Nations Championship 2026: England, Scotland and Wales Prepare for November Showdowns

England, Scotland and Wales are preparing for the next stage of the inaugural Nations Championship, with nine international rugby fixtures taking place across Twickenham, Murrayfield and the Principality Stadium in November 2026.

The Nations Championship 2026 fixtures will see the three home nations face Australia, Japan and New Zealand during the final three rounds of the group stage, as the new competition resumes following its opening matches in July.

Results throughout November will determine the final standings in each hemisphere ahead of the Nations Championship Finals Weekend at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th November.

The new competition brings together 12 international teams from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, with England, Scotland and Wales set to face Australia, Japan and New Zealand during the final three rounds of the group stage.

Following the opening rounds in July, the November fixtures will determine the final standings in each hemisphere ahead of the Nations Championship Finals Weekend at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th November.

With established international rivalries renewed and places in the tournament’s Grand Final at stake, November promises a fascinating conclusion to the first edition of rugby’s newest international competition.

How Does the Nations Championship Work?

The Nations Championship is a biennial international rugby competition featuring 12 teams divided into two groups of six.

England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy represent the Northern Hemisphere, while Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Fiji and Japan form the opposing group.

Each nation plays six matches against teams from the opposite hemisphere, with three rounds taking place in July and a further three in November. Results across both windows determine the final standings within each group.

The six Northern Hemisphere nations will then face their corresponding Southern Hemisphere opponents during Finals Weekend at Twickenham, with the two first-placed teams meeting in the Grand Final to determine the inaugural Nations Championship winner.

The competition also features a separate Hemisphere Challenge, with points awarded across the six Finals Weekend matches to determine which hemisphere finishes ahead overall.

England: Australia, Japan and New Zealand Head to Twickenham

Steve Borthwick’s England return to the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, for three Nations Championship fixtures in November, looking to build on their performances during the opening rounds of the competition.

England recorded two victories from their three July fixtures, defeating Fiji 73-8 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool before securing a 31-24 victory over Argentina. Their only defeat came against South Africa, with the Springboks winning 45-21 in Johannesburg.

England begin their November campaign against Australia on Sunday 8th November, with kick-off scheduled for 3:10pm. The fixture renews one of international rugby’s established rivalries, with the two nations having met in two Rugby World Cup finals. England famously defeated the Wallabies in Sydney in 2003, securing their first world title through Jonny Wilkinson’s extra-time drop goal.

Japan provide England’s next challenge on Saturday 14th November, with the two sides meeting at Twickenham at 4:40pm. The Brave Blossoms will be looking to test England’s defensive organisation with their attacking approach, while Borthwick’s side will aim to make home advantage count as they approach the final round of the group stage.

England conclude their November fixtures against New Zealand on Saturday 21st November, with kick-off at 2:10pm. The All Blacks won all three of their July Nations Championship fixtures, defeating France, Italy and Ireland, and will arrive at Twickenham looking to strengthen their position in the Southern Hemisphere standings.

England’s final group-stage fixture will also be a rematch of their November 2025 encounter, when Borthwick’s side defeated New Zealand 33-19 at Twickenham. With the final group positions to be decided, the latest meeting between the two nations could have significant implications for the Finals Weekend matchups.

Scotland: All Blacks Visit Murrayfield as Townsend’s Side Look to Build on July Results

Scotland enter the November stage of the Nations Championship following victories over Argentina and Fiji during the opening three rounds.

Gregor Townsend’s side began their campaign with a 47-38 victory over Argentina in Córdoba before suffering a 42-28 defeat against South Africa in Pretoria. Scotland subsequently returned to winning ways with a 33-17 victory over Fiji at Murrayfield, leaving them second in the Northern Hemisphere standings following the July fixtures.

New Zealand will provide Scotland’s first challenge when the All Blacks visit the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday 7th November, with kick-off scheduled for 2:10pm.

Scotland have never defeated New Zealand in a senior men’s international, making this meeting an opportunity for Townsend’s side to secure a historic result. The hosts will need to match the All Blacks physically while making the most of their opportunities in possession against one of international rugby’s strongest attacking sides.

Australia are the next visitors to Edinburgh on Sunday 15th November, with kick-off at 3:10pm. Scotland secured a 27-13 victory over the Wallabies during their November 2024 meeting at Murrayfield, and the upcoming fixture presents another opportunity for the two nations to renew their rivalry.

The Scots conclude their group-stage campaign against Japan on Saturday 21st November at 2:10pm. With the Brave Blossoms also facing Wales and England during November, Scotland’s final home fixture will bring together two nations with contrasting attacking approaches and plenty to play for in the Nations Championship standings.

