The Nations Championship, launching in 2026, represents a bold, new era for international rugby union. This biennial tournament is being jointly organised by the Six Nations and SANZAAR unions, bringing together the top teams from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The idea is simple but transformative: instead of the traditional summer tours and autumn Tests, the sport now gets a structured global championship, giving each Test window added significance.
Twelve teams compete in the top tier of the Nations Championship. The Six Nations contenders – England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales – are joined by four SANZAAR teams- South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina – and two invite nations: Japan and Fiji. Beneath this top tier is a second-level competition, the World Rugby Nations Cup, which features another 12 unions. While long-term plans call for promotion and relegation between the tiers, there will be no such movement in the first edition.
The tournament format is straightforward yet compelling. It takes place in two international windows during even-numbered years, in July and November. Each team plays six matches in total: three in July in the Southern Hemisphere, and three in November in the Northern Hemisphere. At the end of these rounds, the standings are used to determine seeding for a Finals Weekend. The inaugural Finals Weekend will be held in London, at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium. There is also a north-versus-south trophy, awarded to the top Northern Hemisphere team and the top Southern Hemisphere team in that edition.
Points in the Nations Championship are allocated using the standard World Rugby system. Teams earn four points for a win, two for a draw, and none for a loss. They can also earn a bonus point for scoring at least four tries in a match, and a bonus point if they lose by seven points or fewer. These points from both July and November are combined to determine final standings and seed teams for the Finals Weekend.
The launch of the Nations Championship matters for several reasons. First, it gives greater meaning to Test matches by replacing ad-hoc tours with a regular, competitive structure. Second, it aligns the global rugby calendar, creating a consistent north-vs-south tournament that happens every even year. Third, it offers strong commercial opportunities; the predictable format and marquee matchups attract sponsorship and broadcast interest. Fourth, the long-term vision includes a pathway for lower-tier nations to join the top level,
though that only begins after a few editions.
However, the tournament is not without its critics. Some worry it may marginalise smaller rugby nations, since the first edition is limited to only a dozen teams. Others argue the early versions risk feeling exclusive and closed-off. While promotion and relegation are promised, they don’t start until approximately 2030. There are also questions about how meaningful the Finals Weekend will feel compared to grander tournaments like the World Cup or Six Nations. For fans, it remains to be seen whether a season-play final can capture the same
excitement as knockout competitions.
For supporters, the Nations Championship offers a compelling proposition: more regular, high-stakes Tests between the world’s best teams, with clarity and purpose behind every fixture. It promises to deliver big events, like a final weekend clash, and could become a cornerstone of the international rugby calendar. If it achieves its long-term goals, it might also help spread the sport and elevate the level of competition globally.
In short, the Nations Championship is arguably the most ambitious restructuring of international rugby in decades. It combines commercial ambition with competitive integrity and long-term vision. But its success will depend on how well it balances growth with inclusivity – and whether fans and unions embrace this new structure as more than just another tournament.
