International rugby has a new competition, and it’s already getting interesting. Here’s how to watch the 2026 Nations Championship, who’s playing, what happened in July, and why the November fixtures could deliver some serious drama.
There’s something about international rugby that club competitions can’t quite replicate.
The atmosphere at Murrayfield when the All Blacks come to town. A packed Twickenham for England against Australia. Ireland hosting the Springboks in Dublin, knowing a single mistake could change the entire game.
Those fixtures have always mattered. But this year, there’s something extra riding on them.
The 2026 Rugby Nations Championship has turned the traditional July and November internationals into one connected competition. Twelve countries are involved, results carry across both windows, and the whole thing ends with a championship final at Twickenham.
It’s a fresh idea for international rugby. And with three rounds already completed, we’re starting to get a pretty good idea of which teams might be fighting for the trophy.
South Africa and New Zealand both came through July unbeaten. France has put itself in a strong position, while England, Ireland and Scotland still have plenty to play for.
Now comes November. And the fixtures are anything but ordinary.
If you’re wondering where to watch the games, whether you need another streaming subscription, or how the tournament actually works, here’s everything worth knowing.
Rugby Nations Championship 2026: Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | 2026 Rugby Nations Championship |
| Format | 12 international teams, two groups |
| July matches | July 4, 11 and 18 |
| November matches | November 6–21 |
| Finals Weekend | November 27–29, 2026 |
| Finals venue | Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London |
| Total matches | 42 |
| Defending champion | None — first edition |
| UK streaming | ITVX |
| Ireland streaming | Virgin Media Play |
| USA streaming | RugbyPass TV |
| Australia streaming | Stan Sport, selected matches on 9Now |
| Canada streaming | Premier Sports |
| New Zealand streaming | Sky Sport |
The championship is organized through a partnership between Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR. If you want the official schedule, results, or the latest standings, the best starting point is the Nations Championship website.
Where can you watch the 2026 Rugby Nations Championship?
Here’s where it gets a little complicated.
Rugby broadcasting rights are spread across different platforms, and what works in London won’t necessarily work in Sydney, Toronto or Johannesburg.
Some fans can watch the entire competition for free. Others need a paid sports subscription. In certain countries, only selected matches are available on free-to-air television.
So before signing up for anything, check what’s actually available where you live.
Rugby Nations Championship TV and streaming guide by country
| Country | Where to watch |
|---|---|
| United States | RugbyPass TV |
| United Kingdom | ITV, ITVX, STV |
| Ireland | Virgin Media Television / Virgin Media Play |
| France | TF1 / TF1+ |
| Australia | Stan Sport / Nine / 9Now |
| Canada | Premier Sports |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport |
| South Africa | SuperSport |
| Japan | WOWOW |
| Italy | Sky Italia / NOW |
| Spain | Movistar Plus+ |
| Portugal | Sport TV |
These are the identified broadcast destinations, but channel assignments, subscription requirements and individual match availability can change.
The All Blacks’ official international viewing directory is a useful reference for checking regional broadcasters.
United States: RugbyPass TV
American rugby fans have a fairly straightforward place to start: RugbyPass TV.
The platform is listed in New Zealand Rugby’s official broadcaster directory for the United States.
That’s welcome news if you’re trying to follow the All Blacks, England, South Africa or Ireland without adding another expensive sports subscription.
RugbyPass TV offers free rugby programming, although it’s still worth checking the listing for the exact Nations Championship match you want. Availability can depend on the competition and location.
And here’s something to watch out for: just because a streaming service shows the Six Nations or the Rugby World Cup doesn’t mean it also carries the Nations Championship.
They’re different competitions with separate rights agreements.
Our advice: Check RugbyPass TV first before paying for another rugby service in the US.
United Kingdom: Every match on ITV and ITVX
British rugby fans have probably got the best deal of anyone.
All 42 Nations Championship matches are available free-to-air through ITV and STV, with online streaming through ITVX.
