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The World Rugby Nations Championship is an upcoming biennial international rugby union competition, which is scheduled to take place in the existing men's mid-year and end-of-year international windows, with the inaugural edition taking place in 2026.

The competition will consist of twelve teams, involving the current Six Nations (England, France, Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales) and SANZAAR (Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand) unions, in addition to two unknown invited unions (widely reported to be Fiji and Japan). The competition will also be held in the years when there is no British & Irish Lions tour (typically to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) or Rugby World Cup (RWC).

The format of the competition will include a "European Conference", consisting of the Six Nations unions, and a "Rest of World Conference" comprising the SANZAAR nations, in addition to the two invited unions. Each team will play the six nations in their opposing conference across the July and November test windows, with a grand final to be played at the end of the November window between the first-placed teams in each conference in order to decide the tournament champion.

A second division, run by World Rugby, will take place concurrently and is due to consist of twelve further teams, with promotion and relegation between the divisions commencing from the start of the third edition in 2030. In December 2024 it was reported that the second division would initially consist of the 12 teams that successfully qualify for the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup through the qualification process.

Criticism

The creation of the Nations Championship has received criticism for 'ring-fencing' smaller nations outside elite competition and narrowing their opportunities to play against top nations. It has also been criticised for potentially devaluing the Rugby World Cup (RWC). World Rugby's Chief Executive Alan Gilpin has defended against this criticism by stating “the suggestions that this just makes the rich richer are misplaced. This creates a better landscape” whilst adding that there will be “50% guaranteed more crossover fixtures” in non-tournament years.

References

1. "Historic rugby calendar reform to supercharge reach and competitiveness" (Press release). World Rugby. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
2. "World Rugby Approves New Global Rugby Tournament From 2026". Flo Rugby. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
3. "The Rugby Nations Championship: Everything You Need To Know". keithprowse.co.uk. Keith Prowse. 11 December 2023.
4. "FAQs: Explaining rugby's Nations Championship and a 24-team World Cup". ESPN. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
5. Correspondent, Will Kelleher, Deputy Rugby (12 December 2024). "England risk treacherous World Cup draw if results don't improve next year". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 13 December 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
6. "New Nations Championship 'a slap in the face' to smaller rugby nations". Telegraph. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
7. "Nations Cup is a disgraceful swindle designed to protect elite". The Times. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
8. "World Rugby's global calendar overhaul labelled 'stitch-up' by smaller nations". Guardian. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.

• World Rugby competitions
• Proposed sports leagues