What is the name of the new international rugby union tournament scheduled to begin in 2026?

The new international rugby union tournament set to commence in 2026 is officially known as the World Rugby Nations Championship. This groundbreaking competition aims to revolutionize the global rugby calendar by creating a more unified and consistent structure for international fixtures. It represents a significant step in bringing together the top teams from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres in a regular, high-stakes tournament outside of the Rugby World Cup cycle.

The inaugural World Rugby Nations Championship will feature twelve elite national teams, divided into two geographic pools. The Northern Hemisphere pool will comprise the Six Nations teams: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. Facing them will be the Southern Hemisphere contingent, consisting of the SANZAAR nations—Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa—along with invited teams Fiji and Japan. Over six rounds, spread across the July and November international windows, each team will play every nation from the opposing hemisphere, ensuring a true cross-global comparison of skill and strength.

The tournament will culminate in a thrilling Finals Weekend held in London, where teams will compete for final placings, including a Grand Final to crown the champion. This format is designed to inject new rivalries and heightened competitiveness into the international game, with every match carrying significant weight due to a points system that includes bonus points. Furthermore, this top-tier competition is part of a broader reform that includes a concurrent World Rugby Nations Cup, a second-tier tournament for developing nations, with future plans for promotion and relegation between the two divisions.