“Nations Championship” – the exciting, new international franchise competition launched by World Rugby 

World Rugby is revolutionising the calendar again, with the launch of an international competition, provisionally titled the Nations Championship, set to debut in 2026, featuring around 200 of the world’s top players. Sporting a fresh format that blends the best of northern and southern hemisphere rugby, this event promises to elevate global engagement and deliver year-round excitement for fans. 

What is it? 

The Nations Championship is a biennial international competition spotlighting the planet’s elite rugby nations. The top division will include 12 teams: the Guinness Six Nations (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales), the Rugby Championship quartet (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina), plus two invited teams (most likely Japan and Fiji). 

These teams will be grouped into two continental‑based conferences: 

• Europe Conference: The Guinness Six Nations sides 
• Rest of World Conference: SANZAAR nations plus the two invitees 

Each team will face all six opponents from the opposite conference, three matches in July, held in the Southern Hemisphere, and the reverse fixtures in November, hosted in the Northern Hemisphere. 

The competition comes to an end with a Grand Final, pitting the top teams from each conference against each other at the end of the November window. 

Accompanying the premier division will be a second division of 12 teams, featuring the sides that qualify through the 2027 Rugby World Cup qualification process. This setup introduces promotion and relegation from the third edition in 2030, underpinning a more competitive and merit-based structure. 

When and where will it take place? 

The Nations Championship is scheduled to launch in 2026, with matches played during traditional Test windows, July for southern venues (e.g., Australia, South Africa) and November for northern ones (e.g., Europe). 

Media reports suggest some fixtures, for example, France, Italy, and Ireland visiting Australia, may be part of the inaugural edition next July, with the Grand Final reportedly slated for London. 

With its launch timed for non‑World Cup and non‑British & Irish Lions years (like 2026), the Nations Championship offers continuity and competitive clarity in the international calendar. 

What teams will be involved? 

Championship (Top Division): 

• Six Nations: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales 
• Rugby Championship: Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa 
• Invited teams (likely): Japan and Fiji. 

Second Division: 

Twelve teams, comprising those qualifying through the 2027 Rugby World Cup process, with promotion and relegation from 2030 onward. 

Why It Matters 

The Nations Championship represents a significant turning point in global rugby. As World Rugby chair contender Brett Robinson remarked, it brings promotion, relegation, and much-needed opportunity to second‑tier nations, elements that have long been missing at the elite level. 

Further, this structure doubles high-quality Matchups in non-tournament years, reinforcing rugby’s international appeal and delivering “50 % guaranteed more crossover fixtures”. 

While some smaller unions have voiced concerns about being sidelined, World Rugby argues the Nations Championship will enrich rather than restrict global opportunities, an assertion backed by the expanded second division and structured progression.