Rugby: SANZAAR and Six Nations launch Nations Championship in 2026

The 2026 Nations Championship: A New Horizon for World Rugby

The world of rugby is preparing for an epic transformation. In 2026, the northern and southern hemispheres will unite in the Nations Championship, a tournament that promises to revolutionize the sport. Twelve teams from the SANZAAR and Six Nations structures will face each other in an unprecedented 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 have been invited to participate in this exciting event.

The SANZAAR nations (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina), along with the invited teams of Japan and Fiji, will represent the southern hemisphere in the new competition. This will be played in the two existing international windows: July and November, against the Six Nations teams: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.

SA Rugby

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. The July matches will see England (July 4), Scotland (July 11) and Wales (July 18) face South Africa. In addition, the Springboks will face Italy (weekend of November 6-8), France (weekend of November 13-15) and Ireland (November 21) in Europe, thus completing the matches against all Six Nations teams. The Finals Weekend, scheduled from November 27 to 29, 2026, will offer top-level sporting spectacle to fans, with three days of double headers 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 and will create an unforgettable experience for players and fans. The top-ranked teams from the Southern and Northern Hemispheres will battle to be named the first champions of the new tournament. In addition, teams will compete for points to decide which hemisphere dominates 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. Brendan Morris, CEO of SANZAAR, highlighted the importance of this new tournament:

The establishment of the Nations Championship is a historic and exciting step for rugby. It will see the SANZAAR member unions, with the addition of Fiji and Japan, face the best of Europe and the northern hemisphere every two years.

Brendan Morris, CEO of SANZAAR

Morris added that the tournament, along with the rugby calendar for the period 2026-2030, will provide the perfect path to continued success. He also welcomed Japan and Fiji to the tournament. Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, also expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament:

The Nations Championship has the power to redefine the future of rugby, and the partnership between Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR signals a tectonic shift in the sport.

Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby

Harrison stated that the strongest rugby nations have collaborated with a clear vision to grow the game, creating a tournament structure with global relevance. The final weekend will add a new dimension for fans and promises to create an incredible spectacle.