Wales Rugby 2026 Nations Championship November Schedule

See Wales' 2026 Nations Championship November schedule, fixtures, U.S. kickoff times and venues as it looks to improve its standings position.

Oct 29, 2026 by Joe Harrington

Wales Rugby 2026 Nations Championship November Schedule

Wales Rugby returns to action in the 2026 Nations Championship on Nov. 7 against Japan, beginning a three-match November schedule that also includes New Zealand and Australia.

Wales enters the final three rounds of the inaugural competition looking to improve its position in the Northern Hemisphere standings after finishing the July series with one victory and two defeats. Head coach Steve Tandy's team is fifth in the standings with five championship points.

The Welsh will host all three November matches at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, beginning with Japan before facing the All Blacks and Wallabies. Wales then travels to London for Nations Championship Finals Weekend from Nov. 27-29.

Wales Rugby November 2026 Nations Championship Schedule

Wales will play three confirmed Nations Championship matches in November. All kickoff times are Eastern.

Round 4: Wales vs. Japan
Date: Saturday, Nov. 7
Kickoff: 11:40 a.m. ET
Venue: Principality Stadium
Location: Cardiff, Wales

Round 5: Wales vs. New Zealand

Date: Saturday, Nov. 14
Kickoff: 9:10 a.m. ET
Venue: Principality Stadium
Location: Cardiff, Wales

Round 6: Wales vs. Australia

Date: Saturday, Nov. 21
Kickoff: 3:10 p.m. ET
Venue: Principality Stadium
Location: Cardiff, Wales

Nations Championship Finals Weekend

Dates: Nov. 27-29
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Location: London, England

Who Does Wales Play In The 2026 November Internationals?

Wales faces Japan, New Zealand and Australia in the final three regular rounds of the Nations Championship.

Wales vs. Japan Rugby: Nov. 7

Wales opens November against Japan at Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

The Brave Blossoms enter the match fifth in the Southern Hemisphere standings with four championship points after winning one of their three July fixtures. Japan defeated Italy 27-10 in its Nations Championship opener before losing to Ireland 36-20 and France 42-15.

Head coach Eddie Jones' team subsequently won the 2026 Pacific Nations Cup, defeating Fiji 20-15 in the final. However, Japan lost the rematch against Fiji 34-28 on Oct. 24 in Tokyo. The November meeting also renews a closely contested matchup from 2025, when Wales defeated Japan 24-23 in Cardiff.

For Wales, the opener presents an opportunity to earn a second Nations Championship victory and build momentum before facing New Zealand and Australia.

Wales vs. New Zealand Rugby: Nov. 14

Wales hosts the All Blacks at Principality Stadium on Nov. 14 in one of its biggest matches of the November international window.

New Zealand enters the Northern Hemisphere Series unbeaten in the Nations Championship after defeating France 34-32, Italy 47-17 and Ireland 40-21 in July. The All Blacks are second in the Southern Hemisphere standings with 15 championship points, tied with South Africa but trailing the Springboks on points difference.

New Zealand also enters November following two victories over Australia in the Bledisloe Cup, winning 50-19 at Eden Park and 43-21 in Sydney.

Head coach Dave Rennie's squad includes the returning Richie Mo'unga, while star back-row forward Ardie Savea will miss the November series because of a shoulder injury.

For Wales, the match presents one of the toughest challenges of its Nations Championship campaign. The All Blacks are among the leading contenders to reach the Grand Final, and the result could have significant implications for both teams' final standings.

Wales vs. Australia Rugby: Nov. 21

Wales concludes the regular rounds against Australia at Principality Stadium on Nov. 21.

The Wallabies enter November third in the Southern Hemisphere standings with eight championship points after winning one of their three July matches. Australia lost to Ireland 33-31 and France 42-26 before finishing the Southern Hemisphere Series with a 57-10 victory over Italy.

Head coach Les Kiss' team subsequently experienced mixed results, including two October defeats against New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup.

Australia's November squad features captain Harry Wilson, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and returning fly-half Carter Gordon. The Round 6 matchup will be Wales' final opportunity to earn regular-season championship points before the standings determine its Finals Weekend opponent.

With Wales beginning November fifth in the Northern Hemisphere and Australia third in the Southern Hemisphere, both teams have opportunities to improve their positions before traveling to London.

Wales Rugby 2026 Nations Championship Results

Wales finished the July Southern Hemisphere Series with one victory and two defeats, earning five championship points.

The Welsh scored 60 points and conceded 102 across their first three matches.

Round 1: Wales 39, Fiji 24

Date: July 4, 2026
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Location: Cardiff, Wales

Wales opened its Nations Championship campaign with a 39-24 victory over Fiji, collecting five championship points.

Round 2: Argentina 35, Wales 21

Date: July 11, 2026
Venue: Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario
Location: San Juan, Argentina

Wales suffered its first defeat of the competition against Argentina, losing 35-21 in Round 2.

Round 3: South Africa 43, Wales 0

Date: July 18, 2026
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park
Location: Durban, South Africa

Wales concluded the July series with a 43-0 defeat against South Africa.

