Week 3 of the 2026 Nations Championship is played on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November 2026. The final round of pool matches in World Rugby’s new biennial competition sets the stage for the tournament-deciding Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium in London from 27 to 29 November. With seedings on the line, Week 3 often produces the highest-stakes northern hemisphere rugby of the autumn.
What is the Nations Championship?
The Nations Championship is the inaugural edition of World Rugby’s new global men’s international tournament, launched in 2026 and scheduled to run every two years outside Rugby World Cup cycles. The 12-team field is divided into two pools of six: the “Northern” pool contains England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, while the “Southern” pool features Argentina, Australia, Fiji, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa. Each team plays all six opponents from the other pool across the July and November international windows before the Finals Weekend in London.
When is Nations Championship Week 3?
Week 3 runs over Saturday 21 November and Sunday 22 November 2026. Confirmed fixtures include England vs New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, Ireland vs South Africa at the Aviva Stadium, and Wales vs Australia at the Principality Stadium. France, Scotland and Italy host their own designated southern hemisphere opponents on the same weekend. Kick-off times follow the standard November autumn rugby slots between 13:00 and 17:40 local time.
Where is Week 3 played?
Matches are staged at each Six Nations host stadium: Allianz Stadium (London), Scottish Gas Murrayfield (Edinburgh), Principality Stadium (Cardiff), Aviva Stadium (Dublin), Stade de France (Saint-Denis) and Stadio Olimpico (Rome). The three-day Finals Weekend is played exclusively at Allianz Stadium in London from 27 to 29 November.
Key Contenders
England vs New Zealand is the marquee fixture of Week 3 and one of the most anticipated Test matches of the entire rugby calendar. England has beaten the All Blacks only sporadically in the post-professional era, but recent meetings at Allianz Stadium have been fiercely contested. Ireland vs South Africa pits two of the world’s top three sides against each other in a match that could decide the Northern pool’s top seeding. Wales vs Australia has historically been one of the closest rivalries in November rugby, with Wales’s recent struggles making the fixture no less competitive. Scotland and France both host opponents looking to cement pool-topping positions ahead of the Finals Weekend.
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, TNT Sports holds exclusive live rights to Home Nations matches, with highlights on the BBC. Fans in Australia watch on Stan Sport, New Zealand on Sky Sport NZ, and South Africa on SuperSport. France Télévisions and TF1 carry France’s home fixtures. ESPN+ streams every match in the United States. Japanese viewers follow their national team on NHK and J Sports. World Rugby’s official streaming service covers most remaining international territories.
History and Records
England and New Zealand have met 45 times in Test rugby, with the All Blacks leading the overall series. Ireland’s ascent to the top of world rugby in the 2020s has produced several landmark wins over South Africa, including at the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool stage. The Nations Championship replaces a patchwork of summer tours and autumn internationals with a structured global competition, and the Week 3 results often prove decisive in determining the Finals Weekend matchups.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets are sold by the host union through official ticketing platforms. England vs New Zealand at Allianz Stadium is expected to sell out, with prices ranging from £50 to over £200 for premium seats. Ireland vs South Africa and Wales vs Australia follow similar pricing structures. Hospitality and corporate packages remain available through each union’s official partner.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Nations Championship Week 3?
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November 2026.
Where are the matches played?
At the home stadiums of the six Six Nations unions across Europe.
How can I watch Nations Championship Week 3?
TNT Sports in the UK and Ireland, Stan Sport in Australia, Sky Sport NZ, SuperSport in South Africa, and ESPN+ in the United States.
What happens after Week 3?
The Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium in London from 27 to 29 November 2026, featuring nine ranking matches culminating in the Grand Final.