Daily Coffee Break quiz: The ultimate test of your knowledge of the year ahead as you prepare for 2026

1. Which long-time feature of AFL games will be scrapped this year? 2. On August 20, West Australian premier Roger Cook will celebrate which birthday (a) 56th (b) 61st (c) 66th? 3. What is 2026 in Roman numerals? 4. HBF Park will host matches in which football code’s world cup? 5. In which two consecutive months will Friday the 13th occur? 6. Which English music superstar will perform at Optus Stadium on January 31 and February 1, as part of his Loop Tour? 7. Daylight saving, in some parts of Australia, will finish on (a) March 5 (b) April 5 (c) May 5? 8. US President Donald Trump announced a UFC fight will be staged at which Washington venue? 9. Most of 2026 is the Chinese zodiac year of which animal? 10. Which country will host the Winter Olympics? 11. The days of 2026 will next coincide with the same dates in (a) 2027 (b) 2037 (c) 2047? 12. On March 2, Anthony Albanese will celebrate which birthday (a) 53rd (b) 63rd (c) 73rd? 13. Clutch the Bald Eagle, Maple the Moose and Zayu the Jaguar are the mascots of the three host countries of which major international sports event? 14. Which Austrian city will host the Eurovision Song Contest? 15. On which day of the week will 2026 end? 16. The AFL Opening Round match will be played on (a) March 5 (b) March 12 (c) March 19? 17. Easter Sunday will occur in which month? 18. The Chinese New Year will occur on (a) January 17 (b) February 17 (c) March 17? 19. Are there more days in the first or second six months of 2026? 20. Which Scottish city will host the Commonwealth Games? 21. Which West Australian city in the Great Southern region will celebrate the State’s first bicentenary with a year-long progam of events? 22. On June 14, US President Donald Trump will celebrate which birthday (a) 70th (b) 75th (c) 80th? 23. Which day will occur 53 times in 2026? 24. At the Australian Grand Prix, a grandstand will be named after which driver? 25. Christmas Day will occur on which day? 26. On September 1, the 75th anniversary will occur of the signing of which Australian, New Zealand and United States collective security agreement? 27. In April, which State will host the AFL Gather Round? 28. Who will host the Oscars for the second consecutive year? 29. Written in the same style as 25.1.26, how many dates in 2026 can be written using only twos and sixes? 30. Which anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II will occur on April 21 (a) 80th (b) 100th (c) 120th? ANSWERS 1. Centre bounce. 2. (b) 61st. 3. MMXXVI. 4. Rugby league. (Men’s Rugby League World Cup). 5. February, March. 6. Ed Sheeran. 7. (b) April 5. 8. The White House. 9. The Horse. 10. Italy. (Milan, Cortina). 11. (b) 2037. 12. (b) 63rd. 13. FIFA World Cup. 14. Vienna. 15. Thursday. 16. (a) March 5. 17. April. (5th). 18. (b) February 17. 19. Second six months — 184. (First six months — 181). 20. Glasgow. 21. Albany. 22. (c) 80th. 23. Thursday. 24. Oscar Piastri. 25. Friday. 26. ANZUS. 27. South Australia. 28. Conan O’Brien. 29. Eight. (2.2.26, 6.2.26, 22.2.26, 26.2.26, 2.6.26, 6.6.26, 22.6.26, 26.6.26). 30. (b) 100th. SOURCES: The Courier-Mail; The Sunday Mail; Nine Network; Seven West Media; Ten Network; ABC Radio; Wikipedia. Compiled by Roy O’Reilly