How to watch Nations Championship Rugby 2026 for free from anywhere
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The Nations Championship 2026 kicks off this weekend, bringing rugby's new 12-team international tournament to screens worldwide – and the best news is that every single match is available for free in the UK, Ireland, and France.
Starting Saturday, July 4, 2026, this inaugural tournament brings together the Six Nations powerhouses (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales) and the Rugby Championship giants (Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa), plus Fiji and Japan, in a new format that runs across 42 matches through July and November. The tournament culminates at Finals Weekend from November 27–29, 2026 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
In the United Kingdom, all 42 matches stream free on ITVX and air on ITV and STV terrestrial channels. In Ireland, every fixture is free on Virgin Media Play and selected matches on Virgin Media One.
These free streams are geo-restricted to their home countries, so viewers traveling abroad will need a VPN to access them. Below, we'll show you exactly how to watch every Nations Championship match for free from anywhere in the world.
Where to watch Nations Championship Rugby 2026
Here's where to watch the Nations Championship across major markets:
| Country | Streaming Service | Price |
| United Kingdom | ITVX / ITV / STV | Free |
| Ireland | Virgin Media Play | Free |
| France | TF1+ | Free |
| Australia | Stan Sport / 9Now (Wallabies home games only) | From AU$20/month / Free (9Now) |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport NZ | From NZ$54.99/month |
| South Africa | SuperSport | Varies by DStv package |
| United States | RugbyPass TV | Free (registration required) |
| Italy | Sky Sport Italia | Paid |
| Japan | Wowow | Paid |
| Global (rest of world) | RugbyPass TV | Free (registration required) |
How to watch Nations Championship Rugby 2026 for free
The entire Nations Championship 2026 is available for free on ITVX in the UK, Virgin Media Play in Ireland, and TF1+ in France. All three platforms carry every match live and on demand at no cost – but they're geo-restricted to their home countries due to licensing agreements. If you're traveling abroad or living outside the UK, Ireland, or France, a VPN lets you connect to a server in the right country and access the free stream legally. Check out the best VPNs for streaming to find the right option for you.
- Choose a reliable VPN. We recommend NordVPN for streaming the Nations Championship. It uses the fast NordLynx protocol for smooth HD rugby streaming, and supports Smart DNS for compatible smart TVs. NordVPN is currently offering up to 75% off 2-year plans.
- Download and install the VPN app on your device (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or supported smart TV).
- Connect to a server in the UK (for ITVX), Ireland (for Virgin Media Play), or France (for TF1+).
- Go to the free streaming platform. Open ITVX, Virgin Media Play, or TF1+ in your browser or app.
- Create a free account if required. ITVX and Virgin Media Play both require free registration. You may need to enter a valid UK or Irish postcode during signup – simply use any valid postcode from that country (Google "London postcode" or "Dublin postcode" for examples).
- Start streaming for free. Watch all 42 Nations Championship matches live and on demand, including Finals Weekend at Twickenham in November.
How to watch in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia
How to watch in the United Kingdom
In the UK, ITV and STV hold exclusive rights to every Nations Championship 2026 match. All 42 fixtures stream free on ITVX and air across ITV's terrestrial channels. This opening weekend, New Zealand vs France, Australia vs Ireland, and Fiji vs Wales broadcast on ITV1, while Japan vs Italy, South Africa vs England, and Argentina vs Scotland air on ITV4.
ITVX is free to use but requires a short registration. You'll need a valid TV Licence to stream live TV in the UK. Wales matches also air on S4C with Welsh-language commentary, available on BBC iPlayer and S4C Clic.
The opening match, New Zealand vs France, kicks off at 8:10am BST on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
How to watch in Ireland
Free-to-air Virgin Media Television is showing every Nations Championship fixture on its Virgin Media Play streaming platform in Ireland. All 42 matches stream live and on demand for free.
This Saturday, New Zealand vs France, Australia vs Ireland, Fiji vs Wales, South Africa vs England, and Argentina vs Scotland also air on the Virgin Media One terrestrial channel.
Virgin Media Play is free to use but requires registration before you can access content. Ireland's opening match against Australia kicks off at 11:10am IST (12:10pm CEST) on Saturday, July 4.
How to watch in France
Free broadcaster TF1 has picked up exclusive rights to the entire Nations Championship in France. Every game streams on TF1+, with most matches also airing on TF1 or TMC broadcast channels.
This opening weekend, New Zealand vs France, South Africa vs England, and Argentina vs Scotland air on TF1. Australia vs Ireland and Fiji vs Wales broadcast on TMC.
France's opening match against New Zealand kicks off at 9:10am CEST on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
How to watch in the United States
In countries where no broadcaster purchased Nations Championship rights – including the United States – you can watch every match on RugbyPass TV, World Rugby's official streaming platform. It's free to use but requires registration before you can access the live streams.
The opening weekend kicks off at 3:10am ET / 12:10am PT on Saturday, July 4 with New Zealand vs France.
How to watch in Australia
Down under, all 42 Nations Championship 2026 matches stream on Stan Sport, which costs AU$20/month as an add-on to a standard Stan subscription (AU$12/month). Stan Sport also carries Premier League, Champions League, and other major rugby tournaments.
Every Wallabies home game – including Saturday's clash with Ireland – is also available for free on 9Now and Channel 9. Australia's opening match kicks off at 8:10pm AEST on Saturday, July 4.
