World rugby is set for a dramatic transformation with the official launch of the ground-breaking Nations Championship, a new elite competition designed to bridge the divide between the northern and southern hemispheres.
Tournament Format and Schedule
The new championship will see twelve major rugby nations compete in a structured format across the traditional July and November international windows, starting in 2026. The participating teams are Argentina, Australia, Fiji, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa from the southern hemisphere, alongside European powerhouses England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales.
The schedule is designed for extensive cross-hemisphere competition. In July, the European sides will travel south to play three matches against their southern counterparts. This will be reversed in November, when the southern hemisphere teams will tour Europe for another three fixtures each.
The Grand Finale at Twickenham
The inaugural competition will culminate in a spectacular finals weekend at the iconic Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. A points system accumulated throughout the season will determine the standings for this final event.
All twelve teams will compete for final placings during the weekend, but the marquee clash will be the title decider between the top-ranked team from the northern hemisphere and the leading side from the south.
A Vision for Rugby's Future
Six Nations chief executive Tom Harrison has championed the new tournament as a pivotal moment for the sport. He believes the Nations Championship has the potential to "redefine the future" of rugby union on a global scale.
To ensure it complements the existing rugby calendar without causing fixture congestion, the tournament is planned to take place every two years. This careful scheduling avoids direct clashes with Rugby World Cups and the British & Irish Lions tours.
This bold new structure promises to bring a new level of consistency and prestige to international rugby, creating a clear narrative throughout the season and offering fans more of the high-stakes, cross-hemisphere matches they crave.
