2026 WXV
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host | Various (WXV Global Series) TBD (WXV Emerging Nations) |
| Dates | September – October 2026 |
| Teams | 18 (12 in Global Series, 6 in Emerging Nations) |
| Website | wxvrugby.com |
← 2024 | |
2026 WXV will be the third edition of WXV, a series of Women's international rugby union fixtures for national teams organised by World Rugby and national unions. It is the first edition under the revamped WXV Global Series format, which moves the top 12 nations to a home-and-away touring model while six emerging nations play at a single host tournament funded by World Rugby.[1][2]
Format
The WXV Global Series is fully aligned with the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup qualification pathway, offering clear progression opportunities for teams across both levels and all six of World Rugby's regions.[1][3]
The top 12 teams compete in home-and-away touring fixtures arranged between member unions, each playing between four and six matches in the September–October Test window. Unions retain domestic commercial rights to their home fixtures. Teams ranked 13–18 compete at a single destination funded by World Rugby, with the specific venue yet to be confirmed as of March 2026.[1][2]
WXV Global Series
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host | Various |
| Dates | September — October 2026 |
| Teams | |
← 2024 | |
The 2026 WXV Global Series features home-and-away touring fixtures arranged between member unions across the September–October international window.[1][2]
Participating nations
| Nation | Competition | Regional Association | World Rugby Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Pacific Four Series | Oceania | |
| Canada | Pacific Four Series | North America | |
| England | Six Nations | Europe | |
| France | Six Nations | Europe | |
| Ireland | Six Nations | Europe | |
| Italy | Six Nations | Europe | |
| Japan | Asia Rugby Women's Championship | Asia | |
| New Zealand | Pacific Four Series | Oceania | |
| Scotland | Six Nations | Europe | |
| South Africa | Rugby Africa Women's Cup | Africa | |
| United States | Pacific Four Series | North America | |
| Wales | Six Nations | Europe |
Fixtures
Fixtures are arranged directly between member unions.
| Home | Away | No. | Dates | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBC | Australia | 3 | 12–26 September | [4] |
| Australia | Scotland | 2 | 10–17 October | [4] |
| New Zealand | France | 3 | 17–31 October | [5] |
Australia – Northern Hemisphere tour (September)
The Wallaroos will play three Tests in the Northern Hemisphere in September 2026.[4][6]
Australia vs Scotland – October
The two-Test series will be Scotland's first-ever tour of Australia.[4]
New Zealand vs France – October
The three-Test series between New Zealand and France will take place in October 2026.[5][7]
WXV Emerging Nations
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | September — October 2026 |
| Teams | |
← 2024 | |
The 2026 WXV Emerging Nations will take place at a central location, which as of March 2026 had not been confirmed by World Rugby. The competition is fully funded by World Rugby.[1][2]
Participating nations
| Nation | Competition | Regional Association | World Rugby Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | N/a[a] | South America | |
| Fiji | Oceania Rugby Women's Championship | Oceania | |
| Hong Kong China | Asia Rugby Women's Championship | Asia | |
| Netherlands | Rugby Europe Women's Championship | Europe | |
| Samoa | Oceania Rugby Women's Championship | Oceania | |
| Spain | Rugby Europe Women's Championship | Europe |
Notes
- ^ South America does not have a competition structure for their national women's XV teams
References
- ^ a b c d e "World Rugby and 18 national unions launch landmark WXV Global Series". World Rugby. 18 September 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d Orchard, Sara; Telfer, Alastair (18 September 2025). "WXV Global Series: Women's home nations gain control of autumn games". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "World Rugby announces launch of WXV Global Series". Rugby Football Union. 18 September 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d "Wallaroos set for historic 2026 Test season". Rugby Australia. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Black Ferns set for trois-Test showdown as France returns to Aotearoa in 2026". All Blacks. 3 December 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "'The road to 2029 begins now': Wallaroos confirm 10-Test schedule for 2026". RugbyPass. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Black Ferns to host France in three-test series as 2026 home test schedule confirmed". New Zealand Herald. 3 December 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2026.