April. Yes, there is plenty to keep you entertained, but, knowing when it all takes place is key. 

This guide breaks down the US sports year, highlighting the major milestones across the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, and beyond.

US sports calendar

The US Sports Calendar

January

  • NFL: Wild Card, Divisional, and Championship rounds.
  • College Football: CFP Semifinals, & National Championship Game

January is defined by the NFL Playoffs. Another gruelling 17 game regular season is in the books, and your favorite team is hopefully still in with a shot at the Lombardi trophy. While those pro teams are battling it out for the chance to compete in the Super Bowl, college football teams are putting the finishing touches on their seasons as well, with Bowl Games, playoff action, and, of course, the National Championship game. January is officially the ‘win or go home’ month for football fans. 

Super Bowl sports event

February

  • NFL: The Super Bowl.
  • NASCAR: Regular season begins & Daytona 500.
  • MLS: Regular season begins.
  • NBA: All-Star Weekend.
  • NCAA Baseball: Regular season begins.
  • NHL: Regular season continues.

NFL: The Super Bowl

February means one thing: the Super Bowl. It’s the biggest sporting event of the year, and the one day your football-hating relatives may actually tune in. Even if it’s just to see the half time show or enjoy some gameday snacks. The Super Bowl really is a cultural phenomenon.

NASCAR: Daytona 500

Once the confetti settles on the Super Bowl stage, we fire the starting gun on the NASCAR season. The Daytona 500 is the most iconic race of the NASCAR calendar, sending drivers on the 500-mile trip around the Daytona International Speedway. This is the race that all the drivers want to win! 

NBA: All-Star Weekend

This tradition is a fun one for all basketball fans. This is when the NBA lets its hair down and adds a bit of flair to proceedings. Fans can enjoy a three-day celebration of basketball, including the Slam Dunk Contest, the Three-Point Shootout, and a skills competition. Oh, and don’t forget about the All-Star game itself.

March

  • NCAA Basketball: Selection Sunday and the start of the NCAA Tournament.
  • IndyCar: Regular season begins.
  • PGA Tour: The Players Championship.

NCAA Basketball: March Madness

March Madness captures the attention of the entire country as 68 college basketball teams compete in a single-elimination tournament. From the "First Four" to the Final Four, the sheer unpredictability of the tournament makes it a favorite for bettors and casual fans alike.

April

  • MLB: Regular season begins (Opening Day).
  • NFL: NFL Draft
  • PGA Tour: The Masters.
  • NBA: Regular season ends & Playoffs begin.
  • NHL: Regular season ends & Stanley Cup Playoffs begin.
  • NCAA Basketball: Men’s and Women’s Final Four and National Championship Games.

NFL Draft

This is the Super Bowl of the off-season, especially for the fan bases of the worst teams in the league. The NFL draft is a day of hope, with the best college prospects finding out which pro teams they will be playing for, and fans starting to believe that maybe, just maybe, next year is their year. 

MLB: Opening Day

As the weather warms up, the "National Pastime" returns. MLB Opening Day represents a fresh start for all 30 teams, and, much like the NFL draft, this is when optimism is at its all time high. At least, for now.  

PGA Tour: The Masters

The first full week of April belongs to Augusta National. The Masters is the most prestigious major in golf, famous for its green jacket and iconic Amen Corner. It is a tradition unlike any other, marking the unofficial start of spring for sports fans.

May

  • IndyCar: The Indianapolis 500.
  • Horse Racing: The Kentucky Derby. 
  • WNBA: Regular season begins.
  • NBA/NHL: Conference Semifinals and Finals.
  • PGA Tour: PGA Championship.

IndyCar: The Indianapolis 500

The "Greatest Spectacle in Racing" takes place over Memorial Day weekend. The Indy 500 is a test of endurance and speed, as 33 drivers fly around the 2.5-mile oval for 500 grueling miles. This is a true cornerstone of American racing culture.

