The Rugby Championship will not take place in 2026 but will feature on the global rugby calendar for the following three years, including a full tournament in the lead-up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, organisers SANZAAR confirmed on Thursday.

Often described as the Southern Hemisphere’s equivalent of the Six Nations, the Rugby Championship is contested annually by South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina, traditionally between August and October.

Current holders South Africa have claimed the past two titles, though the tournament’s future has faced uncertainty amid the emergence of new international events.

The 2026 edition will be skipped as New Zealand embark on a multi-test tour of South Africa — a highly anticipated clash between rugby’s two dominant nations — coinciding with the launch of World Rugby’s new Nations Championship, scheduled for the July and November international windows.

These developments have forced the Rugby Championship off the calendar for 2026. However, it will make its return the following year in a full format, moving to an earlier July–August slot. Traditionally, the tournament has been shortened in Rugby World Cup years.

There will again be no Championship in 2030, as the southern giants revisit the international tour model, with South Africa and New Zealand expected to meet once more — this time on New Zealand soil.

“Looking ahead, our joint venture is committed to driving the next chapter of southern hemisphere rugby,” SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris said. “After listening to supporters, broadcasters, and stakeholders, we’ve worked closely with the unions to deliver a bold and dynamic schedule.”

The newly introduced Nations Championship will be a 12-team competition played in even years starting from 2026, featuring nations from the Six Nations and Rugby Championship, along with two invited teams, across the July and November windows.