Not just England games, either.
You can follow Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, the All Blacks, the Springboks and everybody else throughout the competition.
That’s a pretty big win for fans who already feel they’re juggling too many sports subscriptions.
ITV confirmed the agreement in January 2026, securing coverage of the opening two editions of the tournament.
Watch on television through the relevant ITV or STV channel, or stream online using ITVX. You’ll generally need an account for the streaming service, and UK television licensing rules still apply when watching live.
Welsh-language coverage of selected Wales fixtures is also available through S4C.
Official source: ITV’s Nations Championship broadcast announcement
Ireland: Virgin Media Play
If you’re in Ireland, there’s good news here too.
Virgin Media Television has secured coverage of the tournament, including all 42 fixtures.
That means Ireland’s games against Argentina, Fiji and South Africa, alongside the rest of November’s international schedule and Finals Weekend.
You can check the match listings on Virgin Media Play.
And if you’re only planning to watch Ireland, don’t assume you need a separate paid rugby package. Check the free-to-air coverage first.
Official source: Virgin Media Television’s tournament announcement
Australia: Stan Sport and Nine
Australia is a little different.
Stan Sport is the main streaming destination for the wider championship, while Nine and 9Now offer selected matches, including Wallabies coverage.
So the right service really depends on what you want to watch.
If you’re mainly interested in the Wallabies, check 9Now first. You may not need an additional subscription for the matches available free-to-air.
But if your weekend plans involve South Africa against France, Scotland against New Zealand, or several internationals back-to-back, Stan Sport is the more comprehensive service to investigate.
Just make sure you check the full subscription cost.
Stan Sport has historically involved a sports add-on, so the price you see advertised for the basic entertainment plan might not be the final amount you’ll pay for live rugby.
Our advice: Check which Wallabies matches are free, then decide whether the additional tournament coverage is worth the cost.
Canada: Premier Sports
Canadian rugby fans should start with Premier Sports.
New Zealand Rugby lists it as the country’s broadcast destination for the championship.
Unlike viewers in the UK and Ireland, Canadian fans don’t have a confirmed free-to-air service carrying all 42 games.
That makes the subscription details more important.
Before paying, check the current Canadian offer, supported devices, match schedule and cancellation terms. In particular, make sure the subscription includes the actual Nations Championship games rather than just other international rugby competitions.
You can cross-check broadcaster information through the official All Blacks viewing directory.
New Zealand: Sky Sport
All Blacks supporters in New Zealand will be familiar with this one.
Sky Sport carries the championship locally, including New Zealand’s fixtures.
You can check the current packages and streaming options at Sky New Zealand.
There isn’t a confirmed free online option for every match, although selected delayed or alternative coverage may be available separately.
If you already subscribe to Sky Sport, check your existing package before adding anything else.
South Africa: SuperSport
With the Springboks coming into November unbeaten, there’s plenty of reason for South African fans to be excited.
SuperSport is the official destination for the championship in South Africa.
Check SuperSport for the latest channel assignments and available subscription packages.
There isn’t a confirmed free, cable-free option for every live match, so check whether you already have access through an existing television or streaming subscription.
France: TF1 and TF1+
French fans can follow the tournament through TF1 and the TF1+ streaming platform.
With France leading the Northern Hemisphere standings after July, November’s matches have real consequences for its title hopes.
Check TF1+ for local live listings and streaming access.
What about other countries?
International distribution extends beyond those major rugby markets.
Depending on your location, official broadcasters include WOWOW in Japan, Movistar Plus+ in Spain, Sport TV in Portugal, Sky Italia/NOW in Italy, and regional services across Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.
Because those rights vary by territory, don’t assume that an app available in one country carries the same rugby coverage elsewhere.
Your safest option is to check the local broadcaster’s actual Nations Championship fixture listing before subscribing.
So, what exactly is the Nations Championship?
