Rugby Schedule 2026: Full Match Calendar and Top Events
Do you love rugby and want to place bets for a shot at a win? Want to get all the latest information as soon as it’s available and stay one step ahead of the rest? You’ve come to the right place! We have prepared an entire calendar of 2026 rugby events, including a month-by-month breakdown of all the major rugby tournaments in 2026 at the end of the article.
2026 Rugby Season in Africa: What Can You Expect?
The Kenya Cup runs across the 2025/2026 season window, with the domestic calendar stretching from late 2025 into 2026 (regular rounds through March, then playoffs in April and the final in early May). :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
The rugby match calendar in Africa usually includes domestic leagues plus Rugby Africa’s flagship tournaments (dates can vary by host union and Rugby Africa announcements). :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
| Zambia Rugby Union League | April – November 2026 | Zambia (Midlands, Copperbelt) |
| Rugby Africa Cup (Men’s XVs) | Dates TBA (check Rugby Africa updates) | Host/venue TBA |
| Rugby Africa Sevens events | Seasonal (dates vary by year) | Various hosts |
You can find the key 2026 rugby fixtures and international tournaments in the following sections.
Major Rugby Tournaments in 2026
Six Nations 2026 Championship
The 2026 Men’s Six Nations runs from February 5 to March 14, 2026, opening with France vs Ireland and finishing on Super Saturday (March 14). :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Nations Championship (NEW in 2026)
World Rugby’s new 12-team Nations Championship launches in 2026, with matches in July and November, plus a Finals Weekend (Nov 27–29) at Twickenham (Allianz Stadium). :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
The Rugby Championship (Important 2026 update)
The Rugby Championship will NOT be played in 2026 (SANZAAR confirmed a pause). It returns in 2027. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
European Rugby Champions Cup
The Investec Champions Cup Final will be played on Saturday, May 23, 2026, with the EPCR Challenge Cup Final on Friday, May 22, 2026 — both in Bilbao at San Mamés Stadium. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
| Round of 16 | April 3–5, 2026 |
| Quarterfinals | April 10–12, 2026 |
| Semifinals | May 1–3, 2026 |
| Final | May 23, 2026 (Bilbao) |
World Rugby U20 Championship (2026)
The World Rugby U20 Championship returns to Georgia in 2026 (Tbilisi and Kutaisi) and expands to 16 teams. Dates are typically in the June–July window, with official match days confirmed by World Rugby closer to the event. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
HSBC SVNS (Rugby Sevens) — 2026 dates
World Rugby confirmed the HSBC SVNS 2026 calendar structure and key event dates, including rounds from late 2025 through June 2026 (World Championship series rounds in Hong Kong, Valladolid, and Bordeaux). :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
African Regional Rugby Events (Kenya & Zambia)
Kenya Cup 2025/2026 (Key 2026 dates)
The Kenya Cup 2025/26 season kicks off in late November 2025, with matchdays running into March 2026, followed by playoffs in April and the final on May 2, 2026. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Zambia Rugby Union League
Zambia’s domestic rugby calendar typically runs from April to November with regional matches and national knockouts. (Exact 2026 match-by-match dates depend on the union’s published fixture list.)
Monthly Rugby Calendar Breakdown for 2026
In this section, we prepared a rugby schedule 2026 with a monthly breakdown. Here, you have instant access to all the upcoming rugby matches this year.
January
- Kenya Cup 2025/26: Regular season continues after the holiday break (Jan–Mar)
- EPCR Champions Cup: Pool stages continue (January weekends)
February
- Six Nations 2026: Starts Feb 5
- HSBC SVNS: Singapore (Jan 31–Feb 1, 2026) and Australia (Feb 7–8, 2026)
March
- Six Nations 2026: Ends March 14
- HSBC SVNS: Vancouver (Mar 7–8, 2026) and USA (Mar 14–15, 2026)
- Kenya Cup 2025/26: Final regular rounds in March
April
- EPCR Champions Cup: Round of 16 (Apr 3–5) + Quarterfinals (Apr 10–12)
- HSBC SVNS World Championship: Hong Kong (Apr 17–19, 2026)
- Kenya Cup 2025/26: Playoffs (mid/late April)
May
- EPCR Champions Cup: Semifinals (May 1–3)
- HSBC SVNS World Championship: Valladolid (May 29–31, 2026)
- EPCR Challenge Cup Final (May 22, 2026) + Champions Cup Final (May 23, 2026) in Bilbao
- Kenya Cup 2025/26: Final (May 2, 2026)
June
- HSBC SVNS World Championship: Bordeaux (June 5–7, 2026)
- World Rugby U20 Championship: June–July window (dates TBA)
July
- Nations Championship: July 2026 match window (southern hemisphere fixtures)
- World Rugby U20 Championship: continues (dates TBA)
August
- Domestic leagues continue (Zambia April–Nov, other national leagues depending on federation)
September
- Domestic leagues and international test windows (varies by union)
October
- Club seasons ramp up (URC / Premiership / Top 14) and European pool rounds begin (season-dependent)
November
- Nations Championship: November 2026 match window (northern hemisphere fixtures)
- Nations Championship Finals Weekend: Nov 27–29, 2026 (Twickenham)
- Zambia Rugby Union League: Knockouts / season closeout (timing depends on published fixtures)
December
- European club rugby pool stages continue (Champions Cup season-dependent)
Why Following the Rugby Calendar Matters in Betting
First, you get the information in advance and can plan your betting strategies. Second, you get comprehensive data about team form, travel fatigue, match relevance, and squad rotations, which you can use for smarter wagering. Third, awareness of external factors will also help you make your own predictions on the potential performance of certain teams.
Rugby Betting FAQ
Where can I view all rugby tournaments 2026?
The full rugby match list is available on our website under the “Rugby” category.
How can I get a bonus for rugby betting?
You can get a 100% match-up promotion of up to 130 EUR (~18,623 KES) after registration.
Can I cash out?
Yes, there’s a cash-out option for some pre-match and live rugby bets. You can check the requirements on the website.
