Everything You Need to Know About the Nations Championship 

The Nations Championship is the new kid of the block in terms of global rugby union competitions. It will occur once every two years starting with its debut in July 2026. The tournament aims to bring together the world’s top rugby nations in a cross-hemisphere competition. 

With 12 teams from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, teams go head-to-head in six fixtures, all with the goal of being crowned Nations Championship winners. So, with high-stakes matchups and fierce rivalries, this competition promises to be an exciting one.  

Let’s jump into everything you need to know about rugby’s newest global competition.  

What is the Nations Championship? 

The Nations Championship is a new biennial international rugby tournament created through a partnership between the Six Nations and SANZAAR. The competition will be held once every two years with the aim of enhancing the global rugby calendar. The tournament’s goal is to turn traditional tours into a structured format.  

The inaugural tournament kicks off in July 2026. Matches will be played in both July and November with the Finals Weekend happening in November 2026 in London.  

Which Teams are Playing in the Nations Championship? 

12 nations are competing across the Northern and Southern hemispheres. They are divided into the traditional split of the Six Nations sides and SANZAAR, along with invitational teams from Japan and Fiji joining the latter side.  

Northern Hemisphere Teams 

• England  

• France 

• Ireland 

• Italy 

• Scotland 

• Wales 

Southern Hemisphere Teams 

• South Africa 

• New Zealand  

• Australia 

• Argentina  

• Fiji 

• Japan  

How Does the Nations Championship Format Work? 

The Nations Championship consists of two hemisphere groupings with six teams in each group. The groups are divided into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Each nation from each hemisphere plays six matches against teams from the opposite hemisphere. 

The tournament is split into two international windows. In the July window, teams from the Northern Hemisphere travel south to play three matches against their Southern Hemisphere opponents. The reverse happens during the November window, where teams from the Southern Hemisphere travel North.  

For example, in July, South Africa will play England, Scotland, and Wales at home. In November, they will play France, Ireland, and Italy in their respective countries. 

How Are Points Awarded? 

The teams earn points throughout the six rounds of matches. These points determine the standings within each hemisphere grouping heading into the Finals Weekend. 

This means that every point, try, and match are crucial for group standings.  

What is the Finals Weekend? 

After the six rounds of matches, all teams within each hemisphere grouping will be ranked from first to sixth. The Finals Weekend, 27 to 29 November, pairs teams up according to their rankings.  

For example, the teams playing in the Grand Final will be the 1st-ranked Northern team versus the 1st-ranked Southern team. So, the winner of the Grand Final will be crowned the Nations Championship champions.  

Bet on Rugby with bet.co.za 

With 12 nations, six rounds of cross-hemisphere action, and an exciting Finals Weekend, the Nations Championship is set to become the major fixture on the rugby calendar.  

Keep up to date with all the action by betting on rugby now with bet.co.za.