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Rugby’s Nations Championship: 2026 Explained
New rugby competition unites northern and southern teams for 2026.
In brief
New rugby competition unites northern and southern teams for 2026. Rugby’s Nations Championship features 12 teams split into northern and southern groups with finals in London on November 29, 2026. Originally reported by Rugby World.
Quick answers
- What is the Nations Championship?
- The Nations Championship is a biennial international tournament featuring 12 teams, six from the northern hemisphere and six from the southern hemisphere.
- Which teams compete?
- The Six Nations sides (England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Wales), the four Rugby Championship teams (New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina), plus two invitational teams in Japan and Fiji.
- When are games played?
- July fixtures: Saturday 4 July to Saturday 18 July 2026. November fixtures: Friday 6 November to Saturday 21 November 2026.
- How does the format work?
- Northern hemisphere teams form the ‘Europe’ group and southern hemisphere teams are the ‘Rest of the World’ group. Teams play three opponents in each window.
- Where can I watch?
- UK: ITV (free), Ireland: Virgin Media (free), France: TF1 (free), Australia: Nine Network (free), others: paywalls.
What is the Nations Championship?
The Nations Championship is a biennial international tournament featuring 12 teams, six from the northern hemisphere and six from the southern hemisphere.
Which teams compete?
The Six Nations sides (England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Wales), the four Rugby Championship teams (New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina), plus two invitational teams in Japan and Fiji.
When are games played?
July fixtures: Saturday 4 July to Saturday 18 July 2026. November fixtures: Friday 6 November to Saturday 21 November 2026.
How does the format work?
Northern hemisphere teams form the ‘Europe’ group and southern hemisphere teams are the ‘Rest of the World’ group. Teams play three opponents in each window.
Where can I watch?
UK: ITV (free), Ireland: Virgin Media (free), France: TF1 (free), Australia: Nine Network (free), others: paywalls.
Why did Fiji play in the UK?
Fiji’s rugby ground in Suva doesn’t meet competition requirements and can only hold 15,000 people.
Fiji’s UK games
Fiji played Wales in Cardiff, England, and faced England at Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Fiji Rugby chairman’s view
Fiji Rugby chairman John Sanday says playing home games in the UK brings economic windfall revenue.
Southern Hemisphere results
Round 1: New Zealand 34 v 32 France, Japan 27 v 10 Italy, Australia 31 v 33 Ireland, Fiji 24 v 39 Wales, South Africa 45 v 21 England, Argentina 38 v 47 Scotland.
How do you win?
After November fixtures, teams play finals weekend at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, with winners crowned on November 29.
Why did Ireland play in Australia?
Ireland faced Japan in Newcastle, Australia, to avoid travel for Japan’s team.
Japan coach’s comment
Japan coach Eddie Jones said Ireland having power at World Rugby forced them to play in Australia.
Nations Cup
12 teams compete in second-tier Nations Cup with pools for Americas and Pacific, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Promotion and relegation?
World Rugby says promotion and relegation may start from 2030.
World rankings?
Nations Championship Tests count towards world rankings with South Africa as number one.
Finals weekend
Finals weekend: Friday 27 November to Sunday 29 November at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
The essence
Rugby’s Nations Championship features 12 teams split into northern and southern groups with finals in London on November 29, 2026.