How to watch in Canada
Canada does not have a confirmed broadcaster for the Nations Championship 2026. Viewers can access the tournament for free on RugbyPass TV with registration.
The opening weekend starts at 3:10am ET / 12:10am PT on Saturday, July 4.
How to watch Nations Championship Rugby 2026 on different devices
Not every streaming service runs on every device, and VPN availability also varies by platform. The table below shows exactly what works where so you can pick the easiest setup for your screen.
| Device | ITVX | Virgin Media Play | TF1+ | NordVPN | How to use VPN |
| Web browser (desktop) | Web | Web | Web | Yes | Native app |
| Web browser (mobile) | Web | Web | Web | Yes | Native app |
| iPhone / iPad | App | App | App | Yes | Native app |
| Android phone / tablet | App | App | App | Yes | Native app |
| Android TV / Google TV | App | App | App | Yes | Native app |
| Amazon Fire TV | App | Sideload | App | Yes | Native app |
| Apple TV | App | App | App | Yes | Native app |
| Samsung TV (Tizen) | App | No | App | No | Smart DNS or router |
| LG TV (webOS) | App | No | App | No | Smart DNS or router |
| Roku | No | No | No | No | Router or Smart DNS |
| PlayStation | Web/cast | Web/cast | Web | No | Router |
| Xbox | Web/cast | Web/cast | Web | No | Router |
The web browser is the easiest path on any device. No app install, no app store region issues – just connect the VPN and open the broadcaster's site. Devices without a native VPN app (Samsung TV, LG TV, Roku, PlayStation, Xbox) need either a router-level VPN setup or the provider's Smart DNS feature. NordVPN supports both methods and publishes detailed setup guides for major router models.
Best VPNs to watch Nations Championship Rugby 2026
The VPNs below have been tested for international rugby streaming, with fast speeds, reliable unblocking of UK, Irish, and French free broadcasters, and stable HD playback for live sports. These are the top recommendations for watching Nations Championship 2026 from anywhere.
- NordVPN – best overall for streaming. NordVPN starts at $3.49/month on the 2-year plan, with NordLynx delivering approximately 83% of baseline speeds in our tests. Smart DNS support and reliable unblocking of ITVX, Virgin Media Play, and TF1+ make it the strongest pick for accessing Nations Championship matches abroad. Read our full NordVPN review for details.
- Surfshark – best budget option. Surfshark starts at $2.49/month with unlimited simultaneous connections. The modern WireGuard protocol holds around 82% of baseline speeds in our tests, which is enough for smooth HD coverage of free streams from ITVX, Virgin Media Play, or TF1+. See our Surfshark review for more.
- Proton VPN – best for privacy-focused users. Proton VPN starts at $2.99/month and operates under Swiss privacy jurisdiction. Streaming performance is solid for live rugby, and the service even offers a free plan with limited features. Check our Proton VPN review for the full breakdown.
Frequently asked questions about Nations Championship Rugby 2026
What is the Nations Championship 2026?
The Nations Championship 2026 is a new biennial international rugby tournament featuring 12 teams: the Six Nations (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales) and the Rugby Championship (Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa), plus Fiji and Japan. The format splits teams into two groups (Northern vs Southern Hemisphere) competing across six rounds – three in July, three in November – culminating in Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham from November 27–29, 2026. A total of 42 matches will be played across the tournament.
When does the Nations Championship 2026 start?
The Nations Championship 2026 kicks off on Saturday, July 4, 2026 with opening weekend fixtures including New Zealand vs France (8:10am BST), Australia vs Ireland (11:10am BST), South Africa vs England (4:40pm BST), Japan vs Italy, Fiji vs Wales, and Argentina vs Scotland. The tournament concludes with Finals Weekend at Twickenham from November 27–29, 2026.
Can I watch the Nations Championship for free?
Yes – the entire tournament is free in the UK on ITVX, Ireland on Virgin Media Play, and France on TF1+. Australia offers Wallabies home games free on 9Now. The US and rest of world can watch for free on RugbyPass TV with registration. All free streams are geo-restricted to their home countries, so viewers abroad will need a VPN to access them.
How can I watch the Nations Championship from abroad?
Free streams on ITVX, Virgin Media Play, and TF1+ are geo-blocked outside their home countries due to licensing restrictions. A VPN lets you connect to a UK, Irish, or French server to access the free stream from anywhere. We recommend NordVPN – connect to a server in the right country, then open the streaming platform as normal. The same technique works for travelers who already subscribe to paid services like Stan Sport (Australia), Sky Sport NZ (New Zealand), or SuperSport (South Africa) and lose access when they leave home. Check out the best VPNs for streaming for more options.
Where can I watch Nations Championship highlights and replays?
UK: ITVX offers full match replays on demand for all 42 matches. Ireland: Virgin Media Play carries on-demand replays of every fixture. France: TF1+ streams all matches on demand. Global: World Rugby's official YouTube channel and RugbyPass TV will likely publish highlights and clips after each match. Broadcaster YouTube channels including ITV Football may also post free clips – confirm individual channels closer to each match. On-demand replays on ITVX, Virgin Media Play, and TF1+ are geo-blocked the same way as the live streams, so the same VPN technique unlocks the full on-demand catalog from abroad.