Wales: Japan, New Zealand and Australia Set for Cardiff Showdowns

Wales return to the Principality Stadium for three consecutive Saturdays of Nations Championship rugby, with Steve Tandy’s side looking to improve on their opening three matches.

The Welsh began the competition with a 39-24 victory over Fiji at the Cardiff City Stadium in July before suffering defeats against Argentina and South Africa. Their 43-0 loss to the Springboks in Durban concluded the opening stage of the tournament, leaving Wales fifth in the Northern Hemisphere standings heading into November.

Japan are Wales’ first opponents on Saturday 7th November, with kick-off scheduled for 4:40pm. The fixture presents an opportunity for the hosts to build momentum on their return to Cardiff, although the Brave Blossoms have already demonstrated their ability to compete against European opposition, recording a 27-10 victory over Italy during the opening round of the Nations Championship.

Wales then welcome New Zealand to the Principality Stadium on Saturday 14th November, with kick-off at 2:10pm. The All Blacks have enjoyed considerable success in this fixture, with Wales searching for their first victory over New Zealand since 1953.

The final group-stage fixture sees Australia travel to Cardiff on Saturday 21st November, with kick-off scheduled for 8:10pm. The Wallabies will also have faced England and Scotland during November, making the Cardiff encounter their third and final group-stage fixture on their European visit.

For Wales, the three home matches provide an opportunity to improve their Nations Championship position before all 12 competing nations travel to London for Finals Weekend.

Nations Championship Finals Weekend: Six Matches Across Three Days at Twickenham

The inaugural Nations Championship concludes at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th November 2026, with all 12 competing nations participating in the tournament’s Finals Weekend.

The final standings following the November group-stage fixtures will determine the matchups, with teams facing the nation occupying the corresponding position in the opposite hemisphere.

Friday’s programme features the sixth-placed and third-placed teams from each hemisphere, followed by the fifth-placed and second-placed nations on Saturday.

Sunday will begin with the fourth-placed teams meeting before the tournament concludes with the Grand Final between the leading nations from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Each day will feature two international matches, with the Grand Final deciding the inaugural Nations Championship winner. The separate Hemisphere Challenge will also be determined by results across the six fixtures, ensuring that every nation has something to compete for during the final weekend.

Experience the Nations Championship 2026 with Eventmasters Hospitality

The inaugural Nations Championship brings nine international rugby fixtures to Twickenham, Murrayfield and the Principality Stadium this November, giving supporters and corporate guests the opportunity to experience some of the biggest matches in world rugby.

Eventmasters offers a range of Nations Championship hospitality packages for England, Scotland and Wales, with premium matchday experiences available across all three stadiums.

Guests can explore hospitality for England’s fixtures against Australia, Japan and New Zealand at the Allianz Stadium, Scotland’s three home matches at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, and Wales’ November internationals at the Principality Stadium.

Packages vary by fixture and venue, with selected experiences including premium match seating, dining, complimentary drinks and private hospitality facilities.

Explore our Nations Championship Hospitality Packages to discover the latest availability for November 2026.

Nations Championship 2026 FAQs

When does the Nations Championship 2026 take place?

The inaugural Nations Championship began in July 2026, with the first three rounds taking place between 4th and 18th July. The competition resumes in November, with rounds four to six scheduled between 6th and 21st November before Finals Weekend takes place from 27th to 29th November.

Who are England playing in the Nations Championship 2026?

England will face Australia on Sunday 8th November, Japan on Saturday 14th November and New Zealand on Saturday 21st November 2026. All three matches will take place at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

Who are Scotland playing in the Nations Championship 2026?

Scotland will host New Zealand on Saturday 7th November, Australia on Sunday 15th November and Japan on Saturday 21st November 2026. All three matches will take place at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh.

Who are Wales playing in the Nations Championship 2026?

Wales will welcome Japan on Saturday 7th November, New Zealand on Saturday 14th November and Australia on Saturday 21st November 2026. All three fixtures will take place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Where will the Nations Championship Finals Weekend take place?

The inaugural Nations Championship Finals Weekend will take place at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th November 2026, featuring six international matches across three double-header sessions.

How is the Nations Championship different from the Six Nations?

The Nations Championship features 12 international teams from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, with teams playing six cross-hemisphere fixtures across July and November before participating in Finals Weekend.

The Six Nations is a separate annual competition featuring England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy, who compete against each other to determine the Six Nations champion.

Can I book Nations Championship 2026 hospitality with Eventmasters?

Yes. Eventmasters offers VIP hospitality packages for England, Scotland and Wales’ home Nations Championship fixtures in November 2026. Packages are available at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium and the Principality Stadium, with inclusions varying by fixture and hospitality facility.