SANZAAR Confirms the Future of the Rugby Championship until 2029
SANZAAR has ensured the continuity of the Rugby Championship, which will be played in its entirety until the year 2029. This decision puts an end to speculation about the future of the tournament, especially in light of South Africa and New Zealand’s tour plans in 2026 and 2030. After months of uncertainty, an agreement has been reached between the four participating nations to ensure the tournament is held in the southern hemisphere. Due to the All Blacks’ tour of South Africa in 2026, and the corresponding one in 2030, the Rugby Championship will not take place in those years. Instead, SANZAAR has confirmed that “multi-week international tours” will be played during the August to September period. It is speculated that South Africa could tour Argentina and Australia, while the Bledisloe Cup will continue to be contested between Australia and New Zealand in 2026. Furthermore, for the first time, a complete Rugby Championship tournament will be held in a World Cup year, with all 12 matches scheduled before the global tournament in Australia in 2027. The calendar also includes the Nations Championship, which will debut in July and November of next year. This tournament will feature the four SANZAAR nations, along with Fiji and Japan, facing the six northern hemisphere nations: England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France and Italy. The final will be played at Twickenham to determine the dominant nation in rugby between both hemispheres.
Morris added that the new calendar is designed to offer fans the highest level of rugby and action. He highlighted that, after listening to the requests of fans, the media and stakeholders, work has been done with the Unions to create a bold and dynamic calendar that offers unforgettable moments every year. The executive concluded by stating that the future of rugby in the southern hemisphere is brighter than ever, highlighting the pride of the member unions on the international stage and SANZAAR’s belief that this new calendar will strengthen this legacy, providing fans with unparalleled excitement and access to the best rugby in the world.“Looking ahead, our joint project is committed to driving the next chapter of rugby in the southern hemisphere,” said SANZAAR chief Brendan Morris. “By collaborating closely with our Unions and valued broadcasting and commercial partners, we have developed an innovative calendar designed to deliver exciting rugby experiences and set new benchmarks for the game in the years to come.”
Brendan Morris, SANZAAR Chief
SANZAAR Calendar 2026-2030
- 2026:
- July: Nations Championship
- August/September: International Touring Series
- October: Bledisloe Cup
- November: Nations Championship
- 2027:
- July/August: The Rugby Championship
- October/November: Men’s Rugby World Cup
- 2028:
- July: Nations Championship
- August/September: The Rugby Championship
- November: Nations Championship
- 2029:
- July: Lions Tour to New Zealand and incoming tours
- August/September: The Rugby Championship
- November: Northern Autumn Series
- 2030:
- July: Nations Championship
- August/September: International Touring Series
- October: Bledisloe Cup
- November: Nations Championship
