Five Reasons You Need to Experience the Nations Championship in 2026

International rugby takes on a new format in 2026, with the inaugural Nations Championship bringing together 12 leading nations from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

England have already completed their three-match Southern Hemisphere series and attention will soon turn to November, when Australia, Japan and New Zealand all visit London. With three major home internationals followed by the first Nations Championship Finals Weekend, there is plenty at stake during a huge month of rugby.

Experience England Rugby Hospitality with Eventmasters

The Nations Championship begins a major period of international rugby in England, and Eventmasters offers premium hospitality packages for supporters looking to experience the action live.

England host Australia on Sunday 8th November, Japan on Saturday 14th November and New Zealand on Saturday 21st November before focus quickly turns towards the 2027 Guinness Men’s Six Nations.

England have three home Six Nations fixtures in 2027, with France visiting on Sunday 14th February, Italy on Saturday 20th February and Scotland arriving for the Calcutta Cup on Saturday 13th March.

Whether looking ahead to the Nations Championship this autumn or planning for the Six Nations in the New Year, Eventmasters rugby hospitality provides the opportunity to enjoy some of England’s biggest home internationals in premium surroundings. Find the perfect game for you HERE.

Here are five reasons why the Nations Championship should be firmly on the radar this autumn…

The First Nations Championship Is Underway

The Nations Championship is not simply a renamed series of autumn internationals. The new competition brings together England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales from the Northern Hemisphere, with Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji and Japan making up the Southern Hemisphere group.

Each nation plays six cross-hemisphere fixtures across July and November, with the results determining their position ahead of the Finals Weekend in London. The opening three rounds have already taken place, while the Southern Hemisphere nations will travel north for the remaining group matches in November.

For rugby supporters, 2026 therefore provides the opportunity to experience the very first edition of a competition designed to give major international fixtures added significance.

England v Australia Starts a Huge Month

England’s first home fixture of the Northern Hemisphere series comes against Australia on Sunday 8th November.

The Wallabies remain one of international rugby’s most recognisable sides, and their visit provides England with an immediate test as the Nations Championship enters its decisive second half. Australia were involved in a high-scoring opening series during July, including a 57-10 victory against Italy in Perth.

England v Australia has produced plenty of memorable encounters over the years, and the Nations Championship now adds a competitive league element to another meeting between the two sides.

Eventmasters Nations Championship hospitality provides the opportunity to enjoy this major international occasion in premium surroundings, making it an ideal fixture for entertaining clients, celebrating with colleagues or simply upgrading the matchday experience.

Japan Offer Another Important Home Test

Less than a week later, England return to action against Japan on Saturday 14th November.

Japan have established themselves as regular opponents for rugby’s leading nations and are one of two invitational sides competing in the Nations Championship alongside Fiji. Their involvement adds further variety to a competition built around regular meetings between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

The quick turnaround from Australia also presents England with a different challenge. Squad depth, selection and momentum will all become increasingly important as Steve Borthwick’s side moves through three home fixtures in the space of two weeks.

For supporters considering an England Rugby hospitality experience, the Japan fixture provides another opportunity to enjoy international rugby before attention turns to one of the biggest matches of the entire autumn.

The All Blacks Are Coming to London

England v New Zealand on Saturday 21st November is the fixture that immediately jumps off the Nations Championship schedule.

Meetings between England and the All Blacks are among the biggest occasions in international rugby, and this encounter arrives in the final round before the competition moves into its Finals Weekend.

New Zealand won all three of their opening Nations Championship fixtures in July, beating France 34-32, Italy 47-17 and Ireland 40-21. England, meanwhile, finished their southern campaign with victory against Argentina after facing South Africa and Fiji earlier in the series.

That gives the November meeting an added competitive edge, with points and final standings on the line alongside the traditional rivalry between the two nations.

Demand is always significant when the All Blacks visit England, making England v New Zealand one of the key fixtures for supporters considering Nations Championship hospitality this autumn.

It All Leads to a Finals Weekend in London

Another major difference between the Nations Championship and the traditional autumn schedule comes at the end of November.

All 12 participating nations will head to the Allianz Stadium for the Finals Weekend from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th November. Teams will be ranked from first to sixth within their hemisphere, before facing their equivalent from the opposite group.

That means sixth plays sixth, fifth faces fifth and so on, culminating in a meeting between the top-ranked Northern and Southern Hemisphere sides to decide the inaugural Nations Championship winner. Six matches will take place across three days.

It gives every result during the competition additional importance and ensures England’s meetings with Australia, Japan and New Zealand contribute directly towards their final destination at the end of November.

Nations Championship 2026 FAQs

When are England’s home Nations Championship matches?

England face Australia on Sunday 8th November 2026, Japan on Saturday 14th November and New Zealand on Saturday 21st November.

How does the Nations Championship work?

The competition features six Northern Hemisphere and six Southern Hemisphere nations. Each team plays six cross-hemisphere matches, with three taking place in July and three in November, before teams are ranked ahead of the Finals Weekend.

When is the Nations Championship Finals Weekend?

The inaugural Finals Weekend takes place from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th November 2026 at the Allianz Stadium, with six matches scheduled across the three days.

Who are England playing at home in the 2027 Six Nations?

England’s three home fixtures are against France on Sunday 14th February, Italy on Saturday 20th February and Scotland on Saturday 13th March 2027.

Can I book Nations Championship and Six Nations hospitality with Eventmasters?

Yes. Eventmasters offers rugby hospitality packages for major England internationals, including the Nations Championship and Guinness Men’s Six Nations, allowing guests to enjoy premium matchday facilities alongside the on-field action.