Iconic Venues Confirmed To Host Nations Championship ‘Southern Series’ fixtures
The Nations Championship will kick-off in July, with iconic venues around the world confirmed to host the Southern Series of fixtures.
New Zealand versus France on 4 July in Auckland inaugurates the Nations Championship and sets the tone for three consecutive weekends of cross-hemisphere rivalry as the Southern Hemisphere teams host the Northern Hemisphere teams.
The Nations Championship will see the 12 strongest teams and players in international rugby competing to win rugby’s newest titles and silverware, by earning points across fixtures in July and November – culminating in the unique Finals weekend in London where the best in the world will be decided.
Fans will have unprecedented access to Nations Championship Finals Weekend tickets during the pre-sale window opening on the 25th February, before general sale goes live on the 11th March.
The strongest international rugby teams, and the best players in the world, begin their Nations Championship campaign this July, with iconic global venues confirmed to host the ‘Southern Series’ of fixtures, which span three consecutive weekends and offer a schedule of unmissable clashes.
One Stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand, will be the stage for the first-ever Nations Championship fixture, with a heavyweight opener between the All Blacks and France.
The two teams have built up a fierce rivalry over the years, whilst vying to establish themselves as the dominant force in their respective hemisphere.
It will be the first time an international rugby fixture will be hosted at the new state-of-the-art stadium in Christchurch, adding another layer of history to the landmark occasion.
From Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Eden Park in Auckland, and the National Stadium in Tokyo, through to neutral venues in the UK, including the new Hill Dickson Stadium in Liverpool, the Nations Championship will visit venues and cities that cement the tournament’s status as a global showcase of the best rugby nations and players that the sport has to offer.
Neutral venues in the UK have been selected to host the Fiji ‘home’ fixtures, and Japan will host Ireland at a Southern Hemisphere neutral venue, to establish the strongest start to the tournament in its first edition. The schedule also allows more fans access to attend fixtures, whilst balancing team logistics, travel, broadcasting, and the stadium infrastructure needed to host elite international rugby fixtures.
The 12 competing nations, split into the two groups of six teams, representing the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, will each play six fixtures against a different opponent from their rival hemisphere group – three in July (Southern Series) and three in November (Northern Series).
Match points are on offer across the July and November chapters of the tournament, which will dictate the table standings per Hemisphere group to create the schedule of fixtures for the Nations Championship Finals Weekend in London.
The Finals Weekend is a totally new concept for rugby union and will deliver three days of double-headers at Allianz Stadium in London, creating a dramatic climax to the tournament.
The first-ranked team in the Northern Hemisphere group, and the first-ranked team representing the Southern Hemisphere, will battle to be named the first ever Champion of the new tournament.
Adding to the sporting jeopardy of the Finals Weekend, all teams will be competing to earn points for their group to decide the strongest rugby Hemisphere in 2026.
Where a team finishes in their respective group table determines who they will face in the Finals Weekend: The first-placed Southern Hemisphere team will face the first-placed Northern Hemisphere team, through to sixth versus sixth, but every fixture matters to every team as they compete for the two titles.
The Nations Championship Finals Weekend will welcome global fans to one of the sporting capitals of the world. London will add to its enviable list of major sporting occasions with the first-ever Finals Weekend, and fans will have unprecedented access to tickets to see the best rugby on the planet, thanks to comprehensive pricing and ticket options available across the three days when the pre-sale and general sale ticketing windows open on the 25th February and 11th March respectively.
Brendan Morris, CEO of SANZAAR, said: “The confirmation of the match venues for the Southern Series chapter of the Nations Championship is another exciting and significant milestone for international rugby.
“The Nations Championship internationals, in July and November, now have real meaning for fans with every match counting to an overall tournament outcome.
The July Southern Series matches are now locked in and will bring world-class rugby to major cities and venues around the world, including Buenos Aires, Christchurch, Johannesburg, Sydney, London, and Tokyo.
“We are looking to answer the question, ‘Who will rule the world in 2026!’ as the top teams in the world compete for the Nations Championship crown, and we will also determine bragging rights as the Hemispheres Collide and the strongest hemisphere will ultimately be crowned.”
Commenting on the confirmation of venues and cities primed to host the first three weekends of Nations Championship fixtures, Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby added:
“The Nations Championship will stand alongside the world’s best sport and entertainment tournaments, and the confirmation of venues hosting fixtures in July highlights the intention to put the best rugby teams and players in the sport in front of global fans, on some of the most iconic stages in world sport.
“Every fixture matters to every team in the Nations Championship, with each result in July pointing towards the Finals Weekend in London this November. The added jeopardy and meaning to each fixture will create hugely compelling entertainment for fans and drive long-term growth for the sport. This is why we have approached the Finals Weekend ticketing with the commitment to make it accessible to as many fans as possible, so they have every chance to be there to experience the start of an incredible new era for rugby.”
VENUE DETAILS
ROUND 1
One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch (30,000) — New national-standard arena; hosts its first All Blacks Test in 2026.
New Zealand vs France
Allianz Stadium, Sydney (42,500) — 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup venue and confirmed 2032 Olympic football venue. Bruno Mars and Elton John have both performed at the stadium.
Australia vs Ireland
Chichibunomiya Stadium, Tokyo (27,188) — 1964 Olympic football venue; hosted HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series (2012–15).
Japan vs Italy
Cardiff City Stadium (33,280) — Hosted the 2017 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final.
Fiji vs Wales
Ellis Park, Johannesburg (62,567) — Venue of the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final. The Rolling Stones and Eminem have both performed at the stadium as part of their global tours.
South Africa vs England
Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Córdoba (57,000) — 1978 FIFA World Cup host stadium and 2011 Copa América venue.
Argentina vs Scotland
ROUND 2
Sky Stadium, Wellington (34,500) — Hosted eight matches at Rugby World Cup 2011, including two quarter-final matches. Ed Sheeran performed at the stadium as part of his tour in 2023.
New Zealand vs Italy
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (52,500) — Hosted 2008 & 2017 Rugby League World Cup Finals; set to host Rugby World Cup 2027 matches. The stadium will host rugby sevens and football (soccer) events at the 2032 Olympic Games.
Australia vs France
Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool (52,769) — Selected UEFA Euro 2028 host venue. Venue for the 2025 Rugby League Ashes.
Fiji vs England
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (51,762) — 2010 FIFA World Cup host stadium.
South Africa vs Scotland
Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario (25,286) — 2011 Copa América venue.
Argentina vs Wales
(Stadium, TBC)
Japan v Ireland
ROUND 3
National Stadium, Tokyo (68,000) — Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games main stadium (ceremonies & athletics).
Japan vs France
Eden Park, Auckland (50,000 rugby) — Hosted opening match & semi-final of 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup; hosted 1987 & 2011 Rugby World Cup Finals. Ed Sheeran and Coldplay have hosted concerts at the venue.
New Zealand vs Ireland
HBF Park, Perth (20,500) – Home of Perth Glory FC and the Western Force. HBF Park has hosted a number of global music artists including Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift.
Australia vs Italy
Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh (67,000) — hosted matches of the 1991, 1999 and 2007 Rugby World Cups. Murrayfield is a renowned music venue with touring artists including: Taylor Swift, Oasis, Beyoncé, and Harry Styles.
Fiji vs Scotland
Hollywood Bets Kings Park, Durban (46,000 regular capacity, 60,000 max capacity) – 1995 Rugby World Cup host venue.
South Africa vs Wales
Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estero (30,000) — Host venue for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023.
Argentina vs England
