Twickenham's Allianz Stadium will play a central role in a new international rugby tournament set to begin in July 2026.

Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR have confirmed details of the first-ever Nations Championship, a new competition which brings together 12 leading rugby nations from the northern and southern hemispheres in a structured, biennial tournament.

It marks one of the biggest changes to the international game in decades and follows years of attempts to reform the global rugby calendar.

How will the new tournament work?

The Championship will feature two groups of six:

• Northern Hemisphere: the Six Nations teams
• Southern Hemisphere: New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, plus Japan and Fiji

In July 2026, the Six Nations sides will travel south for three cross-hemisphere fixtures. In November, the southern nations will make the return trip for the remaining rounds.

Results from all matches will determine standings within each hemisphere group and set the fixtures for a new "Finals Weekend."

The three-day Finals Weekend will take place at Allianz Stadium, with double-header fixtures programmed across the event.

It will decide:

• The first-ever Nations Championship title
• Which hemisphere finishes the year as the overall winner.

The top-ranked northern nation will meet the top southern nation in the Championship final.

The Nations Championship was approved by World Rugby in 2023 as part of a wider overhaul of domestic and international scheduling from 2026–2030.

The Finals Weekend of the newly announced Nations Championship will take place at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium (credit: Twickenham Nub News).

Organisers say it will bring greater structure to the calendar, add meaning to summer and autumn internationals, and create consistent opportunities for all participating nations.

The tournament will run every two years, with Rugby World Cup years unaffected.

Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR have described the Championship as a significant shift in how the sport is organised, designed to bring clarity for unions, clubs and broadcasters and offer long-term stability for the elite game.

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."

"The world's biggest and best Championships are defined by intense sporting drama, and the Nations Championship will stand alongside these.

"The Finals Weekend will add a totally new dimension for fans, and promises to create an incredible spectacle, crown Champions, and act as a catalyst to grow rugby's reach, globally.

"By bringing together the best teams and players in the sport and injecting another layer to the fierce cross hemisphere rivalries, the Nations Championship will take international rugby to new heights."

Japan and Fiji's inclusion is intended to provide consistent top-level fixtures for emerging rugby nations and widen global competition.

A timeline for ticket sales is expected in due course. Supporters can register interest ahead of the announcement here.

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