This Weekend in Global Sports: Full Schedule and Highlights

As the world welcomes January 3-5, 2026, sports fans across continents are treated to a thrilling weekend of action. The spotlight falls on the PDC World Darts Championship Final in London, decisive NFL Week 18 games in the USA shaping the playoffs, the climax of The Ashes cricket series in Sydney, Premier League and FA Cup football in England, ongoing United Cup tennis in Australia, and various winter sports World Cups. Additionally, regular NBA and NHL games provide non-stop entertainment.

This comprehensive, SEO-optimized guide from  details the key events, schedules, times (in major time zones where relevant), and highlights. Searches for “global sports schedule January 3-5 2026,” “world sports events this weekend,” “darts final 2026,” “NFL Week 18 worldwide,” or “Ashes Test cricket January 2026” lead here for the ultimate international overview.

Darts: PDC World Darts Championship Final (London, UK)

The pinnacle of darts arrives with the grand final at Alexandra Palace.

• Saturday, January 3, 2026: Final – Luke Littler vs Gian van Veen Start: Evening session (approx. 8:00 PM GMT) Venue: Alexandra Palace, London Why watch: Defending champion Littler faces rising star van Veen in a blockbuster showdown for the £1 million prize. Expect high averages and dramatic finishes!

Live on Sky Sports (UK) and various international broadcasters.

Cricket: The Ashes – 5th Test, Day 1-3 (Sydney, Australia)

The iconic Ashes series concludes with England aiming to salvage pride against Australia.

• January 3-7, 2026: 5th Test – Australia vs England Day 1: Sunday, January 4 (local) – starts 10:30 AM AEDT (11:30 PM GMT Jan 3, 6:30 PM EST Jan 3) Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground Highlights this weekend: Days 1-3 fall over Jan 3-5 globally – crucial for series outcome.

Broadcast on various networks worldwide (e.g., Sky Sports Cricket, Fox Cricket).

American Football: NFL Week 18 (USA)

The regular season ends with playoff spots and divisions on the line.

Saturday, January 3, 2026

• Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4:30 PM ET) – NFC South title implications
• Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (8:00 PM ET) – NFC West battle

Sunday, January 4, 2026

Full slate including primetime: Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (Evening ET) – AFC North decider.

Channels: ESPN/ABC (Saturday), CBS/FOX/NBC (Sunday).

Soccer/Football: English Premier League & FA Cup Third Round (UK & Worldwide)

The FA Cup third round dominates, with Premier League giants entering.

• January 3-5, 2026: FA Cup Third Round ties scattered across the weekend (many on Saturday/Sunday). Key potential fixtures: High-profile matchups like Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool in action against lower-league sides – giant-killing potential! Some Premier League games may be rescheduled.

Broadcast globally on ESPN, TNT Sports, etc.

Tennis: United Cup (Australia)

The mixed team event continues toward its conclusion.

• January 2-11, 2026: Group stages and knockouts in Perth & Sydney. This weekend: Key ties featuring top nations (e.g., USA, Australia, Great Britain). Stars like Coco Gauff, Alexander Zverev in action.

Live on Tennis Channel and local broadcasters.

Basketball: NBA Regular Season (USA & Global)

Mid-season action with intriguing matchups.

• January 3-5, 2026: Full slate including highlights like potential East vs. West clashes (e.g., Knicks, Heat games). Check NBA.com for exact fixtures – nationally televised on ESPN/ABC.

Ice Hockey: NHL Regular Season (North America)

Post-holiday games intensify the playoff race.

• January 3-5, 2026: Packed schedule with rivalries (e.g., potential Penguins, Avalanche games). Channels: ESPN+, NHL Network.

Winter Sports World Cups

Various FIS and IBSF events ongoing:

• January 3-4: Bobsleigh/Skeleton World Cup – Winterberg, Germany
• Alpine Skiing World Cup (Women) – Kranjska Gora, Slovenia
• Ski Jumping World Cup – Villach, Austria (Jan 5-6)

Ideal for fans of speed and precision on snow/ice.

Other Notable Global Events

• African Cup of Nations (AFCON): Ongoing in Morocco (started Dec 2025) – Round of 16 matches possible around this period.
• Domestic cricket, basketball leagues worldwide continue.

This January 3-5 weekend bridges holidays with high-stakes sport, from darts drama in Europe to cricket epics in Australia and American gridiron intensity. Whether you’re in Europe, Asia, the Americas, or elsewhere, there’s something to captivate every fan.