The simplest way to explain it is this:
International rugby already had the big teams and the big rivalries. What it didn’t have was a regular competition linking the July and November Tests into one championship.
Now those matches count toward a shared table.
There are 12 countries split into two six-team groups. Each country plays all six teams in the opposite group across July and November.
The two group winners then meet at Twickenham to decide the inaugural champion.
No complicated qualification campaign. No quarterfinals or semifinals.
Just six matches that determine where your team finishes, followed by one final placement game.
The Northern Hemisphere teams
England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
These are the six familiar countries from the Six Nations Championship.
The Southern Hemisphere group
Argentina, Australia, Fiji, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.
Japan might look out of place geographically, but it joins the Southern Hemisphere competition group alongside Fiji and the four SANZAAR nations.
That creates some fascinating matchups.
And it gives teams like Fiji and Japan the chance to play regular Tests against Europe’s biggest rugby nations as part of a meaningful competition.
For the complete format, see the official Nations Championship explanation.
How do teams earn points?
If you’ve followed the Six Nations or major club rugby competitions, the scoring system will feel familiar.
| Match result | Points |
|---|---|
| Win | 4 |
| Draw | 2 |
| Loss | 0 |
| Score four or more tries | 1 bonus point |
| Lose by seven points or fewer | 1 bonus point |
A team can collect five points from a single game by winning and scoring at least four tries.
And even a defeat doesn’t always mean coming away empty-handed.
A losing team can earn a bonus point for finishing within seven points, plus another for scoring four tries.
That’s one reason some of the July games turned out to be especially important. A narrow defeat can still help a team in the overall standings.
July 2026 results: What happened in the opening three rounds?
The championship began in July, and it didn’t take long for things to get interesting.
New Zealand edged France in Christchurch. Ireland won a tight one against Australia in Sydney. Scotland scored 47 points against Argentina.
South Africa, meanwhile, looked every bit like a team determined to win the first edition.
Here’s how the opening rounds played out.
Round 1 — July 4
| Fixture | Result |
|---|---|
| New Zealand vs France | 34–32 |
| Australia vs Ireland | 31–33 |
| Japan vs Italy | 27–10 |
| Fiji vs Wales | 24–39 |
| South Africa vs England | 45–21 |
| Argentina vs Scotland | 38–47 |
Round 2 — July 11
| Fixture | Result |
|---|---|
| New Zealand vs Italy | 47–17 |
| Australia vs France | 26–42 |
| Japan vs Ireland | 20–36 |
| Fiji vs England | 8–73 |
| South Africa vs Scotland | 42–28 |
| Argentina vs Wales | 35–21 |
Round 3 — July 18
| Fixture | Result |
|---|---|
| Japan vs France | 15–42 |
| New Zealand vs Ireland | 40–21 |
| Australia vs Italy | 57–10 |
| Fiji vs Scotland | 17–33 |
| South Africa vs Wales | 43–0 |
| Argentina vs England | 24–31 |
All results can be checked through the official tournament match centre.
Three things July told us
South Africa looks like the team to beat.
Three games, three wins, and a huge amount of attacking rugby. The Springboks scored 130 points across their opening matches and kept Wales scoreless in Round 3.
It’s difficult to ask for a much better start.
New Zealand isn’t far behind.
The All Blacks also won all three games. Their two-point victory over France was the tightest test, followed by more convincing wins against Italy and Ireland.
That sets up a fascinating Southern Hemisphere race heading into November.
The Northern Hemisphere is wide open.
France leads, but England, Ireland and Scotland are all within touching distance.
A couple of big results in November could completely change the picture.
And that’s exactly what this competition was designed to create.
Nations Championship standings before November
Here are the standings following July’s three completed rounds.
