The 2026 international rugby union calendar promises a packed year of elite competition, major tournaments, and high-stakes Test matches across both hemispheres. With World Cup cycles resetting and new formats emerging, the global game will showcase rising nations, historic rivalries and expanded international windows designed to grow rugby’s reach.
The year begins with the traditional northern hemisphere showpiece, the Six Nations Championship (February-March 2026). England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy will battle across five intense rounds, with France and Ireland expected to continue their rivalry at the top of European rugby. Running parallel in Asia and the Americas are key regional championships and qualification fixtures as unions prepare for the next Rugby World Cup cycle.
Mid-year brings a blockbuster return of touring rugby. The July Test window sees southern hemisphere giants host marquee northern hemisphere opponents: New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina welcome full inbound tours, delivering iconic series that will shape global rankings. Fans can expect packed stadiums for Bledisloe Cup clashes, Springboks home Tests, and European teams testing their depth in challenging conditions.
In late August and September, attention shifts to the Rugby Championship, featuring New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina across a compelling home-and-away format. This tournament remains one of the toughest tests in world rugby, offering high-speed, physical contests that influence global standings.
The year concludes with the November international window, where southern hemisphere powerhouses embark on European tours. These autumn Tests bring classic fixtures alongside emerging-nation matchups that highlight the sport’s continued expansion.
Alongside the international calendar, 2026 features several major club rugby finals and global sevens events that will further shape the year in the sport. The biggest domestic showdown in England, the Gallagher Premiership Final, will take place on 20 June 2026 at Twickenham Stadium, delivering one of the most anticipated fixtures in club rugby. Europe’s elite will battle for continental supremacy in the Investec Champions Cup Final and EPCR Challenge Cup Final, both scheduled for May 2026, with host venues to be confirmed but expected to attract tens of thousands of travelling supporters. In the southern hemisphere, attention turns to the Super Rugby Pacific Final in June 2026, showcasing the best of New Zealand, Australian and Pacific Island talent.
On the global stage, the HSBC SVNS Series continues to grow in profile, offering a fast-paced, festival-style circuit across iconic destinations. The 2025-2026 season will include stops in Dubai, Cape Town, Perth, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Madrid, culminating in a high-energy Grand Final weekend that crowns the men’s and women’s series champions.
Image: Twickenham rugby stadium in London (Credit: by David Iliff/WikiCommons. License: CC BY-SA 3.0)
Guinness Men’s Six Nations 2026
The 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations championship will see England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales battle it over five action-packed weekends of international rugby union.
Round 1
Thursday 5 February 2026: France vs. Ireland
Saturday 7 February 2026: Italy vs. Scotland; England vs. Wales
Round 2
Saturday 14 February 2026: Ireland vs. Italy; Scotland vs. England
Sunday 15 February 2026: Wales vs. France
Round 3
Saturday 21 February 2026: England vs. Irelandl; Wales vs. Scotland
Sunday 22 February 2026: France vs. Italy
Round 4
Friday 6 March 2026: Ireland vs. Wales
Saturday 7 March 2026: Scotland vs. France; Italy v England
Round 5
Saturday 14 March 2026: Ireland vs. Scotland; Wales vs. Italy; France vs. England
Guinness Women’s Six Nations 2026
The 2026 Women’s Six Nations Rugby Championship, taking place from late March to late April, features England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales in a round-robin format.
Round 1
11 April 2026: France vs. Italy; England vs. Ireland; Wales vs. Scotland
Round 2
18 April 2026: Scotland vs. England; Wales vs. France; Ireland vs. Italy
Round 3
25 April 2026: England vs. Wales; Italy vs. Scotland; France vs. Ireland
Round 4
9 May 2026: Italy vs. England; Scotland vs. France; Ireland vs. Wales
Round 5
17 May 2026: Wales vs. Italy; Ireland vs. Scotland; France vs. England
2026 club rugby finals
EPCR Challenge Cup final
When: Friday 22 May 2026
Where: Bilbao, Spain
Investec Champions Cup final
When: Saturday 23 May 2026
Where: Bilbao, Spain
Gallagher Premiership Final
When: 20 June 2026
Where: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, England
Website: premiershiprugby.com
Rugby Sevens
HSBC SVNS Series Singapore
When: 31 January-1 February 2026
Where: Singapore
Website: svns.com
HSBC SVNS Series Perth
When: 7-8 February 2026
Where: Perth, Australia
Website: svns.com
HSBC SVNS Series Vancouver
When: 7-8 March 2026
Where: Vancouver, Canada
Website: svns.com
HSBC SVNS Series New York
When: 14-15 March 2026
Where: New York, USA
Website: svns.com
SVNS World Championships Hong Kong
When: 17-19 April 2026
Where: Hong Kong
Website: svns.com
SVNS World Championships Valladolid
When: 29-31 May 2026
Where: Valladolid, Spain
Website: svns.com
SVNS World Championships Bordeaux
When: 5-7 June 2026
Where: Bordeaux, France
Website: svns.com
HSBC SVNS Series Dubai
When: 27-29 November 2026
Where: Dubai, UAE
Website: emiratesdubai7s.com