The October 2026 sports television calendar features a dense lineup of international football, motorsport, cycling, judo, and tennis fixtures. Viewers across France and Europe face a packed schedule highlighted by the French national football team’s return to the Stade de France, two Formula 1 grands prix, and the first edition of a new ATP 250 tennis tournament in Lyon.
Football Returns to the Stade de France for Nations League Clashes
The French men’s national team opens its home campaign in the 2026–2027 UEFA Nations League on Friday, October 2, 2026, hosting Italy at the Stade de France. Kickoff is scheduled for 20:45 local time, with live television coverage broadcast on TF1 and TF1+. Following September fixtures away against Turkey and Belgium, this match marks the first home appearance for Les Bleus in the competition. The fixture also carries added significance as Zinédine Zidane’s debut appearance at the Stade de France as selectionneur.
Three days later, on Monday, October 5, 2026, France welcomes Belgium to Saint-Denis for a 20:45 kickoff. The familiar European rivals meet again following numerous encounters across recent World Cups, European Championships, and Nations League editions. French broadcasters will televise the match live on TF1.
European Club Competition and World Judo Championships in Baku
International judo takes center stage early in the month as the International Judo Federation stages the Senior World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, running from October 4 to October 11, 2026. Individual weight-class bouts run through October 10 before concluding with the mixed team event on the final day. At the eve of the tournament, the IJF broadcast schedule had not yet confirmed specific television rightsholders for the global event.
Mid-month, the UEFA Champions League resumes with the second matchday of the league phase on Tuesday, October 13, and Wednesday, October 14, 2026. French television networks scheduled Tuesday coverage featuring Arsenal against Lille, alongside Lens hosting Sporting Portugal. Wednesday’s schedule highlights a marquee fixture between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
Cycling Monuments and Motorsport Across Continents
Cycling fans turn their attention to Italy on Saturday, October 10, 2026, for the 120th edition of Il Lombardia. The race connects Bergamo to Como across a route featuring pre-Alpine climbs and the historic Ghisallo ascent. The start list includes young French rider Paul Seixas, who returns to competition following the world championships in Montreal, where he finished 15th in the road race after suffering late-race cramps.
Motorsport enthusiasts face a busy weekend on Sunday, October 11, 2026, with the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix airing live on Canal+. Staged under floodlights on the Marina Bay street circuit following a Saturday sprint race, the event challenges drivers with high temperatures, intense humidity, and unyielding barrier walls. Concurrently, MotoGP teams travel to Australia for action on the calendar.
ATP Tennis Comes to Lyon and Indoor Courts
Professional men’s tennis adds a new stop to the autumn calendar with the inaugural Grand Prix Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, an ATP 250 tournament scheduled from October 18 to October 25, 2026. The indoor event takes place at the LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, bringing top-tier tour tennis directly to the Lyon metropolitan area with live broadcasts on beIN Sports.
Schedule of October 2026 Televised Sporting Events
The compiled broadcast schedule details dates, venues, and television networks for the major sports fixtures confirmed for October 2026:
- October 2, 2026: France vs. Italy (UEFA Nations League) – Stade de France, Saint-Denis (20:45 local time / TF1)
- October 4–11, 2026: IJF World Judo Championships – Baku, Azerbaijan
- October 5, 2026: France vs. Belgium (UEFA Nations League) – Stade de France, Saint-Denis (20:45 local time / TF1)
- October 10, 2026: Il Lombardia – Bergamo to Como, Italy
- October 11, 2026: Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix – Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore (Canal+)
- October 13–14, 2026: UEFA Champions League League Phase Matchday 2 – Various Venues (Canal+)
- October 18–25, 2026: ATP 250 Grand Prix Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes – LDLC Arena, Décines-Charpieu (beIN Sports)
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