SANZAAR Confirms The Rugby Championship’s Future 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 after the tour plans of South Africa and New Zealand in 2026 and 2030, which had generated uncertainty. After negotiations between the four participating nations, an agreement has been reached that guarantees the tournament will be held in the southern hemisphere. Given the All Blacks’ tour to South Africa in 2026 and their counterpart 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-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. An important milestone will be the celebration of a complete Rugby Championship tournament in a World Cup year, with the 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. The tournament will feature the four SANZAAR nations, plus Fiji and Japan, competing against the six northern hemisphere nations: England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, and Italy. The final will be played at Twickenham to determine the dominant nation between both hemispheres.
Morris added: “This new calendar for Southern Hemisphere rugby is about giving fans the highest level of rugby and world-class action. In fact, after listening to what the supporters, broadcasters, and our stakeholders want, we have worked with the unions to create a bold and dynamic program designed to deliver unforgettable moments every year.” “It’s a new dawn for Southern Hemisphere rugby, and we can’t wait for our fans to be part of this exciting journey. The future of rugby in the Southern Hemisphere is brighter than ever. Our member unions have a proud history on the international stage and SANZAAR believes this new schedule will help strengthen this record, while offering fans 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,” stated 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 coming years.”
Brendan Morris, SANZAAR chief
SANZAAR Calendar 2026-2030
- 2026:
- July: Nations Championship
- August/September: International Tour Series
- October: Bledisloe Cup
- November: Nations Championship
- 2027:
- July/August: The Rugby Championship
- October/November: 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 Tour Series
- October: Bledisloe Cup
- November: Nations Championship
