2026 WXV
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host | Various (Global Series) Hong Kong (Global Series Challenger) |
| Dates | 12 September – 31 October 2026 |
| Teams | 18 (12 in Global Series, 6 in Global Series Challenger) |
| Website | wxvrugby.com |
← 2024 WXV | |
The 2026 WXV Global Series and 2026 WXV Global Series Challenger are the inaugural editions of the two successors to WXV, consisting of fixtures for women's national teams organised by participating national unions and World Rugby. Replacing the original three-tier WXV tournament, this new structure moves the top 12 nations into a home-and-away cross-regional touring model (the WXV Global Series), while six emerging nations compete at a single host venue funded by World Rugby (the WXV Global Series Challenger).[1][2]
The 2026 editions are the first year of a fixed three-year cycle running from 2026 to 2028, fully aligned with the qualification pathway for the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup.[1]
Background
The WXV Global Series was announced in September 2025 during the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England. The rankings used to determine positions in the series were set at the end of 2024 WXV, and teams remain fixed in these throughout the 2026–2028 cycle, as agreed with participating unions.[1]
Format
The top 12 teams compete in home-and-away touring fixtures arranged directly between member unions, with each team playing between four and six matches within an eight-week global window from the second week of September to the last week of October. Unions retain domestic commercial rights to their home fixtures.[1][3]
The six emerging nations compete at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong from 13 to 26 September, with triple-header matchdays on 13, 19 and 26 September.[1][4][5]
World Rugby has also confirmed that the women's-specific size 4.5 ball trial, which began at the 2025–26 SVNS, will be extended to the 15-a-side game through these competitions.[5]
There is no promotion or relegation between the Global Series and the Challenger during the 2026–2028 cycle.[1]
WXV Global Series
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host | Various |
| Dates | 12 September – 31 October 2026 |
| Teams | |
← 2024 WXV | |
The 2026 WXV Global Series features home-and-away touring fixtures arranged between member unions across the September–October international window. The 12 participating nations remain fixed in the series for the 2026–2028 cycle with no promotion or relegation.[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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | New Zealand | 1 | 12/13 September | [6] |
| Australia | 1 | 19/20 September | ||
| Canada | 1 | 26/27 September | ||
| England | Australia | 1 | 12 September | [7][8] |
| Canada | 1 | 19 September | ||
| New Zealand | 1 | 26 September | ||
| Scotland | Canada | 1 | 12 September | [9][10] |
| New Zealand | 1 | 19 September | ||
| Australia | 1 | 26 September | ||
| Wales | South Africa | 1 | 18 September | [11] |
| United States | 1 | 26 September | ||
| Ireland | United States | 1 | 20 September | [12][13] |
| Japan | 1 | 27 September | ||
| Australia | Scotland | 2 | 17–23 October | [9] |
| New Zealand | France | 3 | 17–31 October | [14] |
| Canada | England | 2 | 16–23 October | [15] |
| Japan | Wales | 2 | October | [16] |
| South Africa | Ireland | 2 | 24–31 October | [12][17] |
| United States | England | 1 | 30/31 October | [18] |
France home series – September
France host New Zealand, Australia, and Canada across three venues in September 2026.[6] The first match against New Zealand will be a rematch of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup 3rd place final.
England home series – September
England host Australia, Canada and New Zealand across three venues in September 2026.[7][8] The match against Canada on 19 September will be a rematch of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup final, in which England defeated Canada 33–13 to claim the title.
Scotland home series – September
Scotland host Canada, New Zealand and Australia.[19]
Ireland home series – September
Ireland will host 2 games in September vs the United States and Japan. They will also play Japan a week later in a non-WXV match.
Wales home series – September
Wales will host South Africa and the USA, with both matches to take place at Cardiff Arms Park.[11]
Canada vs England – October
This series in October 2026 will be a rematch of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup final.[15][20]
USA vs England – October
This fixture in October 2026 will conclude the Red Roses tour of North America.
