26 stories we're most excited about for 2026 (Part 1)

While 2025 provided plenty of indelible sports moments, the new year promises to deliver its own share of memorable events and historic achievements. This week, we're counting down the 2026 storylines that have us most excited. Our three-part series kicks off below.

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26. Ban the tush push! ❌

The NFL came oh so close to prohibiting the Philadelphia Eagles' golden play last spring, collecting 22 of the 24 votes required to pass a ban. And with more teams using it, and referees struggling to officiate it, a ban will be hotly debated at league meetings again in 2026.

Does the innovated quarterback sneak deserve to be outlawed? Maybe not. Declaring a play illegal because it's boring and hard to stop isn't really how sports are supposed to be governed. But the NFL usually gets what it wants, and it wants to push this play out. - Alex Chippin

25. Redemption for Shiffrin ⛷️

"Redemption" isn't something you immediately associate with the most decorated athlete in their particular discipline. But that's what Mikaela Shiffrin is seeking at the upcoming Winter Olympics. Arguably the most dominant alpine skier ever, the American was expected to steamroll the competition at Beijing 2022. Instead, Shiffrin was shut out of the medals after DNFs in her best events, and she suffered two terrifying crashes in recent years that resulted in serious injuries and open struggles with PTSD.

But the two-time Olympic champion is back to her untouchable best ahead of the Games in Italy. Shiffrin could conceivably claim four golds in Cortina via the slalom, giant slalom, super-G, and new team combined event. Everyone loves a comeback story. - Gianluca Nesci

24. Keeping McDavid happy 🏒

All eyes will be on precisely one team when free agency opens July 1: the Edmonton Oilers. And that attention will only be more intense if the Oilers once again fall short of capturing a Stanley Cup with Connor McDavid in his prime. That's largely because the best player in the world - and perhaps ever - signed a team-friendly two-year extension that kicks in next season with the salary cap set to rise.

McDavid did the front office a favor, but will the franchise invest those savings in the roster around him? And - considering how quickly the quality of this summer's pending free agents drops off beyond Artemi Panarin - will it even matter? - Michael Bradburn

23. UFC at the White House 👊

The UFC is planning to hold an unprecedented event at the White House in 2026. Fifteen years ago, MMA was hardly a mainstream sport. UFC CEO Dana White likely would've chuckled at the possibility of this kind of event.

Now, the likes of Jon Jones and Conor McGregor could be stepping into the Octagon literally right outside the White House. This will be one of the biggest events in the MMA promotion's 33-year history. - Nick Baldwin

22. Kiffin takes over at LSU 🎭

Lane Kiffin is one of the most charismatic and controversial figures in college athletics. Drama follows him wherever he goes. And he seemingly loves it. After a tumultuous exit from Ole Miss that became one of 2025's defining college football stories, Kiffin accepted the LSU job. But now the pressure is on. Like all past LSU head honchos, Kiffin will be judged based on one thing: Can he deliver a national title to Baton Rouge?

Kiffin is a brilliant football mind who succeeds everywhere he goes. The Tigers have all the resources to allow him to take the next step. Will he do it, or will his coaching career be defined by an eventual embarrassing divorce from LSU? - Sam Oshtry

21. Clark's return, big WNBA year 🏀

All eyes will be on Caitlin Clark next season - assuming the WNBA and the players' union come to terms on a game-changing collective bargaining agreement. Clark took the league by a storm as a rookie, setting the single-season assist record and leading her peers in threes. However, various injuries limited the Indiana Fever star to 13 appearances this past year.

The Fever were one win away from reaching the WNBA Finals in Clark's absence. Indiana's poised to make a title push with Clark back to lead the charge alongside Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston. - Chicco Nacion

20. Career slam for Scottie? ⛳️

A victory at the 2026 U.S. Open would put Scottie Scheffler in elite company, joining Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen as the only male golfers to complete the career grand slam.

Scheffler, who's already won the Masters (twice), the PGA Championship, and The Open, will have an opportunity to accomplish the feat in special fashion: The final round of the U.S. Open falls on his 30th birthday. Shinnecock Hills is one of the world's most challenging courses, but Scheffler's elite ball-striking makes him a threat at any venue. - Josh Wegman

19. MLB expansion heats up 🏟️

What's more exciting than baseball? More baseball, of course. Expansion is coming, and fans in underserved markets like Portland, Nashville, or Charlotte might get an MLB team in the near future. Other leagues are adding franchises, and it's been nearly three decades since MLB did the same.

Perhaps the league will even target some cities outside the U.S. like Mexico City or Montreal. Of course, MLB and the union have to get through CBA negotiations first; the current agreement is set to expire at the conclusion of next season. - Bradburn

18. 'Sincaraz' rivalry 🎾

The vaunted Big Three has made way for the "New Two" in men's tennis. Contrasting superstars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner lifted themselves, and each other, to another level in 2025, engaging in a fascinating duel for the sport's most prestigious titles.

They split the four Grand Slams in 2025, including Alcaraz's triumph in an epic French Open final that instantly went down as one of the most captivating tennis matches ever played. The Spaniard is looking to complete a career Grand Slam with the year's first major in Australia, where Sinner (of course) is the reigning champion. The rivals are also the biggest obstacle standing in Novak Djokovic's way as he continues to pursue a record-breaking 25th major crown. - Nesci

17. Will Giannis get traded? 🦌

It's hard to believe that Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly questioning his future with a franchise that's heavily dependent on Kyle Kuzma for production, but here we are. The two-time MVP's decorated 13-year tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks could end amid reports that he's unhappy with the team's direction. With limited tradable assets and an underwhelming 13-19 record in a depleted Eastern Conference, it's easy to see why.

Antetokounmpo's name is certain to become a focal point of trade rumors as the Feb. 5 deadline approaches, and his potential departure would send shockwaves through the NBA. - Michael J. Chandler

The rollout continues Wednesday with Nos. 16-7.

What are you most excited about in 2026? Let us know in the comments!