Operators know the calendar matters. Big moments drive traffic, change guest behaviour, and create opportunities to refresh the vibe without reinventing your space.
2026 is packed with major sports and cultural events that shape how guests gather, watch, celebrate, and linger in bars and restaurants. The smart move is planning your music and screens ahead of time so you’re not reacting at the last minute.
Here’s a practical look at the biggest moments in 2026 and how venues can prepare.
Table of Contents
2026 Winter Olympics
February 6–22, 2026
The Winter Olympics return in Europe, hosted across Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Expect strong interest during prime-time highlights, especially for hockey, alpine skiing, and figure skating, but remember that the time zone is the same as it was for the last Olympics in Paris. The Winter Olympics don’t behave like a single sporting event. Guests dip in for highlights, linger for marquee moments, and drift back out again. Attention comes in waves.
What it means for venues
- Daytime and early evening crowds for marquee events
- Guests staying longer to catch multiple events
- A mix of sports fans and casual viewers
Music and screen strategy
- Sports-forward visuals during events
- Neutral, energetic music between broadcasts
- Make sure you have a plan with curated playlists to avoid dead air during intermissions or between events
Check out our post about the 4 Nations tournament last year for some more event specific ideas.
Super Bowl LX
February 8, 2026
The game remains one of the biggest bar days of the year. Even venues that don’t usually lean into sports feel the impact. The Super Bowl is compressed intensity. One game. One outcome. One emotional peak. Everything before and after moves fast.
What it means for venues
- Big surges before kickoff
- Near-total attention during play
- A sharp emotional shift the moment the game ends
Music and screen strategy
- Build social energy before kickoff without burning it out too early
- Keep audio disciplined and controlled during the game
- Be ready to pivot immediately after the final whistle, win or lose
Check out our big game playlists
March Madness
Mid-March to early April
March Madness is about volume and repetition. Guests come back again and again, often midweek, chasing brackets and rivalries.
What it means for venues
- Consistent traffic over several weeks
- Longer stays during key matchups
- Regulars who notice repetition quickly
Music and screen strategy
- Prioritize consistency over hype to avoid fatigue
- Flexible audio zoning
- Let screens handle intensity while audio keeps the room balanced
- Refresh playlists gradually instead of reinventing them daily
- Consider running your own brackets
- For more tips check out this post
FIFA World Cup 2026
Summer 2026
This is the big one. With matches hosted across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, interest will be massive, even among casual fans.
What it means for venues
- Daytime and afternoon traffic
- International crowds and fans supporting different teams in the same space
Casual viewers mixing with serious supporters - Long stays during matches
Music and screen strategy
- Match-day visuals and country-themed moments
- Lower music volume during play, quick resets after
- Neutral playlists that work across cultures
- Reset the room quickly between matches as audiences shift
Patio Season & Local Events
Even without a global headline event, summer changes how people use your space. Visits get shorter. Turnover goes up. Attention is split.
What it means for venues
- Higher foot traffic with quicker decisions
- More families and mixed-age groups
Music and screen strategy
- Use tempo and volume to support flow
- Keep screens informative rather than attention-grabbing
- Adjust throughout the day as sunlight, heat, and crowds change
Why Planning Matters More in 2026
The difference between a busy room and a good experience is preparation.
- Reduce last-minute scrambling
- Keep playlists from getting stale
- Match energy to the room
- Create better guest flow throughout the day
You don’t need a new idea every week. You need a system that adapts to what people already care about.
Where Control Play Fits In
Control Play helps venues align music and visuals with real moments on the calendar. Not trends for the sake of trends, but atmosphere that supports how people actually use your space.
