Get ready for a whole new era in men's international rugby! The inaugural Nations Championship is set to shake up the July and November Test windows, bringing a fresh, high-stakes format to the game. Here's everything you need to know about the schedule, teams, and how the competition will play out.

What is the Nations Championship?
Announced during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, this new competition will be held every other year, replacing traditional summer tours and the Autumn Nations Series. The goal? To add real context to the international calendar. The top 12 teams will battle it out, with Fiji and Japan joining the Six Nations and Rugby Championship sides. While promotion and relegation are planned for the future, they won't kick in until after 2026.

How does the format work?
The 12 teams are split into two pools: the Northern Hemisphere (France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, England, and Wales) and the Southern Hemisphere (South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, Australia, Fiji, and Japan). Each team will play six matches—three in July and three in November—against opponents from the opposite pool. The results determine seedings for a blockbuster finals weekend at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium, where six matches will be played over two days. The top finisher from each pool will face off for the first Nations Championship trophy, with the winning hemisphere also claiming silverware based on overall match results.

Full schedule and key dates
The action kicks off in July and runs through November, with the finals weekend set for November 27-29. All matches will be broadcast free-to-air on ITV in the United Kingdom, so fans won't miss a moment of the drama. The 1st vs. 1st final match carries extra weight—worth two points—while all other finals weekend games are worth one point each.

Whether you're cheering for a Six Nations powerhouse or a Southern Hemisphere giant, this new format promises edge-of-your-seat rugby. Mark your calendars and get ready to gear up for the biggest matches of the year!