A New Era for International Rugby

A groundbreaking new competition, the Nations Championship, is poised to redefine the landscape of international rugby, commencing in July 2026. The tournament will pit the world’s twelve leading rugby nations against each other in a unique cross-hemisphere format.

The inaugural match will see the All Blacks host France in Christchurch on Saturday, July 4th, at One New Zealand Stadium. Tickets for this marquee event sold out within four hours, demonstrating the significant appetite for high-level Test rugby.

Tournament Format: Northern vs. Southern Hemisphere

The Nations Championship will feature a two-pool structure, dividing teams into Northern and Southern Hemisphere groups. Each side will participate in six matches, facing all rivals from the opposing hemisphere. The competition unfolds across two windows – July and November – with Northern Hemisphere teams traveling south initially, followed by a reciprocal visit from Southern Hemisphere teams.

Standings within each hemisphere will determine the matchups for the Finals Weekend, scheduled to take place in London from November 27-29, 2026. The top teams from each hemisphere will ultimately clash to determine the inaugural champion.

“Fans seek to know who the best team is between World Cups, and the Nations Championship will deliver a champion.”

Mark Robinson, New Zealand Rugby CEO

Participating Nations

The tournament will include the following twelve nations:

• England
• France
• Ireland
• Italy
• Scotland
• Wales
• Argentina
• Australia
• Fiji
• Japan
• New Zealand
• South Africa

Finals Weekend in London

London’s Trafalgar Square was illuminated to mark the countdown to the Finals Weekend, with Nelson’s Column displaying the colors and crests of all competing nations. The event underscores the tournament’s global significance and anticipation.

The Finals Weekend will consist of three days of double-header Test matches at Twickenham Stadium, culminating in a showdown between the top-ranked teams from each hemisphere.

Did you know?

The Nations Championship aims to replace ad-hoc tours and one-off tests, providing more meaningful international fixtures outside of major tournaments.

FAQ

• What is the Nations Championship? A new global rugby competition featuring the twelve biggest international rugby teams.
• When does the tournament start? July 2026.
• Where will the Finals Weekend be held? London, at Twickenham Stadium.
• How many matches will each team play? Each team will play six matches in the round-robin phase.