In a bid to make the international rugby calendar's fixtures even more meaningful and intense, the biennial Nations Championship makes its debut this year with 12 countries from around the world bidding to become its first winner.
You can watch Nations Championship 2026 live streams from anywhere with a VPN and potentially for FREE.
Nations Championship 2026 live streams run from July 4 to November 29. Full schedule below.
• FREE STREAMS — Rugbypass TV (U.S.) | ITVX (U.K.) | Virgin Media Play (Ireland)
• Watch anywhere — Try NordVPN 100% risk free
As the number one ranked team in the world and with back-to-back wins in both the Rugby World Cup and Rugby Championship, South Africa will start as favorites to take the inaugural Nations Championship title. But they'll face stern competition from the usual big hitters of world rugby union, the New Zealand All Blacks, Six Nations winners France, England and Ireland all likely to challenge.
In terms of format, the dozen nations are divided into southern and northern hemisphere divisions of six. By the time the six group games are complete (with three rounds of fixtures taking place in July, and three more in November), the top side of each division play off in a grand final at Twickenham on Sunday, November 29.
Will the big boys dominate? Or could this format bring the likes of Argentina, Fiji or Scotland to the fore? Here's how to watch Nations Championship 2026 — including free streaming options and a full list of fixtures, kick-off times and results.
How to watch Nations Championship 2026 for FREE
Live coverage of the Nations Championship 2026 is carried by several free-to-air streaming platforms around the world.
Specifically, you can watch all matches for free on:
- Rugbypass TV in the U.S.
- ITVX in the U.K.
- Virgin Media Play in Ireland
- 9Now in Australia (selected matches only)
Traveling overseas? You won't be able to watch the action like you normally would due to regional restrictions. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution. Use a VPN to watch Nations Championship 2026 for free — we’ll explain more below.
Next fixtures — Round 1: Saturday, July 4
- New Zealand vs France: 3:10 a.m. ET / 8:10 a.m. BST / 5:10 p.m. AEST
- Japan vs Italy: 4:40 a.m. ET / 9:40 a.m. BST / 6:40 p.m. AEST
- Australia vs Ireland: 6:10 a.m. ET / 11:10 a.m. BST / 8:10 p.m. AEST
- Fiji vs Wales: 9:10 a.m. ET / 2:10 p.m. BST / 11:10 p.m. AEST
- South Africa vs England: 11:40 a.m. ET / 4:40 p.m. BST / 1:40 a.m. AEST (Sun)
- Argentina vs Scotland: 3:10 p.m. ET / 8:10 p.m. BST / 5:10 a.m. AEST (Sun)
Watch Nations Championship 2026 from anywhere
Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching the rugby on your usual subscription?
You can still watch Nations Championship 2026 live thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software can make your devices appear to be back in your home country regardless of where you are, making it ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN — we explain why in our NordVPN review.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're in New Zealand and want to watch the your free U.S. coverage, choose 'United States' from the server list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to your usual streaming service and watch Nations Championship 2026 rugby live from anywhere.
How to watch Nations Championship 2026 online in the U.S.
Despite CBS last year announcing that it had secured rights to show all world rugby on Paramount+ in the U.S. until 2029, the 2026 Nations Championship is being streamed for FREE online via Rugbypass TV.
Rugbypass TV can be streamed through via your web browser as well as its dedicated mobile app.
Traveling overseas right now? You can use a VPN to watch all the action as if you were back home. Of the options, NordVPN is our top pick.
How to watch Nations Championship 2026 live streams in the U.K.
Every 2026 Nations Championship fixture will be shown on ITV in the U.K.
All matches will be free-to-air on TV (so long as you have a valid TV Licence) as well as online through the broadcaster's streaming platform ITVX.
Welsh speakers also have the option to watch all seven of Wales' games on S4C (available to watch online through the BBC iPlayer and S4C Clic apps).
Away from home? You can still catch all the action using a VPN, such as our top pick: NordVPN.
Where to watch Nations Championship 2026 live online in Australia
Rugby union fans in Australia can watch every Nations Championship clash on Stan Sport.
You'll need a Stan subscription starting at $12/month and then add Stan Sport for an extra $20/month.
Only interested in catching the Wallabies? Home games during the 2026 championship will go out on free-to-air TV thanks to Channel 9 and will stream for free on its 9Now streaming platform.
If you're traveling overseas you can still watch all the 2026 Nations Championship on Stan or 9Now via a VPN. Our number one VPN service right now is NordVPN.
How to watch 2026 Nations Championship live streams in New Zealand
New Zealanders can catch the 2026 Nations Championship on Sky Sport.
That means you can also watch through the online Sky Sport Now platform, which costs $29.99/day, $59.99/month or $549.99/year.
Remember. You can still tap into your Nations Championship stream when overseas by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.
How to watch Nations Championship 2026 in Ireland
As mentioned above, Irish residents can watch every game of the Nations Championship 2026 on Virgin Media Play.
It's a free service meaning you won't have to pay a penny to stream any of the 42 games.
Outside the Emerald Isle? Watch from anywhere across the world with NordVPN!
How to watch Nations Championship 2026 in Canada
The Nations Championship will be broadcast on the Premier Sports subscription service in Canada, which costs CA$29.99/month, CA$79.99 for six months or CA$139.99 for a whole year.
