All Blacks‘ 2026 Opponents Confirmed as New Nations Championship Format Takes Shape
WELLINGTON, NZ – New Zealand’s All Blacks will face France, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England as part of the inaugural Nations Championship in 2026, a new global rugby competition designed to determine the world’s best team between Rugby World Cups. The announcement confirms a packed international schedule for the All Blacks,encompassing the new championship,Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (RGR) matches against South Africa,and the traditional Bledisloe cup series against Australia.
The Nations Championship will feature a Southern Series played in July and a Northern Series in November, culminating in a final weekend at Allianz Stadium in London from November 28-30. The All Blacks will host France, Italy, and Ireland in July, before traveling to face Scotland, Wales, and England in november.
New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson stated the championship will “bring an edge to the traditional Test windows for both players and fans in what would be an epic international season.” He added, “Fans want to know who the best team is between world Cups, and the Nations Championship will deliver a champion.”
Beyond the Nations championship, the All Blacks will play four Tests against the Springboks and four matches against South Africa’s United Rugby Championship teams as part of the RGR series in August and September, followed by the Bledisloe Cup series against Australia in October.
All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson highlighted the unique nature of the season, saying, “It’s a unique season when you consider all the elements…Each Test we play against our northern Hemisphere rivals will take on extra significance with Nations Championship competition points on the line as teams vie for a place in the inaugural Northern Hemisphere vs southern Hemisphere Final.”
All Blacks 2026 Nations Championship Schedule (NZST):
Nations Championship Southern Series
* Saturday, 4 July: v France
* Saturday, 11 July: v Italy
* Saturday, 18 July: v Ireland
Nations Championship Northern Series
* sunday, 8 November: v Scotland
* Sunday, 15 November: v Wales
* Sunday, 22 November: v England
Nations Championship Finals Weekend
* 28-30 November, Allianz Stadium, London.
