Billed as a "North vs. South" competition, the Nations Championship sees rugby's top international teams compete against each other over two phases in July and November.
The Six Nations sides (England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France and Italy) face six southern hemisphere teams (New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Japan and Fiji) across six rounds: There were three rounds in the "southern series" in July and there are another three in the "northern series" in November.
Following that, there will be a finals weekend in London.
Here is everything you need to know about the tournament.
What is the tournament for?
The tournament is an attempt to add extra meaning to the traditional mid and end-of-year Test matches.
Typically, northern hemisphere teams will travel south for a series in the middle of the year and vice-versa in November/December, with nothing (other than pride) on the line.
The Nations Championship combines everyone for a biennial competition that will have an eventual overall winner.
Teams will play one match against a rival nation before moving on to the next across six weekends in July and November, as opposed to the traditional multi-Test series.
How does it work?
While countries face opponents from the opposite hemisphere, they will be in a table with their domestic counterparts.
For example, the Six Nations teams are be in one table and the Rugby Championship sides, as well as Japan and Fiji, are placed in another.
After the six rounds, teams will face the equivalent team from the rival table.
For example, if Scotland were to finish third in the northern table and Australia are third southern standings, they will face off on finals weekend for overall third place.
Teams will earn four points for a win, two for a draw. Bonus points will be awarded for losing by seven points or fewer, and for scoring four tries.
There is also an overall competition between the hemisphere, with points awarded in the final round of matches. For example, if Ireland were to face New Zealand in a finals match, Ireland would win a point for the northern hemisphere.
Who are England playing?
In July, England were beaten by world champions South Africa before overcoming Fiji and Argentina.
Steve Borthwick's side had to contend with is a gruelling travel schedule. England travelled from the UK to Johannesburg before they returned home to face Fiji in Liverpool the week after, then headed to Santiago del Estero in Argentina for their final game.
By the time they get home after the Argentina Test, the squad had travelled around 40,000 miles in the space of a month.
In November, there's less travelling to do as they host Australia, Japan and New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
July results
Round One
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Japan 27-10 Italy Tokyo Chichibunomiya Stadium, Tokyo
New Zealand 34-32 France One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch.
Australia 31-33 Ireland Allianz Stadiun, Sydney
Fiji 24-39 Wales Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff.
South Africa 45-21 England Ellis Park, Johannesberg.
Argentina 38-47 Scotland Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba.
Round Two
Saturday, July 11, 2026
New Zealand 47-17 Italy, Hnry, Wellington.
Australia 26-42 France, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
Japan 20-36 Ireland, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle (Australia).
Fiji 8-73 England, Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool.
South Africa 42-28 Scotland, Loftus Versfeld, Pretorgia.
Argentina 35-21 Wales, Estadio San Juan de Bicentenario, San Juan.
Round Three
Saturday July 18, 2026
Japan 15-42 France, Tokyo National Stadium, Tokyo.
New Zealand 40-21 Ireland, Eden Park, Auckland.
Australia 57-10 Italy, HBF Park, Perth.
Fiji 17-33 Scotland, Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh.
South Africa 43-0 Wales, Kings Park Stadium, Durban.
Argentina 24-31 England, Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estero.
November fixtures
Round Four
Friday Nov. 6, 2026
Ireland vs. Argentina, Aviva Stadium, Dublin. 8.10 p.m. BST
Saturday Nov. 7, 2026
Italy vs. South Africa, Allianz Stadium, Turin. 12.40 BST
Scotland vs. New Zealand, Murrayfield, Edinburgh. 2.10 BST
Wales vs. Japan, Principality Stadium, Cardiff. 4.40 p.m. BST
France vs. Fiji, OL Stadium, Lyon. 9.10 p.m. BST
Sunday Nov. 8, 2026
England vs. Australia, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London. 3.10 p.m. BST
Round Five
Friday Nov. 13, 2026
France vs. South Africa, Stade de France, Paris. 9.10 p.m. BST
Saturday Nov. 14, 2026
Italy vs. Argentina, Allianz Stadium, Turin. 12.40 p.m. BST
Wales vs. New Zealand, Principality Stadium, Cardiff. 2.10 p.m. BST
England vs. Japan, Alliaz Stadium, Twickenham. London. 4.40 p.m. BST
Ireland vs. Fiji, Aviva Stadium, Dublin. 8.10 p.m. BST
Sunday Nov. 15, 2026
Scotland vs. Australia, Murrayfield, Edinburgh. 3.10 p.m. BST
Round Six
Saturday Nov. 21, 2026
England vs. New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London. 2.10 p.m. BST
Scotland vs. Japan, Murrayfield, Edinburgh. 12.40 p.m. BST
Ireland vs. South Africa, Aviva Stadium, Dublin. 4.40 p.m. BST
Italy vs. Fiji, Bluenergy Stadium, Udine. 5.40 p.m. BST
Wales vs. Australia, Principality Stadium, Cardiff. 8.10 p.m. BST
France vs. Argentina, Stade de France, Paris. 9.10 p.m. BST
Finals weekend
Friday Nov. 27, 2026
North 6 vs. South 6, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London. 4.40 p.m. BST
North 3 vs. South 3, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London. 8.10 p.m. BST
Saturday Nov. 28, 2026
North 5 vs. South 5, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London. 1.10 p.m. BST
North 2 vs. South 2, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London. 4.40 p.m. BST
Sunday Nov. 29, 2026
North 4 vs. South 4, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London. 1.10 p.m. BST
North 1 vs. South 1, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London. 4.40 p.m. BST
How to watch Nations Championship in the UK
The Nations Championship will be live on ITV in the UK.