The wait is almost over! On 4 July, international rugby enters an exciting new era as the inaugural Nations Championship gets underway. Bringing together 12 of the world’s top rugby nations, the competition promises blockbuster fixtures, fierce rivalries, and a fresh format that will redefine international rugby.
For rugby supporters, players, and touring teams, this is one of the biggest events on the 2026 rugby calendar.
What is the Nations Championship?
The Nations Championship is a new biennial international tournament featuring the Six Nations teams – Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, France, and Italy – alongside New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Fiji, and Japan. Instead of the traditional summer tours, teams will face opponents from the opposite hemisphere in July and November, with the competition culminating in a Finals Weekend later in the year.
The new format aims to create more meaningful international fixtures while giving fans the chance to enjoy some of rugby’s biggest rivalries on a regular basis.
Opening Weekend Fixtures – Saturday 4 July
The inaugural Nations Championship begins with six blockbuster fixtures taking place across three continents, bringing together the world’s best rugby nations.
| Fixture | Venue | Kick-off (BST) |
|---|---|---|
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand v France | One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch | 8:10am |
| 🇯🇵 Japan v Italy | Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo | 9:40am |
| 🇦🇺 Australia v Ireland | Allianz Stadium, Sydney | 11:10am |
| 🇫🇯 Fiji v Wales | Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff | 2:10pm |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa v England | Emirates Airline Park (Ellis Park), Johannesburg | 4:40pm |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina v Scotland | Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Córdoba | 8:10pm |
The opening round promises a feast of international rugby, with Ireland travelling to Sydney to face Australia, England taking on the reigning world champions South Africa in Johannesburg, and Scotland travelling to Córdoba for a tough encounter against Argentina. The day begins in Christchurch as New Zealand host France in the first-ever Nations Championship fixture before attention turns to Tokyo, Cardiff, and finally Argentina for an action-packed day of world-class rugby.
Every fixture has the potential to produce memorable moments as the world’s leading rugby nations battle for the first Nations Championship title.
Ireland Begin in Australia
Ireland’s campaign starts with a tough test against the Wallabies in Sydney. The squad then faces Japan before finishing the July window with a huge clash against the All Blacks in Auckland.
With Andy Farrell’s side looking to make a strong start in the inaugural competition, Irish fans will be hoping for another memorable summer on the international stage.
Why This Matters for Rugby Fans
The Nations Championship is designed to bring together the best teams from both hemispheres in a competition where every match counts. Instead of standalone summer tours, supporters can now enjoy a structured tournament that builds towards an overall champion.
For travelling fans, it also opens up incredible opportunities to experience rugby in some of the world’s most iconic destinations – from Sydney and Christchurch to Johannesburg, Buenos Aires, and Tokyo.
Follow Rugby Around the World with Irish Rugby Tours
At Irish Rugby Tours, we’re passionate about helping rugby fans and teams experience the game beyond their home stadium.
Whether you’re planning rugby travel to Ireland to experience the electric atmosphere of an international fixture, organising one of our tailored rugby tours to Ireland for your club or school, supporting your national team overseas, or exploring exciting destinations like Argentina, South Africa, or Australia, we create unforgettable rugby travel experiences both on and off the field.
As the Nations Championship gets underway, we’ll be following every match and looking ahead to the incredible travel opportunities international rugby continues to offer.
Thinking about your next rugby adventure? Get a free, tailored quote!
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