Georgia will host the expanded, 16-team World Rugby Junior Championship in June and July of 2026, marking the tournament’s return to the country for the first time since 2017, when New Zealand defeated England in the final.
Matches will be played in Tbilisi and Kutaisi, offering international rugby alongside cultural experiences, according to tournament organizers. Three stadiums will be utilized: Avchala Rugby Stadium and Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi, and the AIA Arena in Kutaisi. Avchala Rugby Stadium and the AIA Arena will host matches during the opening four match days. From July 17-18, games will be played across all three venues, including Mikheil Meskhi Stadium.
The tournament, previously known as the World Rugby U20 Championship, is undergoing a format change to include 16 teams. Fiji, USA, Japan, and Uruguay have been added as the highest-ranked sides since the last time the U20 Trophy was played in 2024, joining the teams that competed in the 2025 edition in Italy.
Pools for the competition have been confirmed: Pool A will feature South Africa, Wales, Georgia, and Uruguay; Pool B will include New Zealand, Italy, Scotland, and Japan; Pool C will pit Argentina, England, Ireland, and the USA against each other; and Pool D will consist of France, Australia, Spain, and Fiji. The top four teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals, with subsequent matches determining rankings from fifth to sixteenth place.
The expanded format reflects growing global interest in youth rugby, and provides Georgia with an opportunity to showcase its sporting infrastructure and hospitality sector. The event is expected to draw international visitors to both Tbilisi and Kutaisi.
World Rugby has similarly confirmed that the 2026 championship will be the first international competition to feature a new trial lowering the tackle height.
