As 2025 unfolds, sports fans can look forward to a packed schedule of international competitions leading up to the highly anticipated Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

While the Winter Olympics are still over a year away, preparations are already underway. The Olympic torch relay will begin on 26 November 2025 in Olympia, Greece, where the traditional lighting ceremony will take place. From there, the flame will journey through 110 provinces of Italy, reaching Rome on 4 December and continuing its path with 10,000 torchbearers over 63 days. Key highlights include stops in Naples on Christmas Day and celebrating New Year’s Eve in Bari before heading to Milan.

The one-year countdown to the Olympics kicks off on 6 February 2025, while the Paralympic Winter Games countdown begins a month later on 6 March 2025.

As the world gears up for these milestones, Inside The Games has compiled an exciting list of sporting events to follow throughout 2025.

January to June 2025 – A Winter Sports Spectacle

The first half of 2025 delivers a thrilling lineup of winter sports championships, including Alpine skiing, figure skating, curling, and ice hockey. Tennis fans can start the year with the Australian Open, while cycling enthusiasts can look forward to the Giro d’Italia in May.

Key Highlights:

• January: The Australian Open 2025 in Melbourne, and the Men’s Handball World Cup in Denmark and Norway.

• February: Championships in Alpine skiing (Austria), luge (Canada), and biathlon (Switzerland).

• March: Speed skating, curling, and World Cup events for snowboarding and skiing dominate the calendar.

• April to May: Ice hockey and rugby championships take center stage, including the Women’s Ice Hockey World Cup and Rugby 7 World Cup.

• June: Sailing enthusiasts can look forward to the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 World Cup in China and the Giro d’Italia in Italy.

June to September 2025 – Summer Competitions Heat Up

The summer months bring an electrifying mix of team sports and individual competitions, from basketball and volleyball to swimming and cycling championships. Iconic events like Wimbledon and the Tour de France also headline the season.

Key Highlights:

• June: Events include judo in Hungary, women’s basketball in Europe, and the 470 Sailing World Cup in Poland.

• July: The world’s top athletes gather for the Women’s Euro 2025 in England, swimming and water polo championships in Singapore, and road cycling in France.

• August: Expect intense action with the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Brazil, volleyball in Thailand, and the US Open Tennis Tournament in New York.

• September: The Archery World Cup takes place in Korea, followed by athletics championships and cycling tournaments.