Summer Internationals 2026
The traditional summer rugby tours undertaken by the home unions will give way to the launch of the new 'Nations Championship' in 2026. The competition will consist of six rounds of matches plus a finals weekend, split across the Summer and Autumn Internationals.
Played every two years – in between Rugby World Cup and Lions Tour years – the tournament features two groups of teams competing in a Northern vs Southern Hemisphere format.
The Northern Hemisphere will be represented by England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales (the Six Nations teams), while the Southern Hemisphere group includes South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina (the SANZAAR nations), along with Fiji and Japan as invitational teams.
The 2026 edition is scheduled to begin on Saturday 4th July, with the opening three rounds to be played as part of the Summer Internationals.
Summer Internationals 2026 Fixtures
All kick-off times are shown in UK & Ireland time with local time shown in brackets.
Warm-up Matches
Saturday 27th June 2026
ROUND 1
Saturday 4th July 2026
New Zealand v France
One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 8:10am (7:10pm local)
Japan v Italy
Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo
Kick-off: TBC
South Africa v England
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: TBC
Argentina v Scotland
Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba
Kick-off: TBC
ROUND 2
Saturday 11th July 2026
New Zealand v Italy
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 6:10am (5:10pm local)
Japan v Ireland
Venue TBC
Kick-off: TBC
South Africa v Scotland
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Kick-off: TBC
Argentina v Wales
Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan
Kick-off: TBC
ROUND 3
Saturday 18th July 2026
Japan v France
Japan National Stadium, Tokyo
Kick-off: TBC
New Zealand v Ireland
Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 8:10am (7:10pm local)
South Africa v Wales
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: TBC
Argentina v England
Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estero
Kick-off: TBC
