Tickets for the inaugural Nations Championship Finals Weekend will enter a pre-sale phase on February 25th, with general sale commencing on March 11th, organizers announced Wednesday.
The new international rugby competition, featuring the 12 highest-ranked national teams, will culminate in a unique Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium in London this November. The tournament is structured around a ‘Southern Series’ of matches in July and a ‘Northern Series’ in November, with teams split into Northern and Southern Hemisphere groups.
The first-ever Nations Championship fixture will be a highly anticipated clash between the All Blacks of New Zealand and France, hosted at the newly constructed stadium in Christchurch. This match marks the first international rugby event to be held at the venue, adding to its historical significance.
Venues across the globe have been confirmed to host the ‘Southern Series,’ including Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Eden Park in Auckland, and the National Stadium in Tokyo. Neutral venues in the UK, such as the Hill Dickson Stadium in Liverpool, will host fixtures for Fiji, while Japan will serve as a neutral location for Ireland’s matches, according to tournament officials.
Each of the 12 competing nations will play six fixtures – three in July against opponents from the opposing hemisphere and three in November. Points earned throughout both series will determine the standings within each hemisphere, ultimately shaping the schedule for the Finals Weekend in London.
The Finals Weekend format will see the top-ranked team from the Northern Hemisphere face the top-ranked team from the Southern Hemisphere to determine the overall champion. All teams will likewise compete for points to determine which hemisphere will be crowned the strongest in 2026, with matchups determined by group standings – first versus first, second versus second, and so on.
Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, stated that the Nations Championship is intended to “stand alongside the world’s best sport and entertainment tournaments,” emphasizing the commitment to showcasing top-tier rugby on iconic global stages. He added that the ticketing approach prioritizes accessibility for fans eager to experience the “start of an incredible new era for rugby.”
The Springboks are scheduled to begin their season against the Barbarians in Gqeberha, South Africa, while also preparing for a September match against Australia in Perth, according to recent announcements.
