A new era of international rugby is coming — and it’s going to be big.
The Nations Championship 2026 brings together 12 of the world’s best rugby nations for a brand-new global competition, featuring six rounds of high-stakes Test matches before an inaugural Finals Weekend. Combining historic rivalries, world-class talent and genuinely meaningful fixtures, the Nations Championship is set to be one of the biggest sporting events on the 2026 calendar.
Whether you’re a die-hard Wallabies supporter, a student of the game, or just love watching elite rugby, here’s everything you need to know.
What Is the Nations Championship?
The Nations Championship is a new international rugby union tournament designed to bring structure, stakes and genuine global prestige to the Test rugby calendar.
The inaugural 2026 competition features 12 elite nations split into two conferences:
Northern Hemisphere England · France · Ireland · Italy · Scotland · Wales
Southern Hemisphere & Pacific Australia · Argentina · Fiji · Japan · New Zealand · South Africa
Teams compete against nations from the opposing conference across six rounds, with results determining standings ahead of the Finals Weekend. Every match counts — there are no dead rubbers here.
Nations Championship 2026 Full Schedule
All kick-off times are Brisbane/AEST (UTC+10). Brisbane does not observe daylight saving.
July 2026 — Opening Rounds (Southern & Pacific Nations Host)
Round 1 — Saturday, 4 July 2026
| Match | Venue | Brisbane Time (AEST) |
| New Zealand vs France | One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch | 5:10pm Sat 4 Jul |
| Japan vs Italy | Tokyo Chichibunomiya Stadium, Tokyo | 6:40pm Sat 4 Jul |
| Australia vs Ireland | Allianz Stadium, Sydney | 8:10pm Sat 4 Jul |
| Fiji vs Wales | Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff | 11:10pm Sat 4 Jul |
| South Africa vs England | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | 1:40am Sun 5 Jul |
| Argentina vs Scotland | Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Córdoba | 5:10am Sun 5 Jul |
Round 2 — Saturday, 11 July 2026
| Match | Venue | Brisbane Time (AEST) |
| New Zealand vs Italy | Hnry Stadium, Wellington | 3:10pm Sat 11 Jul |
| Australia vs France | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 5:40pm Sat 11 Jul |
| Japan vs Ireland | McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle (AUS) | 8:10pm Sat 11 Jul |
| Fiji vs England | Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool | 11:10pm Sat 11 Jul |
| South Africa vs Scotland | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | 1:40am Sun 12 Jul |
| Argentina vs Wales | Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan | 5:10am Sun 12 Jul |
Round 3 — Saturday, 18 July 2026
| Match | Venue | Brisbane Time (AEST) |
| New Zealand vs Ireland | Eden Park, Auckland | 5:10pm Sat 18 Jul |
| Japan vs France | Japan National Stadium, Tokyo | 6:40pm Sat 18 Jul |
| Australia vs Italy | HBF Park, Perth | 8:10pm Sat 18 Jul |
| Fiji vs Scotland | Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh | 11:10pm Sat 18 Jul |
| South Africa vs Wales | Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban | 1:40am Sun 19 Jul |
| Argentina vs England | Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estero | 5:10am Sun 19 Jul |
November 2026 — Championship Rounds (Northern Hemisphere Hosts)
Round 4 — 6–8 November 2026
| Match | Venue | Brisbane Time (AEST) |
| Ireland vs Argentina (Fri 6 Nov) | Aviva Stadium, Dublin | 6:10am Sat 7 Nov |
| Italy vs South Africa (Sat 7 Nov) | Allianz Stadium, Turin | 9:40pm Sat 7 Nov |
| Scotland vs New Zealand (Sat 7 Nov) | Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh | 12:10am Sun 8 Nov |
| Wales vs Japan (Sat 7 Nov) | Principality Stadium, Cardiff | 2:40am Sun 8 Nov |
| France vs Fiji (Sat 7 Nov) | Groupama Stadium, Lyon | 6:10am Sun 8 Nov |
| England vs Australia (Sun 8 Nov) | Allianz Stadium, Twickenham | 1:10am Mon 9 Nov |
Round 5 — 13–15 November 2026
| Match | Venue | Brisbane Time (AEST) |
| France vs South Africa (Fri 13 Nov) | Stade de France, Paris | 6:10am Sat 14 Nov |
| Italy vs Argentina (Sat 14 Nov) | Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genova | 9:40pm Sat 14 Nov |
| Wales vs New Zealand (Sat 14 Nov) | Principality Stadium, Cardiff | 12:10am Sun 15 Nov |
| England vs Japan (Sat 14 Nov) | Allianz Stadium, Twickenham | 2:40am Sun 15 Nov |
| Ireland vs Fiji (Sat 14 Nov) | Aviva Stadium, Dublin | 6:10am Sun 15 Nov |
| Scotland vs Australia (Sun 15 Nov) | Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh | 1:10am Mon 16 Nov |
Round 6 — Saturday, 21 November 2026
| Match | Venue | Brisbane Time (AEST) |
| England vs New Zealand | Allianz Stadium, Twickenham | 12:10am Sun 22 Nov |
| Scotland vs Japan | Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh | 12:10am Sun 22 Nov |
| Ireland vs South Africa | Aviva Stadium, Dublin | 2:40am Sun 22 Nov |
| Italy vs Fiji | Bluenergy Stadium, Udine | 2:40am Sun 22 Nov |
| France vs Argentina | Stade de France, Paris | 6:10am Sun 22 Nov |
| Wales vs Australia | Principality Stadium, Cardiff | 6:10am Sun 22 Nov |
Finals Weekend — 27–29 November 2026
After six rounds, the Nations Championship crowns its first-ever champion at a landmark Finals Weekend.
