Rugby: SANZAAR and Six Nations launch Nations Championship in 2026

The Nations Championship: A Clash of Hemispheres in 2026

The world of rugby is preparing for an unprecedented event. In 2026, the northern and southern hemispheres will unite in the new Nations Championship, a tournament that promises to revolutionize the sport. Twelve teams from the SANZAAR and Six Nations structures will compete in a global competition. The South African Rugby Federation (SA Rugby) announced that the Springboks will host England, Wales, and Scotland in July of next year. In addition, teams like Japan and Fiji were invited to participate in this spectacle. The SANZAAR nations, including South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina, along with the invited teams from Japan and Fiji, will represent the southern hemisphere in this new competition. The tournament will be played in the existing July and November international windows, against the Six Nations teams: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. After six rounds, the Nations Championship will culminate in a unique finals weekend, to be held at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, London, in November 2026. South Africa will face England (July 4), Scotland (July 11) and Wales (July 18) at home. In addition, the Springboks will play against Italy (weekend of November 6-8), France (weekend of November 13-15) and Ireland (November 21) in Europe to complete the matches against all Six Nations teams. The Finals Weekend, scheduled for November 27-29, 2026, will offer world-class sports entertainment to fans, with three days of doubleheaders at the Allianz Stadium in London. This completely new concept for rugby union will add a dramatic climax to the tournament, where every match matters for each team, creating an unforgettable experience for players and fans. The top-ranked teams from the southern and northern hemispheres will fight to be named the first champion of the new tournament. In addition, the teams will compete to earn points for their group and decide the dominant hemisphere in the sport that year.

The 12 nations will compete for points: four for a win, two for a draw, zero for a loss, and bonus points for scoring four or more tries and losing by seven points or less. These points will determine the ranking in their respective groups and, ultimately, the match schedule for the final weekend.

The establishment of the Nations Championship is a historic and exciting step for rugby.

Brendan Morris, CEO of SANZAAR

Brendan Morris, CEO of SANZAAR, expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament, highlighting the importance of this initiative for rugby. “SANZAAR nations have a proud and successful international record. Our goal is to continue this legacy, and the Nations Championship, along with our rugby calendar for the 2026-2030 period, will provide the perfect path to continued success. We warmly welcome our Pacific neighbors, Japan and Fiji, to the tournament, as part of our ‘team’. The participating teams are excited, the broadcasters are excited, and the fans are excited, and we look forward to July 2026, when it all begins.”

The Nations Championship has the power to redefine the future of rugby.

Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby

Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, also shared his vision for the tournament, highlighting its potential to transform the sport. “The strongest rugby nations have collaborated with a clear vision to grow the game, challenging traditional ways of operating to create a tournament structure with genuine global relevance, which will unlock the true value of the sport. The biggest and best championships in the world are defined by intense sporting drama, and the Nations Championship will live up to these. The final weekend will add a whole new dimension for fans and promises to create an incredible spectacle, crown the champions and act as a catalyst to expand the reach of rugby worldwide.”