World Rugby Nations Cup 2026 – Key facts
- A new biennial international rugby competition starting in 2026
- Twelve teams from six continents
- Played across the July and November international windows
- Each team plays six matches
- Top-ranked team in each pool are crowned champions
Following last year’s announcement of a new biennial competition, World Rugby has confirmed that the opening Nations Cup fixtures in July 2026 will take place across the Americas.
The tournament will begin on 4 July in Montevideo, where Uruguay take on Georgia, marking the start of a new era in men’s international rugby.
The World Rugby Nations Cup will be played across the July and November international windows this year, providing consistent and meaningful competition for emerging rugby nations as they prepare for Australia 2027.
What is the World Rugby Nations Cup?
The World Rugby Nations Cup is a new international rugby tournament that will be staged biennially, beginning in 2026, ensuring it does not take place during Men’s Rugby World Cup or British and Irish Lions tour years.
Running alongside the Nations Championship 2026, the competition will feature 12 unions from six continents.
These teams will be split into two geographically aligned pools of six, with each team playing every union in the opposite pool.
The tournament will be played across two windows – with each team playing three matches in July and three in November – with results contributing to a final standings table.
At the conclusion of the November fixtures, the top-ranked team in each pool will be crowned Nations Cup champions.
Which unions will be competing?
A total of 12 unions will compete, all of whom have qualified for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.
Samoa were the final team to qualify following their 13-13 draw against Belgium in the Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai last November (embed article: ).
Pool A (Americas and Pacific)
- Canada
- Chile
- Samoa
- Tonga
- Uruguay
- USA
Pool B (Europe, Africa and Asia)
- Georgia
- Hong Kong China
- Portugal
- Romania
- Spain
- Zimbabwe
What is the format?
The competition follows a round-robin format across two windows, with each team playing six matches – three in July and three in November – against opposition from the opposite pool.
All results feed into the standings, with the highest-ranked team in each pool crowned champions at the end of the tournament.
Unlike the Nations Championship 2026, there will be no finals day. Instead, the format guarantees regular, competitive fixtures for all participating teams, supporting development and consistency ahead of Australia 2027.
What is the match points system?
Winning a match across the July and November windows earns a team four points, while a loss results in zero points.
Bonus points are also available:
- Try bonus point: awarded for scoring four or more tries in a match (1 point)
- Losing bonus point: awarded for losing by seven points or fewer (1 point)
If a match ends in a draw, each team receives two points.
If teams are level on points in the standings, rankings will be decided by:
- Number of wins
- Points difference
Why the tournament matters
The competition brings together 12 unions who have qualified for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in a structured environment designed to accelerate competitiveness and provide certainty around meaningful annual test fixtures, alongside increased commercial opportunities.
The schedule balances geographic spread, player welfare, logistical considerations, and development, offering clarity for fans, consistency for teams, and value for unions.
These teams represent some of rugby’s most exciting growth markets, many of whom have made significant progress in recent years through increased investment, improved pathways, and growing supporter bases.
The Nations Cup provides a platform to test themselves against comparable opposition, refine systems, and build experience ahead of Australia 2027.
The competition also looks beyond Australia 2027, with a significant number of matches in the United States providing a strong platform as preparations begin for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2031.
Will there be promotion and relegation between the two tournaments?
Relegation and promotion mechanisms between the Nations Championship and Nations Cup will be examined by all stakeholders from the 2030 edition onwards.
When and where will the World Rugby Nations Cup 2026 be played?
The tournament begins on Saturday, 4 July, with Uruguay hosting Georgia at Estadio Charrua in Montevideo.
All teams will be in action across the opening weekend with a double header at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park in Denver, Colorado as USA face Portugal and Tonga meet Zimbabwe, the latter offering an early preview of their Men’s RWC 2027 pool-stage encounter.
Elsewhere:
- Canada face Spain in Edmonton
- Samoa take on Hong Kong China in Santiago
- Chile host Romania in Santiago
Canada and Spain will also meet again at RWC 2027, as will Chile and Hong Kong China, who will meet in round two of the Nations Cup.
This helps build early narratives between these teams ahead of Australia 2027, increasing anticipation for fans and adding further stakes to the competition.
The competition will continue over the following two weekends in July, before resuming in November, when the remaining fixtures will be played across Europe and Asia.
To ensure fair opportunities, Tonga and Samoa will be supported by World Rugby when playing Nations Cup fixtures outside their home territories, helping provide financial stability, support long-term development, and maximise global exposure.
Has the match schedule been announced?
Yes, the full schedule for the July fixtures is available on the official World Rugby Nations Cup website.
Details for the November fixtures, which complete the tournament, will be announced in due course.
How can fans buy tickets, and when do they go on sale?
Unions hosting fixtures in July and November will be responsible for these tickets, and World Rugby will support if fixtures are organised in a neutral location.
Where can I watch the World Rugby Nations Cup 2026?
All matches will be available either via domestic broadcast partners or on RugbyPass TV, ensuring global access for fans.