The inaugural Nations Championship kicks off this Saturday, July 4, 2026, featuring 12 of the world's top rugby sides in a packed day of Test matches. The tournament replaces traditional summer and autumn internationals, pitting the best teams from the northern and southern hemispheres against each other, culminating in a finals weekend later this year.
Where to Watch the Nations Championship for Free
ITV holds exclusive broadcasting rights for the entire 2026 Nations Championship in the UK. All matches will be shown live on either ITV1 or ITV4, and are also available for free on the ITVX streaming service. To access ITVX, viewers need to complete a short registration and have a valid TV Licence.
Saturday July 4 Full Match Schedule
New Zealand vs France
Kick-off: 8:10am BST at One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch. Coverage begins at 7:30am on ITV1.
Japan vs Italy
Kick-off: 9:40am BST at Tokyo Chichibuomiya Stadium, Tokyo. Coverage begins at 9:30am on ITV4.
Australia vs Ireland
Kick-off: 11:10am BST at Allianz Stadium, Sydney. Coverage begins at 10:30am on ITV1.
Fiji vs Wales
Kick-off: 2:10pm BST at Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Coverage begins at 1:20pm on ITV1 and S4C.
South Africa vs England
Kick-off: 4:40pm BST at Ellis Park, Johannesburg. Coverage begins at 4:20pm on ITV4.
Argentina vs Scotland
Kick-off: 8:10pm BST at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba. Coverage begins at 7:30pm on ITV4.
Wales will face Fiji, Argentina, and South Africa this summer, followed by Japan, New Zealand, and Australia in the autumn. Other Six Nations sides have their own fixture variations. The tournament promises an exciting day of Test rugby, with all matches free to air.