Outside Canada during the tournament? Unlock your Premier Sports streams with NordVPN.
Nations Championship fixtures, schedule & results 2026
Southern Hemisphere Series
Round 1 — Saturday, July 4
New Zealand vs France: 3:10 a.m. ET / 8:10 a.m. BST / 5:10 p.m. AEST
Japan vs Italy: 4:40 a.m. ET / 9:40 a.m. BST / 6:40 p.m. AEST
Australia vs Ireland: 6:10 a.m. ET / 11:10 a.m. BST / 8:10 p.m. AEST
Fiji vs Wales: 9:10 a.m. ET / 2:10 p.m. BST / 11:10 p.m. AEST
South Africa vs England: 11:40 a.m. ET / 4:40 p.m. BST / 1:40 a.m. AEST (Sun)
Argentina vs Scotland: 3:10 p.m. ET / 8:10 p.m. BST / 5:10 a.m. AEST (Sun)
Round 2 — Saturday, July 11
New Zealand vs Italy: 1:10 a.m. ET / 6:10 a.m. BST / 3:10 p.m. AEST
Australia vs France: 3:40 a.m. ET / 8:40 a.m. BST / 5:40 p.m. AEST
Japan vs Ireland: 6:10 a.m. ET / 11:10 a.m. BST / 8:10 p.m. AEST
Fiji vs England: 9:10 a.m. ET / 2:10 p.m. BST / 11:10 p.m. AEST
South Africa vs Scotland: 11:40 a.m. ET / 4:40 p.m. BST / 1:40 a.m. AEST (Sun)
Argentina vs Wales: 3:10 p.m. ET / 8:10 p.m. BST / 5:10 a.m. AEST (Sun)
Round 3 — Saturday, July 18
New Zealand vs Ireland: 3:10 a.m. ET / 8:10 a.m. BST / 5:10 p.m. AEST
Japan vs France: 4:40 a.m. ET / 9:40 a.m. BST / 6:40 p.m. AEST
Australia vs Italy: 6:10 a.m. ET / 11:10 a.m. BST / 8:10 p.m. AEST
Fiji vs Scotland: 9:10 a.m. ET / 2:10 p.m. BST / 11:10 p.m. AEST
South Africa vs Wales: 11:40 a.m. ET / 4:40 p.m. BST / 1:40 a.m. AEST (Sun)
Argentina vs England: 3:10 p.m. ET / 8:10 p.m. BST / 5:10 a.m. AEST (Sun)
Northern Hemisphere Series
Round 4 — Friday, Nov. 6 to Sunday, Nov. 8
Ireland vs Argentina: Fri. at 3:10 p.m. ET / 8:10 p.m. GMT / 7:10 a.m. AEST (Sat)
Italy vs South Africa: Sat. at 6:40 a.m. ET / 11:40 a.m. GMT / 10:40 p.m. AEST
Scotland vs New Zealand: Sat. at 9:10 a.m. ET / 2:10 p.m. GMT / 1:10 a.m. AEST (Sun)
Wales vs Japan: Sat. at 11:40 a.m. ET / 4:40 p.m. GMT / 3:40 a.m. AEST (Sun)
France vs Fiji: Sat. at 3:10 p.m. ET / 8:10 p.m. GMT / 7:10 a.m. AEST (Sun)
England vs Australia: Sun. at 10:10 a.m. ET / 3:10 p.m. GMT / 2:10 a.m. AEST (Mon)
Round 5 — Friday, Nov. 13 to Sunday, Nov. 15
France vs South Africa: Fri. at 3:10 p.m. ET / 8:10 p.m. GMT / 7:10 a.m. AEST (Sat)
Italy vs Argentina: Sat. at 6:40 a.m. ET / 11:40 a.m. GMT / 10:40 p.m. AEST
Wales vs New Zealand: Sat. at 9:10 a.m. ET / 2:10 p.m. GMT / 1:10 a.m. AEST (Sun)
England vs Japan: Sat. at 11:40 a.m. ET / 4:40 p.m. GMT / 3:40 a.m. AEST (Sun)
Ireland vs Fiji: Sat. at 3:10 p.m. ET / 8:10 p.m. GMT / 7:10 a.m. AEST (Sun)
Scotland vs Australia: Sun. at 10:10 a.m. ET / 3:10 p.m. GMT / 2:10 a.m. AEST (Mon)
Round 6 — Saturday, November 21
England vs New Zealand: 9:10 a.m. ET / 2:10 p.m. GMT / 1:10 a.m. AEST (Sun)
Scotland vs Japan: 9:10 a.m. ET / 2:10 p.m. GMT / 1:10 a.m. AEST (Sun)
Ireland vs South Africa: 11:40 a.m. ET / 4:40 p.m. GMT / 3:40 a.m. AEST (Sun)
Italy vs Fiji: 11:40 a.m. ET / 4:40 p.m. GMT / 3:40 a.m. AEST (Sun)
France vs Argentina: 3:10 p.m. ET / 8:10 p.m. GMT / 7:10 a.m. AEST (Sun)
Wales vs Australia: 3:10 p.m. ET / 8:10 p.m. GMT / 7:10 a.m. AEST (Sun)
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