Watch live streams of the 2026 Nations Championship as the 12 best teams in the world face off in the first tournament of its kind between the northern and southern hemispheres. The new biennial competition unites the complicated July and November international windows under one banner, bringing cutlery and substance to the table.
In essence, it’s a simplified World Cup with an element of the Ryder Cup (more on that below).
The northern contingent comprises the Six Nations teams, while the south is represented by the four Rugby Championship teams, plus guest participants Japan (although they are actually in the northern hemisphere) and Fiji.
Between them, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia have won all but one of the 10 editions of the Rugby World Cup, but while the back-to-back reigning champions Springboks remain the gold standard, the All Blacks and Wallabies have been in decline. Meanwhile, France and Ireland have emerged as genuine forces on the global stage.
Argentina and Italy have shaken up the traditional order within their respective groups, while Scotland and England are equally capable of going toe-to-toe with the best and embarrassing themselves against the worst.
The southern nations have a more consistent schedule, and New Zealand have hit the jackpot by taking advantage of home field for their clashes with Ireland and France.
Teams from the northern and southern hemisphere will meet, either home or away, in six rounds of matches, after which the geographic group standings will determine the clashes in the finals weekend, a three-day festival that will culminate with the best of the north facing the best of the south in the decisive match of the Nations Championship.
The second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth-place teams will also face their opponents, with the results contributing to a first-to-four, Ryder Cup-style Hemisphere Group Challenge that will run parallel to the primary competition.
Each Finals weekend match will be worth one point, but the Nations Championship final will be worth two. Likewise, any match that ends in a tie will go to a 10-minute overtime with a Golden Goal-style Golden Point, except for the final, which will go to two 10-minute overtimes, followed by a penalty shootout if the teams still can’t separate themselves.
Here’s how to watch the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world.
2026 Nations Championship Schedule
(All UK times)
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE SERIES
Round 1
Saturday July 4
08:10 – New Zealand vs France
09.40 – Japan vs Italy
11:10 – Australia vs Ireland
2:10 p.m. – Fiji vs Wales
4:40 p.m. – South Africa vs England
20.10 – Argentina vs Scotland
Round 2
Saturday July 11
6:10 am – New Zealand vs Italy
08:40 – Australia vs France
11:10 – Japan vs Ireland
2:10 p.m. – Fiji vs England
4:40 p.m. – South Africa vs Scotland
20.10 – Argentina vs Wales
Round 3
Saturday July 18
8:10 am – New Zealand vs Ireland
09:40 – Japan vs France
11.10 am – Australia vs Italy
2:10 p.m. – Fiji vs Scotland
4:40 p.m. – South Africa vs Wales
20.10 – Argentina vs England
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE SERIES
Round 4
Friday, November 6
20.10 – Ireland vs Argentina
Saturday November 7
11.40 – Italy vs South Africa
14.10 – Scotland vs New Zealand
16.40 – Wales vs Japan
8:10 p.m. – France vs Fiji
Sunday, November 8
3:10 p.m. – England vs Australia
Round 5
Friday, November 13
8:10 p.m. – France vs South Africa
Saturday November 14
11.40 – Italy vs Argentina
14.10 – Wales vs New Zealand
4:40 p.m. – England vs Japan
8:10 p.m. – Ireland vs Fiji
Sunday, November 15
3:10 p.m. – Scotland vs Australia
Round 6
Saturday November 21
2:10 p.m. – England vs New Zealand
14.10 – Scotland vs Japan
4:40 p.m. – Ireland vs South Africa
16.40 – Italy vs Fiji
20.10 – France vs Argentina
8:10 p.m. – Wales vs Australia
FINALS WEEKEND
Friday, November 27
4:40 p.m. – N6 versus S6
8:10 p.m. – N3 versus S3
Saturday November 28
1:10 p.m. – N5 versus S5
16.40 – Elimination for third place
Sunday, November 29
1:10 p.m. – N4 versus S4
4:40 p.m. – Final of the 2026 Nations Championship
Can you watch the 2026 Nations Championship for free?
Yeah. All Nations Championship matches are broadcast free of charge on ITVX in the United Kingdom, in rugbypass tv in the United States and Virgin multimedia game in Ireland. Wallabies games are also available to watch on 9Now in Australia.
Traveling abroad right now? You can use a vpn to watch the 2026 Nations Championship for free as if you were at home.
Use a VPN to watch live streams of the 2026 Nations Championship
A VPN is useful software that can make your device appear as if you are in your home country, so you can unblock your usual service. Best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and offers up to 75% off.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Nations Championship in the US
All games of the 2026 Nations Championship are broadcast free of charge on rugbypass tv in the US
All you need to do is create an account.
Out of the United States for a game? Wear NordVPN to access your usual coverage.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Nations Championship in the UK
In the UK, all 2026 Nations Championship matches will be broadcast free of charge on either channel. ITV1 either ITV4with live streaming available via ITVX streaming service.
All you need is an account, a TV license and a UK postcode (e.g. HA9 0WS). Register here!
Welsh language coverage of all Wales matches will be available on S4Cwhich can be streamed live via BBC iPlayer either S4C Click.
If you’re outside the UK but still want to tune in, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Nations Championship in Australia
The 2026 Nations Championship is divided into open channel 9 and sport in Australia.
All Wallabies home games will be broadcast on Channel 9, with live streaming available via 9Now.
sportMeanwhile, it offers coverage of all Nations Championship matches. Stan Sport costs AU$20 a month on top of a Stan subscription, which itself starts at AU$12 a month.
Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to see all the action as if you were at home.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Nations Championship in Canada
In Canada, the 2026 Nations Championship is exclusive to top level sports.
You’ll need the CA$79.99 six-month pass or the CA$139.99/year annual subscription to connect.
If you’re outside of Canada but don’t want to miss out, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Nations Championship in South Africa
The Nations Championship is broadcast on Supersport in South Africa.
You will need the DStv Access Package to watch all the matches of the tournament, with prices starting from Rs 99 per month for live streaming.
Abroad right now? Use a vpn to tell your device that you’re back home and ready to go.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Nations Championship in New Zealand
Sky Sport reviews offers complete coverage of the 2026 Nations Championship in New Zealand.
You can access Sky Sport via satellite TV or get a live stream, with the Sky Sport Now subscription service from $29.99 per day or $54.99 per month.
Did you miss a match due to work commitments abroad? NordVPN will give you access to your streaming service at home.
2026 Nations Championship FAQ
Who are the 2026 Nations Championship teams?
2026 Nations Championship Teams
southern hemisphere
- Argentina
- Australia
- Fiji
- Japan
- New Zealand
- South Africa
northern hemisphere
- England
- France
- Ireland
- Italy
- Scotland
- Welsh
Is the Nations Championship the same as the Nations Cup?
The Nations Championship and the Nations Cup are independent competitions. The first is between Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR, while the second is organized by World Rugby.
As the Nations Championship almost exclusively comprises Tier 1 teams and the emerging Nations Cup rugby nations, there is no overlap between the two events.
However, Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR have raised the possibility of a relegation/promotion system in the future.
When does the Nations Championship take place?
The inaugural Nations Championship will take place from Saturday 4 July to Sunday 29 November, with three rounds taking place in July and four, including finals weekend, in November.
The competition will take place every two years, avoiding years in which a Rugby World Cup or a British & Irish Lions tour takes place.
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