Rugby is ready to go global

The Nations Championship may be days away, but it has been years in the making.

Created through a landmark joint venture between Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR, the launch of the new biennial international rugby tournament ushers in a new era for the global game, defined by collaboration to realise a vision for rugby’s future, with the sport more connected than ever before.

Mark Alexander, SA Rugby President and Co-Chair of the Nations Championship, believes “a new chapter for the global game has begun” and that the tournament “reflects our collective belief that rugby’s future must be shaped through partnership, not fragmentation.

“It will deepen rivalries and create new opportunities for emerging teams. It is a bold, future focused initiative built on collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to the long-term sustainability of the global game. It is designed to deliver a world-class experience for fans, offering meaningful fixtures, consistent competition windows and a platform that showcases the very best of international rugby. It also reinforces the sport’s core values of respect, resilience and global connection.”

Featuring the 12 strongest international teams in the sport, the Nations Championship will pioneer a competitive tournament format that sees the Six Nations unions representing the Northern Hemisphere, and taking on the powerhouse SANZAAR nations, plus invitational teams Japan and Fiji, who will represent the Southern Hemisphere.

Fixtures start in July with three consecutive ‘Super Saturdays’ offering fans back-to-back action, and comprehensive worldwide access to coverage.

Attention then turns to November, when the Northern Hemisphere becomes the focus of international rugby, with an entire month of action. The second chapter of fixtures build towards the first of its kind Finals Weekend, which will be hosted at the iconic Allianz Stadium in London. Three days of double headers will culminate in one team winning the inaugural edition of the Nations Championship, establishing themselves as the dominant force in global rugby.

Each group of six teams will also be competing to earn points for their Hemisphere, as they make their case to win the new Nations Championship Hemisphere Crown, awarded to the group of teams with the most points during the Finals Weekend. By the end of the tournament this November, the dominant nation in the sport will be crowned, and balance of power between the Hemispheres defined.

“The launch of the Nations Championship is arguably the most significant evolution in the sport since rugby turned professional,” said Ronan Dunne, Six Nations Rugby Chair and Co-Chair of the Nations Championship.

“More than just a new tournament, it is a demonstration of the power of collaboration and a shared vision to redefine the future of the sport.

“The tournament is a key pillar within the newly aligned global rugby calendar, connecting the existing July and November international windows through a unique cross hemisphere format that adds greater meaning to each fixture; with points, rankings, titles and silverware on the line. This means every match matters to every team, and translates into a hugely compelling proposition for players, fans, and new investment.

“Created by the game, for the game, its players and the fans, the Nations Championship stands to be a major catalyst for growth and its inaugural edition this year marks a landmark moment for a sport that is ready to go truly global.”

The Nations Championship will become a key pillar in the elite international rugby calendar but the broader reform to the calendar has also strengthened the foundations of the sport, with World Rugby introducing a second-tier competition underneath the Nations Championship.

The World Rugby Nations Cup, operated by rugby’s governing body and international federation, creates a vital platform for performance unions and Brett Robinson, World Rugby Chair, recognises the significance of a stronger connected calendar and game.

“Together, the Nations Championship and World Rugby Nations Cup will transform the international rugby landscape, delivering greater excitement for fans, certainty for unions and meaningful opportunities for players and teams," said Robinson.

"The impact of these connected competitions, and the collaboration required to establish them, should not be underestimated.

“From a World Rugby perspective, I am particularly excited by what this means for performance unions. The new Nations Cup is an example of the impactful investment pillar of our new strategic plan in action, giving every team qualified for the men’s Rugby World Cup a consistent runway of competitive fixtures between tournaments and the opportunity to maximise their performance potential.”

Fixtures get underway on 4 July, with comprehensive broadcast coverage giving global fans access to follow every moment of the action. For more information, visit the official Nations Championship website.