Finally, World Rugby released the details for the long-awaited Nations Championship 2026, and there have been mixed reactions from the fans for the tournament, which will reshape the global men’s XV calendar for years to come. Japan is the only Asian side included in the Nations Championship 2026 – we take a look at what the format and schedule are.
What is the Nations Championship?
The new international tournament features a cross-continental group of 12 teams: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales from the Six Nations, the four SANZAAR teams from the Southern Hemisphere – Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, alongside Japan and Fiji.
Eddie Jones, Brave Blossoms Head Coach said, It’s a great honour for Japan to compete in the Nations Cup. Consistent exposure to this level of competition is vital for us to grow into the team we aspire to be. The inaugural Nations Cup in 2026 will be a springboard for us ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia.”
The Nations Championship, to be held every second year from 2026 (2028, and 2030), and take place in the existing test match windows in July and November.
- In July 2026, six Northern Hemisphere teams will tour to face the six Southern Hemisphere teams.
- In November 2026, the Southern Hemisphere sides will tour to face the six Northern Hemisphere sides.
- Each team will play six cross-hemisphere matches per year.
- The final standings within each group of the 12 participating teams will be determined by points earned during the July and November rounds.
- These standings will then determine the schedule for an innovative Finals Weekend, where the Championship will be contested at Twickenham.
Details regarding venues, kick-off times, promotion and relegation, and other matters are still to be announced. It should be noted that Japan is grouped as the Southern Hemisphere, although it’s in the Northern Hemisphere.
You can see more here on the World Cup Nations Cup 2026
Points System
All 12 nations will compete for points:
- 4 or a win
- 2 for a draw
- 0 for a loss
- Bonus points for scoring four or more tries and losing by seven points or fewer
Rumour Mill & Criticism
It’s already been confirmed by several media outlets, and the JRFU added, that “Some of Fiji and Japan’s home matches may be held abroad due to team travel and tournament operational considerations.”
Fiji’s fijivillage.com reported that the FIJI Water Flying Fijians will not be playing any games at home and that their fixtures will be played at neutral grounds, “given the logistical difficulties of travel to the Pacific Islands and the ability to maximise revenue at larger grounds elsewhere.”
Fiji’s matches against Wales and Scotland in rounds one and three are expected to be played in the United Kingdom, while England’s match against Fiji will be played in South Africa.
It has also been suggested that some of Japan’s matches will be hosted in South Africa. July is an incredibly humid and hot time of the year for Japan to host games.
Japan are due to play Italy, Ireland, and France in July, and Wales, England and Scotland in November 2026.
It seems as if the Japanese and Fiji fans are the ones to lose out.
Nations Championship 2026 Fixtures & Schedule 2026
July 2026 (Southern Hemisphere Series)
Round One (Saturday, July 4)
- New Zealand v France
- Australia v Ireland
- Japan v Italy
- Fiji v Wales
- South Africa v England
- Argentina v Scotland
Round Two (Saturday July 11)
- New Zealand v Italy
- Australia v France
- Japan v Ireland
- Fiji v England
- South Africa v Scotland
- Argentina v Wales
Round Three (Saturday July 18)
- Japan v France
- New Zealand v Ireland
- Australia v Italy
- Fiji v Scotland
- South Africa v Wales
- Argentina v England
NOVEMBER 2026 (Northern Hemisphere Series)
Round Four (6-8 November)
- Ireland v Argentina
- Italy v South Africa
- Scotland v New Zealand
- Wales v Japan
- France v Fiji
- England v Australia
Round Five (13-15 November)
- France v South Africa
- Italy v Argentina
- Wales v New Zealand
- England v Japan
- Ireland v Fiji
- Scotland v Australia
Round Six (21 November)
- England v New Zealand
- Scotland v Japan
- Ireland v South Africa
- Italy v Fiji
- France v Argentina
- Wales v Australia
Finals Weekend (London 2026) – Nations Championship 2026
The inaugural Finals Weekend of the 2026 season is scheduled to take place over three consecutive days, featuring double-headers at the Allianz Stadium in London.
- The 1st-ranked teams in the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere groups will compete to be crowned Tournament Champion.
- The Finals Weekend will see the remaining teams playing to earn points for their group, which will contribute towards deciding the dominant hemisphere.
*All games are double-headers
Friday 27 November
- Sixth placed North v Sixth placed South
- Third placed North v Third placed South
Saturday 28 November
- Fifth placed North v Fifth placed South
- Second placed North v Second placed South
Saturday 29 November
- Fourth placed North v Fourth placed South
- First placed North v First placed South
What The Unions Have Said
Masato Tsuchida, President of the Japan Rugby Football Union, said: “I wish to express my sincere gratitude and respect to all those within the rugby community who have worked tirelessly towards the integration of the Northern and Southern Hemisphere international calendars. The establishment of this new tournament, featuring the world’s top twelve rugby nations, will further advance rugby as a truly global sport.
Our participation, alongside major World Cup contenders, will be a turning point to dramatically strengthen the Japan team. We pledge to perform in a manner worthy of the honour of competing in this prestigious tournament and will accelerate the evolution of our national team, thereby contributing to the tournament’s success.”
The Fiji Rugby Union’s Chairman, John Sanday, said of being included: “This is a historic moment for Fiji. Being invited into the Nations Championship places us alongside the very best in world rugby. For our children playing on village grounds, for our families gathered to watch every test match, and for Fijians everywhere, this milestone belongs to you.
Brendan Morris, CEO of SANZAAR, said: “The establishment of The Nations Championship is a historic and exciting move for rugby that will see the SANZAAR Member Unions, with the addition of Fiji and Japan, take on the best of Europe and the Northern Hemisphere on a biennial basis.
We warmly welcome our Pacific neighbours, Japan and Fiji, into the tournament, as part of our ‘team’. The participating teams are excited, the broadcasters are excited, and the fans are excited, and we very much look forward to July 2026 when it all kicks off.”
Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby, said: “The Nations Championship will transform the existing international windows in July and November, which means every Test will now count for more than just bragging rights and world ranking points.
This new competition changes the global game as we know it, and from SA Rugby and the Springboks’ side, we are very excited about what the future holds.
Kicking off with Tests against England, Scotland and Wales will provide the Boks with three tough Tests and just the right preparation for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against the All Blacks, which follows in August.”
Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, said: “The Nations Championship has the power to redefine the future of rugby, and the partnership between Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR signals a tectonic shift in the sport.
Rugby’s strongest nations have collaborated with a clear vision to grow the game, by challenging traditional ways of operating to create a tournament structure with genuine global relevance, which will unlock the true value of the sport.”
Ronan Dunne, Co-Chair of the Nations Championship, said: “The Nations Championship, and its introduction into the international rugby calendar, is a transformational moment for the entire sport, and demonstrates the power of collaboration. The tournament will bring together the very best from across the game, elevating rugby on a global scale, but its power to alter the sport’s trajectory and usher in a new era of sustained growth stands to be a hallmark of the Nations Championship.”
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