Watch live streams of the 2026 Nations Championship as the world’s 12 best teams compete in the first tournament of its kind between the northern and southern hemispheres. The new biennial competition brings together the convoluted international windows of July and November under one banner, bringing both silverware and substance.
Essentially, it’s a stripped-down World Cup with a Ryder Cup element – more on that below.
The northern contingent includes the Six Nations teams, while the south is represented by all four Rugby Championship teams, as well as invitational entrants Japan (although this is actually from 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 defending champions Springboks continue to serve as the benchmark, the All Blacks and Wallabies are in decline. France and Ireland, for their part, have become real forces on the world stage.
Argentina and Italy have shaken up the traditional order within their respective groups, while Scotland and England are equally capable of taking on the best and bothering the worst.
The southern nations have the most consistent schedule, and New Zealand hit the jackpot by taking home advantage in their clashes with Ireland and France.
Teams from the northern and southern hemispheres will each face off, home or away, over six rounds of matches, after which geographical group rankings will determine clashes in Finals Weekend, a three-day festival that culminates with the best from the north taking on the best from the south in the Nations Championship.
The second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth-placed teams will also each play their counterparts, with the results contributing to a first-four, Ryder Cup-style Hemisphere Group Challenge running alongside the main competition.
Each match on the final weekend will be worth one point, but the Nations Championship final will be worth two. Likewise, all matches that end in a draw will be played over a 10-minute overtime period with a Golden Goal-style Golden Point, with the exception of the final, which will be played over two 10-minute overtime periods, followed by a penalty shootout if the teams still cannot be separated.
Here’s how to watch the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world.
2026 Nations Championship Calendar
(All times in the UK)
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE SERIES
Round 1
Saturday July 4
8:10 a.m. – New Zealand vs France
9:40 a.m. – Japan vs Italy
11:10 a.m. – Australia vs Ireland
2:10 p.m. – Fiji vs Wales
4:40 p.m. – South Africa vs England
8:10 p.m. – Argentina vs Scotland
Round 2
Saturday July 11
6:10 a.m. – New Zealand vs Italy
8:40 a.m. – Australia vs France
11:10 a.m. – Japan vs Ireland
2:10 p.m. – Fiji vs England
4:40 p.m. – South Africa vs Scotland
8:10 p.m. – Argentina vs Wales
Round 3
Saturday July 18
8:10 a.m. – New Zealand vs Ireland
9:40 a.m. – Japan vs France
11:10 a.m. – Australia vs Italy
2:10 p.m. – Fiji vs Scotland
4:40 p.m. – South Africa vs Wales
8:10 p.m. – Argentina vs England
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE SERIES
Round 4
Friday November 6
8:10 p.m. – Ireland vs Argentina
Saturday November 7
11:40 a.m. – Italy vs South Africa
2:10 p.m. – Scotland vs New Zealand
4:40 p.m. – 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 a.m. – Italy vs Argentina
2:10 p.m. – 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
2:10 p.m. – Scotland vs Japan
4:40 p.m. – Ireland vs South Africa
4:40 p.m. – Italy vs Fiji
8:10 p.m. – France vs Argentina
8:10 p.m. – Wales vs Australia
FINAL WEEKEND
Friday November 27
4:40 p.m. – N6 versus S6
8:10 p.m. – N3 against S3
Saturday November 28
1:10 p.m. – N5 versus S5
4:40 p.m. – Playoffs 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?
Yes. Each match of the Nations Championship is broadcast free of charge on ITVX in the United Kingdom, on Rugbypass TV in the United States and elsewhere Blank Media Set in Ireland. Wallabies matches are also available on 9Now in Australia.
Are you traveling abroad at the moment? 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 a handy piece of software that can make your device appear to be in your home country, so you can unblock your usual service. The best VPN at the moment? We recommend NordVPN – it does it all and offers up to 75% off.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Nations Championship in the United States
Every match of the 2026 Nations Championship is broadcast for free on Rugbypass TV in the United States.
All you have to do is create an account.
Outside the United States for a game? To use NordVPN to access your usual coverage.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Nations Championship in the UK
In the United Kingdom, all matches of the 2026 Nations Championship will be broadcast for free on social networks. ITV1 Or ITV4with live streaming available via the ITVX streaming service.
All you need is an account, a TV license and a UK postcode (eg HA9 0WS). Register here!
Welsh language coverage of every Wales match will be available on S4Cwhich can be streamed live via BBC iPlayer Or S4C Click.
If you’re not in the UK but still want to connect, explore the VPN route shown 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 shared between free broadcasting Channel 9 And Stan Sports in Australia.
Every Wallabies home game will be broadcast on Channel 9, with a live stream available via 9Now.
Stan Sportsmeanwhile, covers all matches of the Nations Championship. Stan Sport costs AU$20/month in addition to a Stan subscription, which itself starts at AU$12/month.
Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch 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 Premier Sports.
You will need either the six-month pass at CA$79.99 or the annual subscription at CA$139.99/year to log in.
If you are outside of Canada but don’t want to miss this opportunity, explore the VPN route shown 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 every match of the tournament, with prices starting at Rs99/month for live streaming.
Abroad at the moment? Use a VPN to tell your device that you’re back home and will be ready to go.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Nations Championship in New Zealand
Sky Sport Reviews offers comprehensive 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 starting at $29.99 per day or $54.99 per month.
Are you missing a match due to work commitments abroad? NordVPN will give you access to your home streaming service.
2026 Nations Championship FAQ
Who are the teams for the 2026 Nations Championship?
2026 Nations Championship Teams
Southern Hemisphere
- Argentina
- Australia
- Fiji
- Japan
- New Zealand
- South Africa
Northern Hemisphere
- England
- France
- Ireland
- Italy
- Scotland
- Wales
Is the Nations Championship the same as the Nations Cup?
The Nations Championship and the Nations Cup are separate competitions. The first is a match between Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR, while the second is organized by World Rugby.
Since the Nations Championship almost exclusively comprises Tier 1 teams and the Emerging Nations Rugby Nations Cup, there is no overlap between the two events.
However, Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR have raised the prospect of a relegation/promotion system in the future.
When does the Nations Championship take place?
The inaugural Nations Championship will take place from Saturday July 4 to Sunday November 29, with three rounds taking place in July and four – including the finals weekend – in November.
The competition will take place every two years, avoiding years in which a Rugby World Cup or British and Irish Lions tour takes place.
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