What is Changing in the Rugby World in 2026 and 2027

Rugby is set for a major evolution in 2026 and 2027, with sweeping changes across the global game. From a revamped international calendar and the launch of the Nations Championship to an expanded Rugby World Cup and a bold new structure for Sevens.

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• Introduction of the Nations Championship & revamped international calendar (2026)
• Rugby World Cup expansion (2027)
• Bold new structure for Sevens (2026)
• Wales: the ‘One Wales’ Transformation
• England: Second-Tier Reform and Hybrid Contracts

The RFU is launching a revamped second division in 2025–26, providing a clearer route back to the top flight. Hybrid contracts under the new Professional Game Partnership (PGP) give the RFU more oversight of player development and workload. These changes modernise the structure of English professional rugby, echoing the global push for better systems and sustainability.

Introduction of the Nations Championships & Revamped International Calendar

From 2026, World Rugby will launch the Nations Championship, a ground-breaking biennial competition involving the world’s top 12 teams. Featuring the Six Nations sides, Rugby Championship countries, and two additional nations (likely Japan and Fiji), this tournament will be played during the existing July and November Test windows.

The current calendar of loosely structured Test matches will be replaced with a more competitive and meaningful format. A second-tier division will run alongside the top tier, with promotion and relegation introduced from 2030, giving emerging nations a clear pathway to the top level. In line with this, the Six Nations Championship will also be shortened from seven weeks to six to streamline the season and align with the new global schedule.

Rugby World Cup Expansion

The 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia promises to be a landmark tournament, ushering in the biggest evolution in the competition’s history. For the first time, the number of participating nations will rise from 20 to 24, opening the door for emerging rugby nations and giving fans the chance to see fresh talent on the world stage. A new structure will also be introduced, with six pools of four teams leading into an exciting Round of 16, creating more knockout drama and competitive balance than ever before.

The tournament will be played over a streamlined six-week window, designed to keep the action fast-paced, reduce long gaps between matches, and improve player welfare—all while maximising fan engagement. Beyond the pitch, this expansion is set to boost rugby’s global reach, increase commercial opportunities, and strengthen the game’s presence in new and developing markets. With Australia’s world-class stadiums, passionate fanbase, and festival-like atmosphere, the 2027 Rugby World Cup is set to be one of the most dynamic and inclusive editions the sport has ever seen.

Bold New Structure for Sevens

Rugby sevens is entering an exciting new era. From 2026, the HSBC SVNS Series (formerly the World Sevens Series) will be reimagined with a bold three-tier structure designed to grow the game globally and elevate its biggest stars.

• Division 1 will showcase the elite of the sport, with the top eight men’s and eight women’s teams competing across six flagship events staged in some of the world’s most iconic rugby destinations.
• Division 2 will give ambitious emerging nations the chance to test themselves against strong international opposition.
• Division 3 will act as a launchpad for developing teams, with pathways into the higher tiers via regional qualifiers and promotion opportunities.

In total, the new season will feature 13 events, each condensed into an intense two-day format that maximises entertainment, reduces travel fatigue for players, and enhances the spectator experience both in stadiums and for global broadcast audiences. The season will culminate in a brand-new World Championship Series, where the best-performing teams battle it out for ultimate supremacy.

Just as importantly, the restructured series will champion inclusivity, with men’s and women’s competitions running side by side and equal pay guaranteed for all athletes—cementing rugby sevens as one of the leading sports for gender parity. With faster tournaments, a wider global reach, and an emphasis on both performance and opportunity, the future of rugby sevens looks brighter than ever.

A New Era for Welsh Rugby: The ‘One Wales’

Welsh rugby is embarking on one of the most ambitious reforms in its history, with a strategy aimed at modernising the game from top to bottom. At its heart is a complete restructuring of professional and performance operations, designed to create a clearer pathway from grassroots to the international stage and ensure greater alignment across all levels of the game.

Key elements of the strategy include:

• A full restructuring of professional and performance operations to improve alignment and competitiveness.

• A new community club funding model, giving local clubs greater stability and support.

• Efficiency savings of up to £5 million, ensuring resources are used more effectively.

The initiative comes at a crucial time, following years of financial pressures and inconsistent performances on the field. By uniting community rugby, regional structures, and national pathways under a shared vision, the strategy seeks to deliver:

• Long-term financial and operational sustainability.

• Stronger connections between community clubs, professional teams, and the national game.

• A renewed sense of pride and competitive edge for Welsh rugby.

This reform marks not just a response to recent challenges, but a bold step towards securing the future of the sport for generations to come.

England: Second-Tier Reform and Hybrid Contracts

In England, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) is undertaking a significant overhaul of its professional structure, aimed at creating greater stability, sustainability, and competitiveness within the domestic game. A cornerstone of this transformation will be the launch of a brand-new second-tier league in the 2025–26 season. This competition is designed not only to provide a more secure and consistent platform for clubs outside the Premiership, but also to offer a clear and stable pathway back to the top flight—ensuring that ambition and opportunity remain central to the professional game’s recovery and growth.

Alongside this, the introduction of the new Professional Game Partnership (PGP) will reshape how England manages its elite players. A key feature of the PGP is the rollout of hybrid contracts, which will allow the RFU to share responsibility with clubs for player employment and development. These contracts will give the union more direct oversight of workload, welfare, and performance management, helping to protect player health while also maximising England’s chances on the international stage.

Together, these measures represent one of the most forward-looking reforms in English rugby in decades. By rebuilding the domestic structure, strengthening pathways, and aligning player management with global best practice, the RFU aims to modernise the sport from grassroots to elite level—laying the foundations for a stronger, more sustainable future.

Mike Tindall’s R360 League: The Future — or a Gamble — for Rugby?

Rugby is no stranger to bold reinvention, but Mike Tindall’s new R360 league might just be its biggest shake-up yet. Set to debut in 2026–27, R360 promises to revolutionise the sport — blending the excitement of rugby’s physical intensity with the entertainment value of global sports events like Formula 1 or the NFL.

Tindall’s vision is ambitious: a franchise-style global league featuring elite men’s and women’s teams, hosted across major cities such as London, Cape Town, Tokyo, and Miami. The concept focuses on shorter, high-energy tournaments, player-driven storytelling, and immersive fan experiences — think live music, digital engagement, and star-studded matchdays. Supporters are calling it rugby’s long-overdue leap into the modern sports entertainment era, offering players better pay and fans a more dynamic, accessible format.

But not everyone’s convinced. Traditionalists fear the commercial focus could undermine rugby’s heritage, diluting the deep-rooted club rivalries and community spirit that make the game special. There are also concerns about how the R360 calendar will fit alongside existing competitions and the international schedule — especially with player welfare already under scrutiny.

Still, one thing’s for certain: R360 has everyone talking. Whether it’s the dawn of a new global rugby era or just another bold experiment, Mike Tindall’s venture is pushing the sport to think bigger, bolder, and beyond its boundaries. And in a world where rugby is fighting to grow its audience, that might be exactly what the game needs.

Between global restructuring and national reform, rugby is poised for its most significant transformation in decades. With better competition structures, improved player welfare strategies, and broader international inclusion, the game is being reshaped to meet the demands of a modern, global audience. Whether you’re a fan, player, or stakeholder, 2026 and 2027 will be seasons to watch—and defining years for the future of rugby.

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