International rugby will enter a new chapter this July as the Nations Championship begins with its Southern Series, bringing together 12 of the world’s strongest teams in a cross-hemisphere battle.
The opening match will take place at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, where the All Blacks will face France in the first-ever fixture of the tournament. The clash also marks the first international match at Christchurch’s newly built stadium.
Matches during the July window will be played at some of rugby’s most iconic venues, including Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Eden Park in Auckland and the National Stadium in Tokyo. The tournament will also visit neutral venues in the United Kingdom, including the new Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool.
The competition format features two groups of six teams, representing the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Each nation will play three matches in July and three in November against opponents from the opposite hemisphere.
Points collected across both windows will determine standings within each hemisphere group and shape the fixtures for the Finals Weekend in London. The concluding stage will be held at Allianz Stadium in London, where the top-ranked teams from each hemisphere will compete to become the first Nations Championship winner.
In addition to crowning an overall champion, the tournament will also determine which hemisphere stands strongest in 2026 based on cumulative points earned throughout the competition.
With venues confirmed and fixtures locked in, the Nations Championship is set to deliver a new global rivalry format designed to elevate international rugby competition.