Major Sports Events This Weekend: Football, Baseball, Golf, Tennis and More
August arrives with a sports calendar that demands attention. From MLS rivalry matches with playoff implications to a major championship at Royal Birkdale, this weekend — August 1-2, 2026 — delivers across every major sport. Whether you are planning your viewing schedule or just want to know what is worth your time, here is the complete breakdown of the biggest events.
Major League Soccer: Rivalry Week Takes Center Stage
MLS rivalry week lands on the first weekend of August with several matches that carry real weight in the standings. The marquee fixture is LA Galaxy vs LAFC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday evening — El Trafico never disappoints and both sides are jostling for position in the Western Conference playoff picture.
In the Eastern Conference, New York Red Bulls host NYCFC in the Hudson River Derby. NYCFC enters the weekend sitting third in the East, while Red Bulls are fighting to stay above the playoff line. Across the league, ten matches are scheduled across Saturday and Sunday, with Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers closing out the weekend on Sunday night at Lumen Field.
Major League Baseball: Pennant Races Heat Up
MLB's schedule is packed with 15 games each day, and several series carry division-race implications. The Los Angeles Dodgers visit the San Diego Padres for a three-game weekend set at Petco Park — the NL West gap has narrowed and these head-to-head games could reshape the standings.
In the American League, the Baltimore Orioles host the New York Yankees at Camden Yards. The Orioles have been one of baseball's best stories again in 2026, and a weekend series against their division rivals will have October atmosphere in August. Over in the NL Central, the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers face off at Wrigley Field with first place potentially on the line.
AIG Women's Open: Royal Birkdale Hosts the Season's Final Major
The AIG Women's Open returns to Royal Birkdale for the first time since 2014, and the historic Southport links will test the world's best. World No. 1 Nelly Korda enters as the favorite after winning three times already in 2026, but the leaderboard is stacked with contenders including defending champion Lydia Ko, France's Celine Boutier, and England's own Charley Hull, who will carry the home crowd.
Birkdale's closing stretch — holes 15 through 18 — is one of the toughest in championship golf. With the coastal wind expected to pick up on Saturday afternoon, the third round could produce the kind of movement on the leaderboard that defines major championships. Cut day falls on Friday evening, and the weekend rounds will be broadcast globally.
Tennis: National Bank Open Begins in Toronto and Montreal
The National Bank Open — Canada's ATP and WTA 1000 event — gets underway this weekend with qualifying rounds and early main-draw matches. The men are at Stade IGA in Montreal while the women play at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto. This is the first major hard-court event of the US Open series, and all the top names are expected in the draw.
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic headline the men's field, while Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Aryna Sabalenka lead the women's draw. With the US Open just four weeks away, every match in Canada carries extra significance as players tune their games for Flushing Meadows.
UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Figueiredo
The UFC Apex in Las Vegas hosts a UFC Fight Night card headlined by a bantamweight clash between Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo. Sandhagen is looking to build momentum toward another title shot after his victory over Umar Nurmagomedov, while former flyweight champion Figueiredo has looked dangerous since moving up to 135 pounds.
The co-main event features a lightweight bout between lightweight veterans, and the undercard includes several prospects worth watching. The main card starts at 7 PM ET on Saturday, with preliminary fights beginning at 4 PM ET on ESPN+.
Soccer Around the World: Ligue 1 Returns
Beyond MLS, Ligue 1 kicks off its 2026-27 season this weekend in France. Paris Saint-Germain begin their title defense at the Parc des Princes against newly-promoted Metz on Friday night. All 18 Ligue 1 clubs are in action across Friday, Saturday and Sunday — the first full matchday of the new French season.
In South America, Brazil's Campeonato Brasileirao Serie A continues with a full round of fixtures, including a Sao Paulo derby between Palmeiras and Corinthians on Saturday. In Mexico, Liga MX's Apertura tournament continues with a full slate of weekend matches.
How to Plan Your Viewing Schedule
With so many events competing for your attention, prioritization matters. The AIG Women's Open weekend coverage will run from morning through late afternoon in the UK — early mornings for US viewers on the East Coast. MLS matches are concentrated in the evening windows on Saturday and Sunday. UFC Fight Night prelims start at 4 PM ET with the main card at 7 PM ET. MLB games are scattered throughout the day, giving you plenty of options between the bigger events.
For football fans, the combination of MLS rivalry week and Ligue 1's opening weekend means there is live soccer from early afternoon through late night. Tennis coverage from Canada will fill the daytime hours before the evening's main events take over.