World Rugby has officially launched the Nations Championship, a ground-breaking new competition that will pit the northern and southern hemispheres against each other in a structured, high-stakes format starting in July 2026.
A New Era for International Rugby
The long-awaited announcement confirms a significant overhaul of rugby's test schedule. The traditional mid-year tours and autumn internationals are being revamped into a cohesive, biennial tournament designed to inject more meaning and drama into the international calendar. The competition will culminate in a finals weekend at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham from 28-30 November 2026.
This new structure replaces the conventional series of tests in a single country. Instead, in July, the southern hemisphere nations—Argentina, Australia, Fiji, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa—will each host three matches against European opposition. The roles then reverse in November, when these teams travel north to play three away games against England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales.
How the Nations Championship Works
A points system will determine the final standings. Teams will be awarded four points for a win, two for a draw, and a bonus point for scoring four or more tries or losing by less than eight points. These accumulated points will then decide the final rankings and the pairings for the grand finals weekend in London.
The finals will see all 12 nations compete for their final placing, with the headline event being the championship decider between the top-ranked team from the northern hemisphere and their counterpart from the south.
This new schedule presents a demanding travel itinerary. For example, England will face a challenging July tour, playing South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina on successive weekends. To ease logistical pressures, it is speculated that Fiji may host its matches on neutral ground, with reports suggesting their clash against England could be held in South Africa.
Broader Impact on the Rugby Calendar
The Nations Championship is scheduled to be played every two years, ensuring it does not clash with a Rugby World Cup or a British and Irish Lions tour. While the Six Nations remains unaffected, the Rugby Championship involving Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa will now shift to a biennial cycle.
In a nod to tradition, New Zealand and South Africa will reignite their historic rivalry with a separate four-test series in August and September 2026, marketed as 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry'. This is planned to continue every four years.
World Rugby is also creating a second-tier tournament, the Nations Cup, for the 12 nations that have qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup but are not in the top-tier championship. There are unconfirmed reports of a promotion and relegation system between the two competitions being introduced from 2030.
Tom Harrison, Chief Executive of Six Nations Rugby, hailed the move, stating it represents a "tectonic shift in the sport" that will "unlock the true value of the sport" and create an "incredible spectacle" for fans worldwide.