Northern Hemisphere
| Position | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 12 |
| 2 | Scotland | 11 |
| 3 | England | 10 |
| 4 | Ireland | 10 |
| 5 | Wales | 5 |
| 6 | Italy | 0 |
Southern Hemisphere
| Position | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 15 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 15 |
| 3 | Australia | 8 |
| 4 | Argentina | 7 |
| 5 | Japan | 4 |
| 6 | Fiji | 0 |
South Africa leads New Zealand on the applicable tiebreakers.
But with three more regular-season matches left for each team, there is still plenty to play for.
For updated standings as the November rounds progress, check the official Nations Championship website.
Rugby Nations Championship November 2026 fixtures
This is where things get especially good.
The next three rounds feature some of international rugby’s biggest rivalries, including England against Australia, France against South Africa, and Ireland against the Springboks.
All kickoff times below are in GMT (UK time).
Round 4: November 6–8
| Date | Match | Kickoff |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, Nov 6 | Ireland vs Argentina | 8:10 p.m. |
| Saturday, Nov 7 | Italy vs South Africa | 11:40 a.m. |
| Saturday, Nov 7 | Scotland vs New Zealand | 2:10 p.m. |
| Saturday, Nov 7 | Wales vs Japan | 4:40 p.m. |
| Saturday, Nov 7 | France vs Fiji | 8:10 p.m. |
| Sunday, Nov 8 | England vs Australia | 3:10 p.m. |
Ireland and Argentina get things underway in Dublin.
Saturday then gives us a proper rugby marathon, with the All Blacks heading to Murrayfield and South Africa visiting Italy.
England against Australia closes out the weekend on Sunday.
If you’re planning to watch multiple games, this is the weekend to check your streaming package and channel lineup in advance.
Round 5: November 13–15
| Date | Match | Kickoff |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, Nov 13 | France vs South Africa | 8:10 p.m. |
| Saturday, Nov 14 | Italy vs Argentina | 11:40 a.m. |
| Saturday, Nov 14 | Wales vs New Zealand | 2:10 p.m. |
| Saturday, Nov 14 | England vs Japan | 4:40 p.m. |
| Saturday, Nov 14 | Ireland vs Fiji | 8:10 p.m. |
| Sunday, Nov 15 | Scotland vs Australia | 3:10 p.m. |
Friday night’s France–South Africa game is a standout.
On current form, it could be one of the best Tests of the whole tournament.
Then comes another packed Saturday, followed by Scotland against Australia on Sunday.
Round 6: November 21
| Match | Kickoff |
|---|---|
| England vs New Zealand | 2:10 p.m. |
| Scotland vs Japan | 2:10 p.m. |
| Ireland vs South Africa | 4:40 p.m. |
| Italy vs Fiji | 4:40 p.m. |
| France vs Argentina | 8:10 p.m. |
| Wales vs Australia | 8:10 p.m. |
All six matches take place on the same day.
And depending on the standings, this could be absolute chaos in the best possible way.
England may need a result against New Zealand. Ireland could be fighting for first place against South Africa. France might have everything riding on the Argentina game.
No matter how the table looks when Round 6 arrives, November 21 is shaping up as one of the biggest days of the international rugby season.
Official schedule: Nations Championship fixtures
Five November matches worth clearing your schedule for
There are plenty of good games, but these are the five I’d circle first.
1. Scotland vs New Zealand — November 7
Murrayfield, the All Blacks, and a Scotland team with genuine reason to believe it can compete.
Scotland picked up two victories during July and could make a serious statement with a result here.
New Zealand, of course, has its own title ambitions.
2. England vs Australia — November 8
England against Australia rarely needs extra promotion.
There’s history, rivalry and usually a fair amount of edge.
But with championship points involved this time, the result could influence both groups.
3. France vs South Africa — November 13
This might be the one.
France leads the northern standings. South Africa is unbeaten and looking incredibly strong.
If you’re only planning to watch one neutral match during November, this is a very good candidate.
4. England vs New Zealand — November 21
There’s something special about the All Blacks arriving at Twickenham.
Add in the fact that it’s the final regular-season round, and this could be a decisive afternoon.
