World Rugby's ambitious new Nations Championship tournament will launch in 2026.
A biennial competition featuring the participants of both the Six Nations and Rugby Championship, the Nations Championship could be set to bring about a new era of international rugby.
Here is everything you need to know about World Rugby's Nations Championship.
What is the World Rugby Nations Championship
The World Rugby Nations Championship is a new biennial international rugby union competition which will take place in the existing mid-year and end-of-year fixture windows.
The competition has been designed to merge the participating teams of the Six Nations and Rugby Championship.
World Rugby Nations Championship dates
The inaugural World Rugby Nations Championship will take place in the July and November test windows in 2026.
World Rugby Nations Championship teams
The World Rugby Nations Championship will be made up of 12 teams - the current Six Nations participants, four SANZAAR representatives and two further invited unions:
Six Nations teams
- England
- France
- Italy
- Ireland
- Scotland
- Wales
SANZAAR teams
- Argentina
- Australia
- South Africa
- New Zealand
- Fiji
- Japan
World Rugby Nations Championship format
Find out everything you need to know about the format for the World Rugby Nations Championship here.
World Rugby Nations Championship location
London will be the host the inaugural finals of the World Rugby Nations Championship, with the matches set to be held at Twickenham, the home of English rugby.
