Nations Championship: A New Era for International Rugby
A new biennial international men’s rugby union competition, the Nations Championship, is set to launch in 2026, promising a fresh dynamic to the global rugby calendar. The tournament aims to provide compelling cross-hemisphere rivalries and a dramatic climax with a unique Finals Weekend.
Format and Participating Teams
The Nations Championship will feature twelve teams, divided into two conferences: the Six Nations (England, France, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) and SANZAAR (Argentina, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand). Fiji and Japan complete the lineup as invited unions. Nations Championship
Each team will participate in six fixtures – three against opponents from the opposing conference in July and three in November. The competition is strategically scheduled in even-numbered years to avoid clashes with the British & Irish Lions tour and the Rugby World Cup, both significant events in the rugby world. Nations Championship
Southern and Northern Series
The tournament is structured around a “Southern Series” in July, where Southern Hemisphere teams host their Northern Hemisphere counterparts, and a “Northern Series” in November. Match points earned across both series will determine the standings within each hemisphere group, ultimately shaping the schedule for the Finals Weekend. Iconic Venues Confirmed
The Finals Weekend in London
The inaugural Finals Weekend will seize place at Allianz Stadium in London from November 27-29, 2026. This innovative format will feature three days of double-headers, culminating in a championship match between the top-ranked teams from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Nations Championship Finals Weekend, Iconic Venues Confirmed
Beyond the championship match, all teams will compete to determine the strongest rugby hemisphere in 2026, with each fixture at the Finals Weekend carrying significance. The ranking within each group dictates the matchups, from first versus first to sixth versus sixth.
Iconic Venues and Global Reach
The ‘Southern Series’ will be hosted at iconic venues worldwide, including One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch (hosting the first-ever fixture between New Zealand and France), Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Eden Park in Auckland, and the National Stadium in Tokyo. Iconic Venues Confirmed
Neutral venues in the UK, including the new Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, will host Fiji’s ‘home’ fixtures, and Japan will host Ireland at a Southern Hemisphere neutral venue. This approach aims to balance team logistics, travel, broadcasting needs, and stadium infrastructure whereas maximizing fan access. Iconic Venues Confirmed
Ticketing Information
Pre-sale for Nations Championship Finals Weekend tickets opened on February 25, 2026, with general sale commencing on March 11, 2026. Fans can register their interest for tickets here.
“The Nations Championship will stand alongside the world’s best sport and entertainment tournaments,” said Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby. “The confirmation of venues hosting fixtures in July highlights the intention to put the best rugby teams and players in the sport in front of global fans, on some of the most iconic stages in world sport.” Iconic Venues Confirmed