The Nations Championship (also known as the Championship of Nations) is an international rugby union competition created by World Rugby, which will debut in July 2026 and will henceforth be held every two years, in years when there is neither a World Cup nor a British and Irish Lions tour.
The concept: North versus South. The six nations of the Six Nations Championship—France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Italy—make up the “Northern Hemisphere” group. They will face a “Southern Hemisphere” group comprising the four nations of the Rugby Championship (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina), along with two guest teams: Fiji and Japan.
Each team plays six matches against all opponents in the opposing group: three matches in July 2026, followed by three more in November 2026. The competition concludes with a first-of-its-kind finals weekend in London, from November 27 to 29, 2026, at Allianz Stadium (Twickenham).
The competition format, explained simply
At the end of the six matchdays, the teams are ranked from 1st to 6th within their hemisphere. During the final weekend, each nation faces its counterpart from the other hemisphere based on its ranking: the 6th-place team from the North plays the 6th-place team from the South, the 5th-place team from the North plays the 5th-place team from the South, and so on.
The grand final, scheduled for November 29, 2026, pits the No. 1 team from the Northern Hemisphere against the No. 1 team from the Southern Hemisphere. The winner will be crowned the very first champion in the history of the Nations Championship.
Note: In this format, there are no “friendly” matches. Every match earns points and directly affects the final standings and qualification for the final.
The French national team’s schedule: six matches, two windows
Les Bleus will begin with a tour of the Southern Hemisphere in July, before hosting three Southern Hemisphere opponents in France in November.
July 2026 — The Southern Hemisphere tour
- Matchday 1 — Saturday, July 4: New Zealand vs. France, in Christchurch (One New Zealand Stadium). Kickoff at 7:10 p.m. local time, or 8:10 a.m. (French time).
- Matchday 2 — Saturday, July 11: Australia vs. France, in Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium). 5:40 p.m. local time, or 8:40 a.m. (French time).
- Matchday 3 — Saturday, July 18: Japan vs. France, in Tokyo (Tokyo National Stadium). 5:40 p.m. local time, or 9:40 a.m. (French time).
November 2026 — The Fall Home Series
- Matchday 4 — Saturday, November 7: France vs. Fiji, in Lyon (Groupama Stadium). Kickoff at 9:10 p.m.
- Matchday 5 — Friday, November 13: France vs. South Africa, in Paris (Stade de France). 9:10 p.m.
- Matchday 6 — Saturday, November 21: France vs. Argentina, in Paris (Stade de France). 9:10 p.m.
(Times provided according to the official website; they are subject to change. Please double-check before each match day.)
Lyon at the Heart of Les Bleus’ Return
For fans in the region, one event stands out: the Groupama Stadium in Lyon will host the first match of the French national rugby team’s fall tour, against Fiji, on November 7, 2026. It is in the Rhône region that Les Bleus will resume their campaign after the summer, before heading to Paris for two high-profile matches against South Africa and then Argentina.
Why this inaugural edition matters so much
The Nations Championship takes place one year before the 2027 World Cup, to be held in Australia. The North-South matchups in 2026 will therefore offer a valuable indicator of the global balance of power as the World Cup approaches. For France, these six matches represent both a full-scale test and a first opportunity to etch its name on a brand-new international trophy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the 2026 Nations Championship? It is a new international rugby union competition created by World Rugby, pitting the six nations of the Six Nations Championship against six nations from the Southern Hemisphere (the four from the Rugby Championship plus Fiji and Japan). It will be held every two years starting in 2026.
How many matches will the French national team play? Six group-stage matches: three in July 2026 (New Zealand, Australia, Japan) and three in November 2026 (Fiji, South Africa, Argentina), followed by a potential match on the final weekend.
Where and when is the final played? The final weekend takes place in London at Allianz Stadium (Twickenham) from November 27 to 29, 2026. The grand final, pitting the top team from the Northern Hemisphere against the top team from the Southern Hemisphere, is scheduled for November 29, 2026.
Which match will the French national team play in France? Three home matches in November 2026: France vs. Fiji in Lyon (Groupama Stadium) on November 7, France vs. South Africa at the Stade de France on November 13, and France vs. Argentina at the Stade de France on November 21.
How do teams qualify for the final? At the end of the six matchdays, teams are ranked within their hemisphere. The final pits the top-ranked teams from each group against each other.
Sources: Nations Championship official website (nationschampionshiprugby.com), World Rugby. Schedule and times are subject to change—please check with official sources before publication.