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London Dates: Friday 27 – Sunday 29 November 2026
| Day | Matches | Brisbane Time (AEST) |
| Fri 27 Nov | 6th (North) vs 6th (South) · 3rd (North) vs 3rd (South) | TBC |
| Sat 28 Nov | 5th (North) vs 5th (South) · 2nd (North) vs 2nd (South) | TBC |
| Sun 29 Nov | 4th (North) vs 4th (South) · Nations Championship Final | TBC |
Specific kick-off times for Finals Weekend are yet to be confirmed. Given the Twickenham time zone, expect most matches to screen between midnight and 6:00am Brisbane time. Check our trading hours closer to the date for what we’ll have on.
The Finals Weekend draw and match positions are determined by final standings after Round 6.
Teams to Watch
Australia Wallabies 🇦🇺 The Wallabies enter the Nations Championship with a new generation of talent and something to prove. Home fixtures in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth will be massive occasions — and every result in the cross-conference format carries direct championship weight.
New Zealand All Blacks 🇳🇿 The All Blacks remain the benchmark. Their attacking ability, relentless standards and depth of talent make them one of the teams every nation will circle on their calendar.
South Africa Springboks 🇿🇦 Built on physicality, discipline and big-game composure, the Springboks are always dangerous. Their powerful forward pack makes them a brutal proposition in any format.
France 🇫🇷 Les Bleus have become one of rugby’s most exciting teams — fast, creative, and capable of spectacular rugby on their day. A Wallabies clash against France at Suncorp in July shapes up as one of the tournament’s standout early fixtures.
Ireland 🇮🇪 Ireland’s structured, possession-based approach has made them one of the world’s leading rugby nations. Precise, physical and relentless — they’re a difficult opponent for anyone.
Key Matches and Rivalries
Australia vs Ireland — Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 4 July 2026 🇦🇺🇮🇪 Kick-off: 8:10pm Brisbane time
The Wallabies open their Nations Championship campaign against one of the northern hemisphere’s most formidable sides. Ireland bring organisation, physicality and tactical precision in equal measure — a perfect opening statement match for Australia at home.
Australia vs France — Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 11 July 2026 🇦🇺🇫🇷 Kick-off: 5:40pm Brisbane time
The one for Queensland fans. France’s attacking flair and creative play make them one of the most watchable teams in world rugby, and Suncorp is a world-class stage for what should be a brilliant contest. This is the earliest kick-off of any Wallabies home game — get there early.
New Zealand vs Ireland — Eden Park, Auckland, 18 July 2026 🇳🇿🇮🇪 Kick-off: 5:10pm Brisbane time
Two of the world’s top-ranked sides, head to head at the All Blacks’ fortress. Arguably the marquee fixture of the July window — and a comfortable early-evening watch for Brisbane fans.
South Africa vs England — Ellis Park, Johannesburg, 4 July 2026 🇿🇦🏴 Kick-off: 1:40am Brisbane time (Sun 5 Jul)
A classic heavyweight clash. The Springboks’ physicality against England’s structured approach — this one has the hallmarks of a brutal, compelling Test match. Night owl viewing for Brisbane fans.
England vs Australia — Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, 8 November 2026 🇦🇺🏴 Kick-off: 1:10am Brisbane time (Mon 9 Nov)
The Wallabies head to Twickenham for a Sunday afternoon clash that screens in the early hours of Monday morning Brisbane time. One for the dedicated fans — set the alarm and catch the replay highlights when you wake up.
Scotland vs Australia — Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh, 15 November 2026 🇦🇺🏴 Kick-off: 1:10am Brisbane time (Mon 16 Nov)
A Sunday afternoon kick-off in Edinburgh means another early-hours alarm for Brisbane fans. Worth every minute of lost sleep if the Wallabies deliver.
Why the Nations Championship Is a Must-Watch
The Nations Championship changes the nature of international rugby. Rather than standalone Test matches that exist in isolation, every fixture feeds into a broader championship structure — meaning results matter from Round 1 through to the Finals Weekend.
For fans, that means:
- The world’s best nations competing on a unified global stage
- Meaningful fixtures where every result counts
- A clear, compelling pathway to a champion
- Historic rivalries renewed with genuine stakes attached
International rugby has a new calendar. And it looks like a good one.
Watch the Nations Championship 2026 at the Prince of Wales Hotel Ipswich 🍻
Looking for the best place in Ipswich to take in the action?
The Prince of Wales Hotel Ipswich (POWH) is your home for the Nations Championship — from the July opening rounds right through to the Finals Weekend in late November.
The July Wallabies fixtures in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth all kick off at civilised evening hours, making them perfect for a night out at the pub. The November rounds are a different story — European fixtures screen from late evening through to the early hours, so check our trading hours and plan your night accordingly.
✔️ Live sport atmosphere ✔️ Cold drinks and great pub meals ✔️ Comfortable venue for big sporting occasions ✔️ The best place to watch rugby with mates
Whether you’re cheering on the Wallabies or just love world-class rugby, come and experience the Nations Championship 2026 at the POWH.
Mark the dates. Choose your side. See you at the pub. 🏉
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