The inaugural 2026 Nations Championship has officially kicked off, rewriting the international rugby calendar. Pitting the elite forces of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres against each other, this biennial tournament promises unparalleled drama.
With 36 massive fixtures packed into a split schedule, keeping track of kick-off times across multiple time zones can be a headache. Fortunately, you can link the entire tournament directly to your phone or desktop using the official ECAL link.
Here is everything you need to know about the tournament and how to automate your calendar.
→ Sync the 2026 Nations Championship to your calendar here
What is the Nations Championship?
Launching in July 2026, the Nations Championship is a global rugby union tournament held every two years. It features 12 elite international teams: the Six Nations (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales), the SANZAAR powerhouses (Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa), and two powerhouse invitational sides, Japan and Fiji.
Tournament Format & Key Dates
The tournament is uniquely structured across two distinct windows, culminating in a historic showdown in London:
- Southern Hemisphere Series (Rounds 1–3)
- What: 3 away fixtures for Northern Hemisphere teams.
- When: Saturday 4 July – Saturday 18 July 2026.
- Northern Hemisphere Series (Rounds 4–6)
- What: 3 away fixtures for Southern Hemisphere teams.
- When: Friday 6 November – Sunday 22 November 2026.
- Finals Weekend
- What: Top-ranked teams from each hemisphere pool face off based on final standings.
- When: Friday 27 November – Sunday 29 November 2026.
- Where: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London.
The Tournament Points System
To determine who makes the trek to Twickenham for the Finals, teams earn pool points using the standard World Rugby structure:
- Win: 4 points
- Draw: 2 points
- Loss: 0 points
- Attacking Bonus: 1 point (for scoring 4 or more tries)
- Defending Bonus: 1 point (for losing by 7 points or fewer)
Following Round 6, teams are ranked within their respective hemisphere pools. The final tournament standings match teams equally from both sides—meaning 1st place in the North plays 1st place in the South for the ultimate championship title.
Step-by-Step: How to Sync Fixtures to Your Calendar
Follow these steps to add the official ECAL rugby calendar to your device without downloading any external apps:
- Visit the Portal: Go to the official Nations Championship calendar site.
- Select Options: Click the “Add to your ECAL” button.
- Choose Your Team: Select whether you want to sync all 36 fixtures or filter strictly for your preferred nation (e.g., New Zealand, Ireland, or South Africa).
- Choose Your Calendar: Select Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook to finalise the link.
💡 Note: The calendar link is entirely dynamic. Once synced, any official adjustments to broadcasting slots, stadium venues, or kick-off times will update in real time on your device automatically.
→ Sync the 2026 Nations Championship to your calendar here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When does the 2026 Nations Championship start?
The tournament officially commenced with the Southern Hemisphere Series on Saturday, 4 July 2026.
Where is the Nations Championship Finals Weekend hosted?
The Finals Weekend will take place at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in London from Friday, 27 November to Sunday, 29 November 2026.
Which teams are invited to the 2026 Nations Championship?
The tournament features the Six Nations teams (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales) and the SANZAAR teams (Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa), alongside two invitational nations: Japan and Fiji.
Can I sync only one specific rugby team’s schedule?
Yes. The ECAL calendar setup allows you to filter matches by a single nation so only your preferred team’s fixtures appear.
Do calendar fixtures update automatically if times change?
Yes. The calendar link is dynamic. Any adjustments made by tournament officials to kick-off times, venues, or broadcast channels update automatically on your synchronised device.
Never miss a match. Sync the full 2026 Nations Championship schedule today.
