Scotland Set for Landmark 2026 Nations Championship
17 Nov 2025Scottish Rugby today welcomed the confirmation of the full match schedule for the inaugural Nations Championship, kicking off in July 2026.
The new global tournament—created through a new joint venture between Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR—will see the world’s strongest rugby nations compete in a unified cross-hemisphere format for the first time.
As the international game enters a new era, Scotland will face a blockbuster run of fixtures against Argentina, South Africa and Fiji next July before returning to Scottish Gas Murrayfield in November for a trio of unmissable home Tests against New Zealand, Australia and Japan.
In the opening window of the Nations Championship, Scotland will face three teams representing the Southern Hemisphere group of teams in the new competition.
- Argentina v Scotland – 4 July 2026
A high-stakes start against Los Pumas in a fierce Test that opens Scotland’s campaign. - South Africa v Scotland – 11 July 2026
A meeting with the reigning World champions promises intensity, physicality and world-class competition and will be the first game between the sides since the 2024 Autumn Nations Series. - Fiji v Scotland – 18 July 2026
Scotland face Fiji’s flair and athleticism in round three, in a rematch of the 2025 summer tour fixture.
These matches represent Scotland’s first opportunity to secure Nations Championship points before table placings are finalised in November.
Scottish Gas Murrayfield will then host three box-office fixtures as the Southern Hemisphere nations travel north in the second competition window:
- Scotland v New Zealand – 6-8 November 2026
The All Blacks return to Edinburgh in a welcome return fixture after the engrossing match two weeks ago. - Scotland v Australia – 13-15 November 2026
A renewal of one of the calendar’s most entertaining fixtures, a chance for Scotland’s British & Irish Lions to take on the Wallabies again. - Scotland v Japan – 21 November 2026
Scotland finish their group campaign against an increasingly competitive Japan side.
These fixtures give supporters the chance to see Scotland take on some of the biggest names in world rugby on home soil, while contributing crucial points toward the Nations Championship standings.
The Nations Championship brings together 12 of the top ranked nations in the sport in a structured competition designed to crown both a tournament champion and the dominant hemisphere every two years. The annual July and November windows will now carry added context, jeopardy and intensity.
Every team plays six cross-hemisphere fixtures, with standings determining qualification for the new Finals Weekend, held in London in November 2026. The top-ranked Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere nations will compete for the title in a historic world-first championship final.
Scottish Rugby CEO, Alex Williamson, said: “The Nations Championship represents a thrilling new format for international rugby with the best teams in the world playing each other every two years.
“This tournament provides a clear, competitive structure that rewards performance, giving Scotland a fantastic global spotlight across the July fixtures whilst providing our fans with unforgettable rugby occasions back at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in November.
“Playing in Argentina and South Africa and against Fiji next summer before hosting New Zealand, Australia and Japan at Scottish Gas Murrayfield is a challenge we are delighted to have. The finals weekend at the Allianz will be a unique spectacle and will make the incredible energy that has gone into bringing this tournament to life entirely worthwhile.”
Scotland Head Coach, Gregor Townsend, said: “”The new Nations Championship creates a calendar that allows us to regularly play top quality sides. The competition element to the matches will also add something special.
“The matches next year are very exciting. We will need to manage the logistics of moving from Argentina to South Africa but it’s a challenge that Rugby Championship teams take on every year and will be one we will need to adapt to.
“We’ve not played in South Africa for a number of years so that’ll be an occasion to relish and look forward to.
“In November, playing three back-to-back games and then a final match to decide our final standing in the tournament is brilliant. It provides a Rugby World Cup feel during the season and when you add it onto the Six Nations you have a year of fixtures that will have our players excited, and also our supporters.”
