Rugby chiefs have officially launched the Nations Championship, a biennial global competition featuring 12 of the world’s strongest teams, aiming to crown a winning nation and determine the dominant hemisphere. This “watershed” moment marks a significant shift in international rugby, transforming the existing July and November playing windows. The inaugural tournament is set to kick off in July 2026, with top teams from the Six Nations and Rugby Championship, including England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, alongside invited teams Fiji and Japan.
The Nations Championship will be divided into two conferences: the European Conference, comprising the Six Nations teams, and the SANZAAR and Pacific Conference, featuring the Rugby Championship teams and invited nations. Each team will play six matches against teams from the opposing conference, culminating in a grand final between the top-ranked teams from each conference.
This new competition promises to bring more meaning to international matches, increase competition, and provide more opportunities for top-tier teams to face each other. The Nations Championship is expected to have a significant impact on the global rugby calendar, with potential changes to the Rugby World Cup and other international tournaments.
