After years of discussions, progress, and the COVID pandemic, rugby has its future sorted. World Rugby has announced a new era for the game, including a biennial Nations Championship and a 24-team World Cup. Let’s dive into the details!
The Nations Championship, set to kick off in 2026, will bring together the Six Nations and Rugby Championship countries, along with two invited international unions. The tournament will be played in non-World Cup and non-British & Irish Lions Tour years, with a final match between the top teams from each conference.
But why the need for these changes? Well, rugby’s global calendar needed a revamp, and the game needed to generate more revenue. The hope is that a biennial global tournament will attract broadcasters and create more meaningful content.
However, some critics argue that the Nations Championship overlooks developing nations. While the tournament will provide 12 nations with guaranteed fixtures, the desire for more games against Tier 1 teams will rely on the Six Nations and Rugby Championship unions.
As for the Rugby Championship expansion, it seems unlikely for now. World Rugby has introduced an expanded Pacific Nations Cup, which will include the United States and Canada from 2024. This addition further solidifies the current status quo of South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina.
In Lions and World Cup years, the Nations Championship will not be contested. Instead, the Six Nations and Rugby Championship will continue as usual, with an increase in matches between Tier 1 and developing nations. Regional tournaments like the Pacific Nations Cup will also provide vital fixtures for developing nations.
Now, let’s talk about the 24-team Rugby World Cup. Starting in 2027, the tournament will include six pools of four teams, with the top two and four highest-ranked third-place teams advancing to the Round of 16. The pool phase will be reduced to four weeks, and the total duration of the World Cup will be six weeks.
The draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup will take place in January 2026, with the tournament set to kick off on October 1, 2027. This change ensures a shorter gap between the draw and the opening game, avoiding the issues faced in the current tournament.
In conclusion, rugby’s future looks exciting with the introduction of the Nations Championship and the expansion of the World Cup. While there are concerns about the inclusion of developing nations and the lack of Rugby Championship expansion, these changes aim to create a more competitive and revenue-generating game. So, get ready for some thrilling rugby action in the coming years!