Horse Racing: The Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is horse racing’s Crown Jewel, and an iconic May tradition that draws the attention of racing fans and celebrities alike. Even if you’re not a big fan of the race itself, there is plenty more going on to entertain you, from the party atmosphere to the extra extravagant hats. Yes, this one really has it all.

June

  • NBA: The NBA Finals.
  • NHL: The Stanley Cup Finals.
  • NCAA Baseball: College World Series.
  • USGA: U.S. Open (Golf).
  • Horse Racing: The Belmont Stakes.
  • Tennis: Wimbledon.

NBA: The NBA Finals

The culmination of the basketball year arrives in June. The NBA Finals sees the champions of the Eastern and Western conferences battle it out in a best-of-seven series, with the prestigious Larry O'Brien Trophy being awarded to the winner. It doesn’t get bigger than this for basketball fans. 

NHL: The Stanley Cup Finals

The NBA is not the only world title to be decided in June, with the two best teams in the National Hockey League competing in the Stanley Cup Finals. Once again, this is a best-of-seven series to determine who gets the honor of lifting the imperious Stanley Cup

July

  • MLB: All-Star Game & Home Run Derby.
  • PGA Tour: The Open Championship.
  • MLS: Leagues Cup.
  • NBA/NHL: Free agency and Summer League.

MLB: The All-Star Game

With the other major leagues in their offseason, July is when Major League Baseball gets to take center stage. Leading the way this month is the MLB All-Star Game, a celebration of the league's best talent. Of course, one of the biggest draws of the celebration is the Home Run Derby, a fan-favorite display of raw power.

August

  • NFL: Preseason begins
  • College Football: Regular season begins
  • PGA Tour: FedEx Cup Playoffs begin
  • Tennis: US Open
  • Little League: Little League World Series

Tennis: US Open

For American tennis fans, the US Open will be circled as the top Grand Slam of the year. This is when the very best tennis players in the world descend on the US to compete for one of the biggest prizes in the sport. 

September

  • NFL: Regular season begins.
  • NASCAR: Playoffs begin.
  • WNBA: Playoffs begin.

NFL: Opening Night/Weekend

The National Football League’s opening weekend only seems to get bigger and bigger by the year. The schedule makers never fail to treat us to some dazzling early matchups, and fans simply cannot wait to see what their teams have been cooking up over the off-season. Football is the most popular sport in America, and it all kicks off here. 

MLB baseball event

October

  • MLB: Playoffs & World Series.
  • NBA: Regular season begins.
  • NHL: Regular season begins.
  • MLS: Regular season ends & Playoffs begin.
  • NFL/NCAA: Mid-season conference play.

MLB: The World Series

The MLB World Series is the final showdown of the baseball season. After six months and 162 games, it all comes down to this. Another seven game series to determine who gets to lift  the Commissioner's Trophy.

November

  • NFL: Thanksgiving Day Triple-header.
  • NCAA Football: Rivalry Week.
  • NCAA Basketball: Regular season begins & Feast Week tournaments.
  • NASCAR: Championship Race.

NFL: Thanksgiving Day Triple-header

Does it get any better than this? Three incredible NFL clashes, with a heavy helping of Thanksgiving dinner. Yes, this is an American tradition like no other, absolutely standing out as one of the biggest days of the NFL calendar.  

December

  • College Football: Conference Championships & Bowl Season begins.
  • NBA: Christmas Day showcase games.
  • MLS: MLS Cup Final.
  • NHL: Regular season continues

MLS Cup Final

The MLS is only becoming more and more popular by the year, and December plays host to its grand finale. All the playoffs are single-elimination clashes, and after a hotly contested regular season as well, the pressure really is sky-high for the last remaining MLS teams. Expect plenty of goals and some of the world’s biggest soccer stars.

How to watch each sport on TV

With so many different sports taking place at various times of the year, keeping track of your favorite league or team can be tricky, especially with all of the different subscriptions and streaming services that are required. That’s where we come in. Live Sports on TV offers up-to-date schedules for every major US league, with game times, broadcast information, and links to the relevant platforms. 

Here are the schedules for each major sport discussed in today’s guide: