The inaugural Nations Championship has delivered on its promise. Twelve of the world’s best teams, two hemispheres, and a brand new competition that has already produced some of the most dramatic international rugby in years. With the southern hemisphere leg now complete, attention turns to November, when the action comes home to Twickenham.

Here is how England got on this summer, and why the autumn fixtures are not to be missed.

What is the Nations Championship?

Before the recap, a quick primer for those still getting to grips with the new competition. The Nations Championship brings together the six Six Nations sides and the six SANZAAR nations (New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, plus Fiji and Japan) in a genuine cross-hemisphere competition. Each team plays six matches in total, three away in July and three at home in November, with all results feeding into a table that determines the pairings for the Finals Weekend at Twickenham on 27–29 November.

It replaces the traditional summer tour format and, if England’s three matches this July are anything to go by, it is a significant upgrade.

England’s Southern Hemisphere Campaign: Match by Match

Round 1: South Africa 45–21 England

Ellis Park, Johannesburg, 4 July 2026

England opened their Nations Championship campaign in the most unforgiving of environments: Ellis Park in Johannesburg, 1,750 metres above sea level, against a Springbok side that had lost just once in 11 Tests. After days of hype leading into the match, England barely turned up in the opening 10 minutes, falling off tackles and dropping balls as the hosts raced to an early 17-0 lead.

To their credit, England regrouped. The visitors clawed their way back into the match and were only trailing by three points before the break, at 17–14. Tries from Ellis Genge, Ollie Martin and Alex Coles showed real character. But England were reduced to 13 men for the final 10 minutes when Tommy Freeman and Guy Pepper were sin-binned in quick succession, and South Africa took full advantage, with Malcolm Marx and Ben-Jason Dixon powering over to seal a convincing victory.

Result: Loss. A harsh lesson, but not without encouragement. 

Round 2: Fiji 8–73 England

Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, 11 July 2026

England produced a response of the most emphatic kind. The victory was England’s biggest since beating Chile 71–0 in Lille at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Henry Pollock, coming off the bench, completed a hat-trick in the closing seconds and England’s 19-year-old debutant wing Noah Caluori touched down in the second half in a display that announced several young talents to an international audience. Ten tries in total, a perfect afternoon.

Result: Win. Confidence restored in the most convincing fashion.

Round 3: Argentina 24–31 England

Estadio Unico, Santiago del Estero, 18 July 2026

England saved their most dramatic performance for last. England survived a chaotic second half featuring seven yellow cards, a penalty try and a dramatic last-minute TMO decision to beat Argentina 31–24 and complete the summer tour with two wins from three. It was not pretty, but it was resilient, and in international rugby, resilience counts for everything.

Relieved of the burden of a losing run, England head into the November phase with renewed purpose.

Result: Win. Two from three, and a great deal learned.

The final round of the 2026 Six Nations broke the record for the most tries scored in a single day of the Championship. Here are the primary talking points from the weekend: 

Where Does England Stand Going Into November?

England finished their July campaign with two wins and a defeat, collecting points that will shape their position heading into the Twickenham finals weekend. The competition table rewards wins, bonus points for four or more tries, and losing bonus points, meaning every November fixture carries genuine significance. England know what they need to do. Three home games, Twickenham, and a finals weekend with a first-ever Nations Championship trophy at stake.

The November Fixtures: England at Twickenham

This is where it matters. Three home matches at Allianz Stadium (Twickenham) across November, each carrying weight in the overall table, and a Finals Weekend to close out the inaugural competition. Here is what is coming up.

England v Australia

Sunday 8 November 2026 | Allianz Stadium
Australia arrive at Twickenham having shown they are no pushover in the southern hemisphere leg. England will be looking to start their home campaign strongly, and this is a fixture that has a habit of producing fireworks.

Book hospitality here.

England v Japan

Saturday 14 November 2026 | Allianz Stadium
Japan are no longer the surprise package they once were in international rugby. Their Nations Championship performances this summer have underlined their quality, and a Saturday fixture at Twickenham will draw a full house. A brilliant occasion.

Book hospitality here.

England v New Zealand

Saturday 21 November 2026 | Allianz Stadium

The headline fixture. New Zealand at Twickenham is always an event, and in a year when the All Blacks are among the leading contenders for the inaugural Nations Championship title, the stakes do not get much higher. England have shown in the Six Nations they can compete with the very best. This is the match that could define their autumn.

Book hospitality here.

The Finals Weekend: History in the Making

The Nations Championship concludes with a three-day finals weekend at Twickenham from 27–29 November, with each northern and southern hemisphere position playing off against its equivalent. The top-ranked northern and southern hemisphere teams meet in the final. Whoever finishes where will be determined by November’s results, meaning every game leading up to it carries weight.

Three separate events are available for the Finals Weekend through Engage:

• Friday Doubleheader, 27 November
• Saturday Doubleheader, 28 November
• Sunday Doubleheader, 29 November

This is a once-in-a-generation occasion: the first ever Nations Championship Finals Weekend, hosted at Twickenham. Availability for all three days will move quickly.

Book Nations Championship Hospitality at Twickenham

England’s three home fixtures and the Finals Weekend represent some of the most compelling rugby hospitality of the year. All fixtures are at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, through Engage’s ICON facility.

Whether you are bringing clients, celebrating with friends, or simply want to be at Twickenham for the moments that define the inaugural Nations Championship, now is the time to secure your place.

View all Nations Championship 2026 hospitality here.