Nations Championship 2026: Fixtures, Format & Everything You Need to Know
The international rugby landscape is set for a significant shake-up with the launch of the Nations Championship in July 2026. This new biennial competition, designed to fill gaps in the calendar created by the Rugby World Cup and British & Irish Lions tours, promises to elevate the global game and provide consistent, high-level fixtures for participating nations.
The tournament will bring together twelve of the world’s leading rugby teams, split into two conferences. The Six Nations – England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales – will form the European Conference, while the SANZAAR nations (Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa) will join forces with Fiji and Japan in the SANZAAR and Pacific Conference. This structure aims to foster greater competition and collaboration between the traditionally dominant rugby regions.
The format is designed to be comprehensive. Each team will play all six nations within the opposing conference, both in the northern and southern hemispheres’ test windows. Following these initial round-robin matches, teams will then face their equivalent-placed finisher from the opposite conference, culminating in a grand final between the conference winners at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, in late November.
The inclusion of Fiji and Japan, outside of the established Six Nations and SANZAAR blocs, is a key element of the Nations Championship’s ambition. Brendan Morris, CEO of SANZAAR, emphasized the importance of this inclusivity, stating, “We warmly welcome our Pacific neighbours Japan and Fiji into the tournament, as part of our ‘team’.” This move signals a commitment to expanding the reach of the sport and providing opportunities for emerging rugby nations to compete at the highest level.
The competition’s creation is the result of collaboration between the organizers of the Six Nations and The Rugby Championship, a partnership lauded by Ronan Dunne, co-Chair of the Nations Championship, as “a transformational moment for the entire sport.” He added that the tournament will “elevate rugby on a global scale” and “usher in a new era of sustained growth.” Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the collaborative effort to “grow the game by challenging traditional ways of operating.”
Nations Championship 2026: A Detailed Overview
The inaugural Nations Championship is scheduled to run from to . The participating teams are Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales. ITV has secured the UK broadcasting rights for the competition from 2026 to 2030, ensuring widespread coverage for fans.
Southern Hemisphere Fixtures – July 2026
The competition will kick off with a series of matches in the Southern Hemisphere in July. Round 1, on , features key clashes such as New Zealand versus France in Christchurch, Australia versus Ireland in Sydney, and South Africa versus England in Johannesburg. Round 2, on , will see New Zealand face Italy, Australia take on France, and Fiji host England in Liverpool. The final round of Southern Hemisphere fixtures, on , includes Japan versus France, New Zealand versus Ireland, and South Africa versus Wales.
Northern Hemisphere Fixtures – November 2026
The action will then move to the Northern Hemisphere in November. Round 4, taking place on , will see Ireland host Argentina, and Wales welcome Japan to the Principality Stadium. Round 5, on , features Wales versus New Zealand, and England hosting Japan. The final round of Northern Hemisphere matches, on , includes England versus New Zealand, and Wales versus Australia.
The culmination of the tournament will be the Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, from to , where the conference winners will battle for the inaugural Nations Championship title. Specific fixture details for the finals weekend are yet to be announced.
The Nations Championship represents a significant step forward for international rugby, offering a structured and competitive platform for the world’s best teams to showcase their talent. By aligning the global calendar and fostering collaboration between key stakeholders, the tournament aims to enhance the sport’s appeal and ensure a sustainable future for international rugby.