Japan to Participate in Nations Championship in 2026, 2028 and 2030
Hemispheres will collide in 2026 with the launch of the groundbreaking Nations Championship
Japan’s national men’s team, the Brave Blossoms, will participate in the Nations Championship, a new international tournament featuring a cross-continental group of 12 teams. The tournament includes England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales from the Six Nations. They will compete against the four SANZAAR teams from the Southern Hemisphere – Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, alongside Japan and Fiji.
The Nations Championship, to be held every second year from 2026, will take place in the existing test match windows in July and November. Japan and Fiji have secured their participation as invited teams alongside the Southern Hemisphere SANZAAR teams in 2026, 2028, and 2030. In July 2026, six Northern Hemisphere teams will tour to face the six Southern Hemisphere teams, while in November 2026, the Southern Hemisphere sides will tour to face the six Northern Hemisphere sides.
Each team will play six cross-hemisphere matches per year. Some of Fiji and Japan’s home matches may be held abroad due to team travel and tournament operational considerations.
The final standings within each group of the 12 participating teams will be determined by points earned during the July and November rounds. These standings will then determine the schedule for an innovative Finals Weekend, where the Championship will be contested.
Fans can look forward to the 1st ranked teams in the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere groups, battling to be crowned Tournament Champion. A further plot twist in the Finals Weekend will see the remaining teams playing to earn points for their group which will contribute towards deciding the dominant hemisphere. This means that every point, match, and result matters, to every team.
By the conclusion of the Nations Championship Finals Weekend, players and fans will know the dominant nation in the sport, and the balance of power between rugby hemispheres, outside a Rugby World Cup.
The inaugural Finals Weekend, concluding the 2026 season, is scheduled to take place over three consecutive days featuring double-headers at the Allianz Stadium in London.
Commenting on the announcement, Masato Tsuchida, President of the Japan Rugby Football Union said:
“I wish to express my sincere gratitude and respect to all those within the rugby community who have worked tirelessly towards the integration of the Northern and Southern Hemisphere international calendars. The establishment of this new tournament, featuring the world’s top twelve rugby nations will further advance rugby as a truly global sport. Our participation, alongside major World Cup contenders, will be a turning point to dramatically strengthen the Japan team. We pledge to perform in a manner worthy of the honour of competing in this prestigious tournament and will accelerate the evolution of our national team, thereby contributing to the tournament’s success.”
Eddie Jones, Brave Blossoms Head Coach said:
“It’s a great honour for Japan to compete in the Nations Cup. Consistent exposure to this level of competition is vital for us to grow into the team we aspire to be. The inaugural Nations Cup in 2026 will be a springboard for us ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia.”
Commenting on the confirmation of The Nations Championship tournament and the participation of Japan and Fiji, Brendan Morris, CEO of SANZAAR said:
“The establishment of The Nations Championship is an historic and exciting move for rugby that will see the SANZAAR Member Unions, with the addition of Fiji and Japan, take on the best of Europe and the Northern Hemisphere on a biennial basis.
SANZAAR nations have a proud and successful record at international level. Our aim is to continue this record, and the Nations Championship, along with our rugby calendar for the 2026-2030 period, will provide the perfect pathway for continued success.
We warmly welcome our Pacific neighours Japan and Fiji into the tournament, as part of our ‘team’. The participating teams are excited, the broadcasters are excited, and the fans are excited, and we very much look forward to July 2026 when it all kicks-off.”
The Nations Championship in 2026, 2028 and 2030 is scheduled to be broadcast and streamed in Japan on WOWOW. Details regarding venues, kick-off times, promotion and relegation, and other matters will be announced as soon as they are finalised.
Visit the Nations Championship Website for full information
https://nationschampionshiprugby.com/
