How the tournament will work

This new tournament will sit alongside existing major competitions and aims to redefine the global rugby calendar. So how does it work, who is involved, and what key fixtures should fans mark in their calendars? 

Teams will play six matches in total:
Three fixtures in July (southern hemisphere window)
Three fixtures in November (northern hemisphere window) 

Every team plays opponents from the opposite hemisphere, but competes against teams in its own hemisphere for positions in the league table. 

The standard World Rugby points system will apply:
Win – 4 points
Draw – 2 points
Bonus Points – 1 (scoring 4+ tries or losing by ≤7). 

Finals Weekend 

The 2026 edition will conclude with an inaugural three-day Finals Weekend at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium, featuring cross-hemisphere playoff matches based on standings. 

Friday 27th November 
Sixth-place North v Sixth-place South
Third-place North v Third-place South 

Saturday 28th November  
Fifth-place North v Fifth-place South
Second-place North v Second-place South 

Sunday 29th November 
Fourth-place North v Fourth-place South
First-place North v First-place South  

Which teams are involved?

Northern hemisphere 
England
Ireland
France
Scotland
Wales 

Southern hemisphere 
South Africa
New Zealand
Australia
Argentina
Fiji
Japan 

So, how do these teams look on paper? BBC Sport’s recent article on the new competition had the following to say. 

“Southern hemisphere teams have won nine of the 10 men’s Rugby World Cups, with England’s victory in 2003 a solitary success for the north. However, the world rankings are split more evenly – with five teams from each hemisphere in the top 10.”  

Even though the southern hemisphere sides fare well in tournament Rugby, we could see closer games and results with more frequent unpredictable outcomes.  

Full 2026 Rugby Nations Championship Fixtures

July window 

4 July
New Zealand v France
Japan v Italy
South Africa v England
Australia v Ireland
Fiji v Wales
Argentina v Scotland 

11 July
New Zealand v Italy
Japan v Ireland
South Africa v Scotland
Australia v France
Fiji v England
Argentina v Wales 

18 July
Japan v France
Australia v Italy
South Africa v Wales
New Zealand v Ireland
Fiji v Scotland
Argentina v England 

November window 

6-8 November
Ireland v Argentina
Scotland v New Zealand
France v Fiji
Italy v South Africa
Wales v Japan
England v Australia 

13-15 November
France v South Africa
Wales v New Zealand
Ireland v Fiji
Italy v Argentina
England v Japan
Scotland v Australia 

21 November
England v New Zealand
Ireland v South Africa
France v Argentina
Scotland v Japan
Italy v Fiji
Wales v Australia

Finals Weekend 

Friday 27th November
Sixth-place North v Sixth-place South
Third-place North v Third-place South 

Saturday 28th November
Fifth-place North v Fifth-place South
Second-place North v Second-place South 

Sunday 29th November
Fourth-place North v Fourth-place South
First-place North v First-place South 

Why is this changing happening?

Like many innovations in global sport, the Rugby Nations Championship is driven by a combination of commercial opportunity and a desire to create a more meaningful, structured international calendar. 

It mirrors changes in other sports: 

Football’s UEFA Nations League
Cricket’s World Test Championship 

These competitions have boosted broadcast value, increased competitive fixtures, and provided emerging nations with more opportunities. These are outcomes World Rugby hopes to replicate with the Rugby Nations Championship. 

One question to ask is, do fans enjoy these changes? Qualitative evidence suggests that the average fan isn’t fussed.  

We often see through the positive marketing spin from the governing organisation, but (speaking personally) I do enjoy seeing the best players and teams in the world competing on a more frequent basis.  

Who are the winners and losers of the Rugby Nations Championship?

Winners

Rugby Fans: A meaningful structure, clearer calendar, and blockbuster finals weekend. 

Japan & Fiji: Guaranteed annual fixtures against the world’s elite, accelerating their development. 

The Sport Itself: Better storytelling, consistent global narratives, and commercial growth opportunities. 

World Rugby: This competition gives them a tool to entice sponsors and grow their foothold.  

Losers 

Georgia & Samoa: Both have strong recent performances but miss out on the initial top 12 selection. Georgia, ranked as high as 11th recently, still sits outside this premier competition. 

Emerging Nations: Although World Rugby promises more Tests for tier 2 nations, the gap between the chosen 12 and the chasing pack may widen without promotion/relegation until 2030. 

A new era of International Rugby

As experts in premium sporting experiences, we are excited for the opportunities this new competition will offer to Rugby fans. 

This new competition is set to transform how fans follow international rugby. With predictable windows, high-quality fixtures, and global travel opportunities, the Rugby Nations Championship could become a centrepiece of the sporting calendar. 

For travelling supporters, the opportunity to visit destinations like Japan, Fiji, New Zealand, South Africa, France, and Italy adds even more excitement. 

To learn more about experiences and opportunities surrounding the Rugby Nations Championship, contact our team for tailored hospitality and travel advice.