5. Ireland vs South Africa — November 21
Ireland hosting the Springboks in Dublin is a major occasion on its own.
If either side needs a win to reach the Grand Final, it becomes even bigger.
This is exactly the sort of fixture that makes a connected international championship worthwhile.
Nations Championship Finals Weekend: When and where is the final?
The tournament ends with a three-day event at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, from November 27 to 29.
And here’s one of the competition’s more unusual features: every country gets a game.
Even if your team doesn’t finish first, it still travels to London for a placement match against the team finishing in the equivalent position in the other group.
So second plays second, third plays third, and all the way down to sixth.
The two first-place teams contest the Grand Final.
Finals Weekend schedule
| Date | Match | Kickoff GMT |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, Nov 27 | North 6th vs South 6th | 4:40 p.m. |
| Friday, Nov 27 | North 3rd vs South 3rd | 8:10 p.m. |
| Saturday, Nov 28 | North 5th vs South 5th | 1:10 p.m. |
| Saturday, Nov 28 | North 2nd vs South 2nd | 4:40 p.m. |
| Sunday, Nov 29 | North 4th vs South 4th | 1:10 p.m. |
| Sunday, Nov 29 | Grand Final | 4:40 p.m. |
That means the first Nations Championship winner will be crowned on Sunday, November 29, 2026.
For fans watching overseas, the scheduled Grand Final kickoff translates to:
- United States Eastern: 11:40 a.m., Sunday
- Canada Eastern: 11:40 a.m., Sunday
- Australia Eastern (AEDT): 3:40 a.m., Monday
- New Zealand (NZDT): 5:40 a.m., Monday
- South Africa (SAST): 6:40 p.m., Sunday
Check your broadcaster’s match listing closer to kickoff for any schedule changes.
Source: Official Finals Weekend information
There’s another trophy at stake, too
The Grand Final determines the individual Nations Championship winner.
But the tournament also awards something called the Hemisphere Challenge.
That’s essentially a competition between the two groups across all six Finals Weekend matches.
The five placement games are worth one point each to the winning hemisphere. The Grand Final counts for two.
Whichever hemisphere collects at least four of the seven available points takes the Hemisphere Challenge.
It’s an interesting addition because it gives every match on Finals Weekend a purpose.
Even the teams finishing fifth or sixth are playing for something beyond their own final position.
Is the Nations Championship replacing the Six Nations?
No. And that’s an important distinction.
The Six Nations remains its own tournament, with England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales playing each other.
The Nations Championship is different.
It brings those six teams together against six opponents from the other competition group.
The same goes for the Rugby Championship. New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Argentina remain central to international rugby, but the Nations Championship operates under a separate structure.
And it certainly isn’t replacing the Rugby World Cup.
Think of it as another major competition between World Cups, one that gives the traditional international windows a championship storyline.
For supporters, that means more high-stakes rugby without waiting four years for another World Cup.
Do you need a VPN to watch the Nations Championship?
For most fans, the answer should be no.
The first thing I’d recommend is finding the authorized broadcaster in your own country.
If you’re in Britain, ITVX already provides free coverage. Ireland has Virgin Media Play. US viewers can check RugbyPass TV.
In markets such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa, paid services may be the easiest legitimate option for complete tournament coverage.
A VPN can be useful for protecting your connection, especially when using public Wi-Fi while traveling.
But it isn’t a guaranteed way to unlock overseas sports broadcasts. Streaming services can enforce geographical restrictions, and using a VPN to bypass licensing rules may violate their terms.
If you’re traveling, check whether your subscription provides authorized access abroad before trying another service.
Don’t buy another sports subscription before checking these things
Here’s a familiar situation.
You find the match you want. Google sends you to a sports streaming service. You see a monthly price that looks reasonable.
So you subscribe.
Then you discover the rugby match isn’t included in that plan—or worse, the service doesn’t even have the rights in your country.
