2026 WXV

2026 WXV will be the third edition of WXV, a series of Women's international rugby union fixtures for national teams organised by World Rugby and national unions. It is the first edition under the revamped WXV Global Series format, which moves the top 12 nations to a home-and-away touring model while six emerging nations play at a single host tournament funded by World Rugby.

Format

The WXV Global Series is fully aligned with the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup qualification pathway, offering clear progression opportunities for teams across both levels and all six of World Rugby's regions.

The top 12 teams compete in home-and-away touring fixtures arranged between member unions, 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. The six emerging nations will compete at the Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong from 13 to 26 September, with triple-header matchdays on 13, 19 and 26 September.

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 the WXV Global Series.

WXV Global Series

The 2026 WXV Global Series features home-and-away touring fixtures arranged between member unions across the September–October international window.

Participating nations

Fixtures

Fixtures are arranged directly between member unions.

England home series – September

England host Australia, Canada and New Zealand across three venues in September 2026. The second fixture will see the rematch of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup final between England and Canada.

Australia – Northern Hemisphere tour (September)

The Wallaroos will play three Tests in the Northern Hemisphere in September 2026, including one against England on 12 September. The remaining fixtures are yet to be confirmed.

Australia vs Scotland – October

The two-Test series will be Scotland's first-ever tour of Australia.

New Zealand vs France – October

The three-Test series between New Zealand and France will take place in October 2026.

WXV Global Challenger Series

The 2026 WXV Global Challenger Series will take place at the Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong from 13 to 26 September, with triple-header matchdays on 13, 19 and 26 September. The competition is fully funded by World Rugby and follows the cross-pool format of the previous WXV system, with two pools of three, each playing matches against teams in the other pool.

Participating nations

See also

• 2026 women's rugby union internationals
• 2026 Nations Championship

Notes