Australia vs Scotland – October
The two-Test series in October 2026 will be Scotland's first-ever tour of Australia.[9]
Japan vs Wales – October
The two-Test series in October 2026 will provide competition for the similarly ranked nations.[16]
South Africa vs Ireland – October
The two-Test series in October 2026 will provide competition for the similarly ranked nations.
New Zealand vs France – October
New Zealand host France in a three-Test series in October 2026. It will be a rematch of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup 3rd place final.[14][23]
WXV Global Series Challenger
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host | Hong Kong |
| Dates | 13 – 26 September 2026 |
| Teams | |
← 2024 WXV | |
The 2026 WXV Global Series Challenger will take place at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong from 13 to 26 September 2026, with triple-header matchdays on 13, 19 and 26 September.[4][24][5] The competition is fully funded by World Rugby and uses the cross-pool format of the previous WXV system, with two pools of three teams each playing the three teams from the other pool.[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 |
Pools
The pool allocations for the 2026 WXV Global Series Challenger have not yet been announced.
Fixtures
Fixtures are scheduled for 13, 19 and 26 September 2026 at Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong.[5]
See also
- 2026 women's rugby union internationals
- WXV Global Series
- WXV Global Series Challenger
- 2026 Nations Championship
Notes
- ^ South America does not have a competition structure for their national women's XV teams
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "World Rugby and 18 national unions launch landmark WXV Global Series". World Rugby. 18 September 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- ^ a b c 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 Ball, Josh (19 April 2026). "World Rugby boss hails Hong Kong's 'global influence' at WXV announcement". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- ^ a b c d "Hong Kong set to host WXV Global Series Challenger in 2026". World Rugby. 19 April 2026. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- ^ a b "Billetterie" [Ticket office]. Billetterie France Rugby (in French). Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- ^ a b "Red Roses' WXV Global Series home fixtures announced". Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
- ^ a b Latham-Coyle, Harry (23 March 2026). "Red Roses to host New Zealand, Canada and Australia in WXV Global Series". The Independent. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
- ^ a b c "Wallaroos set for historic 2026 Test season". Rugby Australia. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Scotland reveal full WXV Global Series schedule for 2026". Rugby Pass. 13 May 2026. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ^ a b Welsh Rugby Union [@WelshRugbyUnion] (7 May 2026). "This September, our Welsh Women return to home soil for the WXV Global Series" (Tweet). Retrieved 13 May 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
- ^ a b "Ireland to face South Africa in Cape Town Tests" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ a b c "Ireland Kick Off WXV Global Series On Home Soil | Irish Rugby". www.irishrugby.ie. Retrieved 16 June 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.
- ^ a b "Canada's women's rugby team to debut at BMO field this October to host #1 England for the rugby rematch tour, presented by Canadian Tire". Rugby Canada. 27 April 2026.
- ^ a b Coleman-Phillips, Ceri (18 May 2026). "Women's Six Nations: What next for Wales after another winless campaign?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
- ^ a b c "Springbok Women to host Ireland in Cape Town | SA Rugby". springboks.rugby. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ^ "Rugby Union Weekly - Was this England's most impressive Grand Slam? - BBC Sounds". BBC. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
- ^ "Scotland Women WXV Global Series and 2027 Guinness Six Nations Fixtures confirmed". Scottish Rugby. 13 May 2026. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ^ "Canada's women's rugby team heads to TD Place hosting England for the rugby rematch tour, presented by Canadian Tire". Rugby Canada. 28 April 2026.
- ^ "Women's Internationals 2026: Wallaroos vs Scotland Women". Rugby Australia. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- ^ "Wallabies and Wallaroos confirm historic Tests for Canberra". Rugby Australia. 30 March 2026. Retrieved 30 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.
- ^ Harvey, Joe (19 April 2026). "WXV Global Challenger Series coming to Hong Kong in 2026". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 19 April 2026.