It’s frustrating, and it’s avoidable.
Before paying, make sure you’ve checked:
The actual event. A platform might offer club rugby, Six Nations highlights or older international matches without carrying the live Nations Championship.
The country. Rights are territorial. A streaming service carrying the tournament in one country might not be able to show it somewhere else.
The package. Some sports streaming services need an extra sports tier on top of a basic subscription.
The full cost. Check whether the advertised monthly price includes the sports package, whether there’s a longer commitment, and how cancellation works.
The free alternatives. This is particularly important in the UK, Ireland, United States and Australia, where free coverage may already meet your needs.
A little checking beforehand is worth it. Especially when the tournament lasts only a few weeks.
Frequently asked questions
When did the 2026 Nations Championship begin?
The tournament began on July 4, 2026. The first three rounds were completed in July, and the remaining regular-season games run from November 6–21.
How many teams are playing?
Twelve countries participate, split into two six-team groups.
Is the Nations Championship free to watch in the UK?
Yes. ITV and STV provide free-to-air coverage of every match, with online streaming available through ITVX.
Can I watch the Nations Championship for free in the United States?
RugbyPass TV is the listed US platform and offers free rugby programming. Check the specific tournament game and any account requirements directly before kickoff.
Where can I watch the Nations Championship in Australia?
Stan Sport is the primary streaming destination. Nine and 9Now also offer selected matches, including Wallabies coverage.
Where can Canadian fans watch?
Premier Sports is listed as the Canadian broadcaster. There is no confirmed free service carrying the entire live tournament in Canada.
Where can I watch the All Blacks in New Zealand?
Sky Sport is the official New Zealand broadcast destination.
When is the 2026 Nations Championship Grand Final?
Sunday, November 29, at 4:40 p.m. GMT at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Who is leading the standings?
Before the November fixtures, France leads the Northern Hemisphere standings while South Africa leads the Southern Hemisphere group.
Do all 12 teams play on Finals Weekend?
Yes. Every participating nation has one final placement match at Twickenham.
Is this the same as the Nations Cup?
No. The Nations Championship and Nations Cup are different international rugby competitions involving different groups of teams.
Will the Nations Championship happen every year?
No. It’s designed to take place every two years, with editions scheduled for 2026 and 2028.
Final thoughts: November could make this tournament something special
It’s easy to be skeptical whenever rugby introduces another competition.
Fans already have plenty to keep up with. Between domestic leagues, European competitions, international Tests and the World Cup, the calendar isn’t exactly empty.
But there’s something genuinely appealing about the Nations Championship.
Instead of a series of disconnected internationals, we now have a tournament where a result in July can shape what happens in November.
New Zealand’s narrow win over France matters. South Africa’s dominant start matters. Those bonus points picked up months ago could end up separating two teams fighting for a place in the final.
And the November schedule is loaded.
Scotland against New Zealand. England against Australia. France against South Africa. Ireland against the Springboks.
Then a full weekend at Twickenham to settle it all.
If the next few weeks live up to the fixture list, the Nations Championship might turn into something rugby fans genuinely look forward to every two years.
For now, check the official broadcast service in your country, make sure the match you want is included, and enjoy the rugby.
The November series starts November 6, with the inaugural Grand Final scheduled for November 29 at Twickenham.
Sources and further reading
The following resources provide official tournament information, broadcaster details and fixture references.
- Nations Championship — Official website, results and standings
- Nations Championship — Competition format
- Nations Championship — Finals Weekend
- All Blacks — Official worldwide streaming and TV guide
- ITV — UK broadcasting agreement
- Virgin Media Television — Ireland broadcasting agreement
- Rugby Australia — Nations Championship fixtures and format
- South African Rugby Union — Tournament information
- Sky Sports — Nations Championship tournament guide
Last updated: November 6, 2026. Tournament standings, kickoff times and broadcasting information may change. Check official sources for the latest updates.
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