What sports to watch now that the World Cup is over

The 2026 World Cup is over, and many people may be wondering what sports they can watch for the rest of the summer.

For all its flaws, the World Cup enticed millions of people and brought record audiences in Ireland and abroad. The fact that the tournament is over may excite some people, but there are definitely sports fanatics out there wondering what sports are on for the rest of the summer.

From GAA to athletics, F1 to golf, there is no shortage of sport that people can indulge in while waiting for the Premier League to return.

Here are some of the biggest events taking place over the next two months to help you get over the World Cup.

GAA

The first of the sport taking place is the All-Ireland Senior Men’s Football final, which is this upcoming weekend, on July 26th, with Kerry and Mayo facing off in what promises to be a cracking tie.

The All-Ireland Senior Women’s Football final is taking place on Sunday, August 2nd, with the Kingdom in action in that one as well, taking on Galway.

The All-Ireland Camogie final will take place the following week on August 9th, between Galway/Kilkenny and Cork/Tipperary, depending on semi-final results.

Cycling

The Tour de France is nearing completion, with six stages left of the 2026 event: One time-trial, two flat stages, and three mountain stages.

Olympic road cycling champion Remco Evenepoel edged Tadej Pogačar in a sprint for the line to win stage 15, but the latter is still holding a slim lead over Evenepoel in the general classification.

F1

The Hungarian Grand Prix gets underway on July 24th and runs all weekend until the 26th. Kimi Antonelli won his sixth race of the season in Belgium last week to extend his lead in the drivers’ championship to 45 points over Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.

Antonelli’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell is 50 points back, after he was taken out by Hamilton on lap one at Spa-Francorchamps. Sunday’s 70-lap race around the Hungaroring starts at 8:00 am.

Football

There are several intriguing friendlies taking place this summer as clubs get ready for the upcoming 2026/27 Premier League season.

Liverpool take on Leeds United in Chicago on August 2nd, before the latter come to Ireland to face Manchester United on August 12th in Croke Park.

Arsenal are also in action in Dublin as they face Real Betis at the Aviva Stadium the week before on August 5th. The Premier League gets underway on August 21st.

Athletics

The European Athletics Championships will take place in Brighton from August 10th until the 16th, and there will be plenty of Irish stars in action across several events.

Golf

The 2026 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes takes place at the end of July, starting on the 29th and running into August, finishing on the 2nd. Miyu Yamashita held off a Charley Hull charge to land her first career major and win the 2025 tournament. There will be plenty of Irish interest at Royal Lytham, with Leona Maguire and Lauren Walsh both set to be in action.

The Amgen Irish Open will take place at Donald Trump’s resort in Doonbeg on September 9th and run until the 13th. Reigning champion Rory McIlroy will return to the Irish Open this year, along with a host of huge golfing stars, in what promises to be a quite memorable tournament.

Tennis

This year, the US Open will take place from Sunday, August 23 to Sunday, September 13 at its home at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York.

Carlos Alcaraz edged Jannik Sinner in a thrilling edition of their rivalry at last year’s US Open, but the Italian will be hoping to claim his revenge and build on his Wimbledon win earlier this month.

Key Sporting Dates

All-Ireland Senior Football final – July 26th

Tour de France – Until July 26th

Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix – July 24th – 26th

AIG Women’s Open – July 29th – August 2nd

Liverpool v Leeds United Friendly – August 2nd

Arsenal v Real Betis Friendly in Aviva Stadium – August 5th

European Athletics Championships – August 10th – 16th

Manchester United v Leeds United Friendly at Croke Park – August 12th

Start of Premier League season – August 21st

US Open (Tennis) – August 23rd – September 13th

Amgen Irish Open – September 9th – 13th