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 International windows.
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 in the southern hemisphere as part of the Summer International window.
Summer Internationals 2026 Fixtures
Venues and kick-off times have not yet been confirmed.
ROUND 1
Saturday 4th July 2026
New Zealand v France
Venue TBC
Kick-off: TBC
Australia v Ireland
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: TBC
Japan v Italy
Venue TBC
Kick-off: TBC
Fiji v Wales
Venue TBC
Kick-off: TBC
South Africa v England
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: TBC
Argentina v Scotland
Venue TBC
Kick-off: TBC
ROUND 2
Saturday 11th July 2026
New Zealand v Italy
Venue TBC
Kick-off: TBC
Australia v France
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: TBC
Japan v Ireland
Venue TBC
Kick-off: TBC
Fiji v England
Venue TBC
Kick-off: TBC
South Africa v Scotland
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Kick-off: TBC
Argentina v Wales
Venue TBC
Kick-off: TBC
ROUND 3
Saturday 18th July 2026
Japan v France
Venue TBC
Kick-off: TBC
New Zealand v Ireland
Venue TBC
Kick-off: TBC
Australia v Italy
Venue TBC
Kick-off: TBC
Fiji v Scotland
Venue TBC
Kick-off: TBC
South Africa v Wales
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: TBC
Argentina v England
Venue TBC
Kick-off: TBC
