May doesn't wait. By the time the month is out, champions will be crowned, seasons will be over, and a handful of matches will have defined entire careers. The Champions League and Europa League semifinals reach their decisive return legs, while the Conference League serves up its own knockout drama. Domestically, the Premier League title race goes down to the wire, with late-season clashes still shaping European qualification spots across all five major leagues. Here's everything you need to follow — and bet on — in May 2026. [banner][/banner]
Major Upcoming Football Fixtures in May 2026
The chase for silverware is nearing its climax with the finals of the top three European competitions taking place. Below we explore the pairings in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
Champions League
Bayern and PSG have produced one of the most memorable displays in the first leg. PSG won 5-4, but the return leg will be played in Munich. The match between Atletico and Arsenal ended in a 1-1 draw. Arsenal have an advantage playing at the Emirates.
- Bayern Munich vs PSG - May 6.
- Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid - May 5.
Europa League
The Europa League semifinals are underway. Aston Villa, the main favourites to win the title, will play Nottingham Forest. Freiburg will take on Braga. Both ties are finely balanced and well worth following.
- Freiburg vs Braga - May 7.
- Aston Villa vs Nottingham - May 7.
Conference League
The third-tier tournament in Europe will see Crystal Palace playing against Shakhtar, while Strasbourg face Rayo Vallecano. Strasbourg overcame a 2-0 deficit to beat Mainz in the quarterfinals, while Crystal Palace beat Fiorentina (4-2 on aggregate).
- Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk - May 7.
- Strasbourg vs Rayo Vallecano - May 7.
Top European Competitions in May 2026
The top 5 European leagues are slowly approaching the end. Still, the intrigue exists in some of them.
Premier League
The title race in the Premier League saw a surprising turn. While Arsenal were considered heavy favourites to win the trophy, now they have only 3 points more than City, while the latter have a game in hand. This fragile lead will keep things interesting till the very last game. We could see the potential conclusion, where, if both teams win their respective matches, the winner might be decided by goal difference. Don’t forget to follow the matches in May.
- Manchester United vs Liverpool - May 3.
- Liverpool vs Chelsea - May 9.
- Manchester City vs Aston Villa - May 24.
Bundesliga
Bayern have been crowned champions of the Bundesliga. Now they are chasing records, having already scored 113 goals in 31 matches. Dortmund (currently 2nd in the standings) have also qualified for the Champions League. Hoffenheim, Stuttgart and Leverkusen will compete for the fourth and final spot.
- Gladbach vs Dortmund - May 3.
- Stuttgart vs Bayer Leverkusen - May 9.
- Wolfsburg vs Bayern Munich - May 9.
Serie A
Inter need a single win to claim the title in Serie A. After 34 rounds, they have 79 points, while Napoli come next with 69. Como under Cesc Fabregas maintain chances of entering the top four, which would see them in the 2026/27 Champions League. As for the most-anticipated games, have a look at the fixtures below.
- Roma vs Fiorentina - May 4.
- Milan vs Atalanta - May 10.
- Roma vs Lazio - May 17.
La Liga
Barcelona have gained a significant advantage in the title race. Real Madrid (2nd) are trailing the Blaugrana by 11 points, while Villarreal are also guaranteed to play in the Champions League next season. Surprisingly, Mallorca forward Vedat Muriqi sits second with 21 goals in te standings for La Liga topscorer and still has a chance to win the Pichichi Trophy. Muriqi has been one of the most prolific forwards this season. However, Kylian Mbappé still leads the charts with 24 goals. These matches are the standout matches in LaLiga:
- Barcelona vs Real Madrid - May 10.
- Barcelona vs Betis - May 17.
- Real Madrid vs Athletic Club - May 24.
Ligue 1
PSG are closing on another title, having 69 points after 30 rounds. Lens sit second with 63 and are almost guaranteed to secure a spot for the upcoming Champions League. Lyon have also entered the top three, but they are tied with Lille (57 points). Marseille are in danger of missing out on the Champions League zone. Here are the top three matches in May.
- Monaco vs Lille - May 10.
- Lens vs PSG - May 13.
- Lyon vs Lens - May 17.
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Additional Sports Events to Consider
Alongside football, we should not overlook the following events. Make sure you also keep track of other sports in May.
2026 French Open
The 2026 French Open will take place from May 18 to June 7, 2026, at the iconic Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France. As the second Grand Slam of the ATP Tour and WTA season, it is the premier clay-court championship, known for its physical intensity and tactical battles. The tournament plays a crucial role in defining the season’s best clay-court player and shaping rankings. With defending champion Carlos Alcaraz absent due to wrist injury, the 2026 edition promises fierce competition for the title. In his absence, Jannik Sinner is the outspoken favorite to win, but he will have to deal with strong contenders like Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic. Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek are the most likely names to dominate the women’s tournament.
2026 Miami Grand Prix
The 2026 Miami Grand Prix is set to take place from May 1 to May 3 at the Miami International Autodrome, a fast and technical street-style circuit built around Hard Rock Stadium. As part of the Formula One calendar, the race plays a crucial role early in the season, often shaping momentum in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. With its mix of long straights and tight corners, overtaking opportunities and tire strategy become decisive factors. The event also highlights Formula One’s growing presence in the United States, combining high-speed action with a glamorous atmosphere.
UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland
UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland takes place on May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. This event is headlined by undefeated middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev defending his title against former champion Sean Strickland in a high-stakes rematch after their previous draw. The clash will decide the true king of the middleweight division, settling a heated rivalry fueled by intense personal animosity and trash talk. [faq][/faq]