The Springboks finished the opening three rounds unbeaten and entered November atop the Southern Hemisphere standings.

Where Is Wales In The 2026 Nations Championship Standings?

Wales enters November fifth in the Northern Hemisphere standings with five championship points.

France leads the Northern Hemisphere with 12 points, followed by Scotland with 11. England and Ireland each have 10 points, while Italy is sixth with zero.

Northern Hemisphere Standings Entering November

France: 12 points (2-1)
Scotland: 11 points (2-1)
England: 10 points (2-1)
Ireland: 10 points (2-1)
Wales: 5 points (1-2)
Italy: 0 points (0-3)

Wales trails France by seven championship points, Scotland by six and England and Ireland by five.

The Welsh can earn a maximum of 15 additional championship points during November by winning all three matches and collecting a try-scoring bonus point in each.

Although Wales faces a difficult path to the Grand Final, the team still has an opportunity to climb the Northern Hemisphere standings and improve its Finals Weekend placement.

How Does The 2026 Nations Championship Work?

The inaugural Nations Championship features 12 teams divided into Northern and Southern Hemisphere groups.

England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales represent the Northern Hemisphere. Argentina, Australia, Fiji, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa make up the Southern Hemisphere.

Each country plays six regular-round matches against teams from the opposite hemisphere, with three rounds in July and three in November.

Teams earn four championship points for a victory and two for a draw. They also can earn one bonus point for scoring at least four tries and another for losing by seven points or fewer.

The teams are ranked within their respective hemispheres after six rounds.

The first-place teams from each hemisphere advance to the Nations Championship Grand Final, while the remaining teams play placement matches against opponents finishing in the corresponding position in the opposite hemisphere.

All 12 countries will compete during Finals Weekend in London.

When Is The 2026 Nations Championship Final?

The inaugural Nations Championship Grand Final takes place Sunday, Nov. 29, at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, London.

Kickoff is scheduled for 11:40 a.m. ET.

The championship match will feature the first-place Northern Hemisphere team against the first-place Southern Hemisphere team after six regular rounds. There are no semifinals.

Wales enters November seven points behind Northern Hemisphere leader France. To reach the Grand Final, the Welsh must finish first in their hemisphere after Round 6.

Regardless of their final position, Wales will compete during Finals Weekend from Nov. 27-29.

The five placement matches also contribute to the Hemisphere Challenge, a separate competition between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere teams.

How To Watch Wales Rugby In The United States

The 2026 Nations Championship streams in the United States on RugbyPass TV.

That includes Wales' November matches against Japan on Nov. 7, New Zealand on Nov. 14 and Australia on Nov. 21, along with the Nations Championship Finals Weekend from Nov. 27-29.

How To Watch Wales Rugby Stars Year-Round On FloRugby

Rugby fans in the United States can follow many of Wales' leading international players throughout the professional club season on FloRugby.

FloRugby is the U.S. streaming home of the United Rugby Championship, which features Wales' four professional clubs: Cardiff Rugby, Dragons Rugby, Ospreys Rugby and Scarlets Rugby.

These clubs provide opportunities for American fans to watch Welsh international players compete against leading teams from Ireland, Scotland, Italy and South Africa throughout the season.

FloRugby also streams the Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, Gallagher PREM, Top 14 and Japan Rugby League One.

The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup feature top European clubs, while the Gallagher PREM and Top 14 provide opportunities to follow Welsh internationals competing outside their home country.

Together, these competitions give U.S. fans access to many of Wales' leading rugby players beyond the international Test windows.

Fans can watch live matches and replays on FloRugby and the FloSports app.

Wales Rugby November 2026 FAQ

When Does Wales Play Japan Rugby?

Wales plays Japan on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:40 a.m. ET.

When Does Wales Play New Zealand Rugby?

Wales hosts New Zealand on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:10 a.m. ET.

When Does Wales Play Australia Rugby?

Wales plays Australia on Saturday, Nov. 21, at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET.

Who Is Wales' Rugby Coach In 2026?

Steve Tandy is Wales' head coach for the 2026 Nations Championship.

Who Is The Wales Rugby Captain In 2026?

Hooker Dewi Lake captains Wales for the November 2026 Nations Championship. Lake was named captain of the 39-player squad announced Oct. 20.

What Is Wales' Record In The 2026 Nations Championship?

Wales enters November with a 1-2 record after defeating Fiji and losing to Argentina and South Africa in July. The Welsh are fifth in the Northern Hemisphere standings with five championship points.

Where Is Wales Playing Its November Rugby Matches?

Wales hosts Japan, New Zealand and Australia at Principality Stadium in Cardiff before traveling to London for Nations Championship Finals Weekend.

Can Wales Reach The Nations Championship Grand Final?

Yes. Wales remains mathematically eligible to reach the Grand Final but must finish first in the Northern Hemisphere standings after six rounds. The Welsh enter November seven points behind France and would need strong results and favorable outcomes elsewhere.

When Is The 2026 Nations Championship Final?

The Grand Final is Sunday, Nov. 29, at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, London. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:40 a.m. ET.

Where Can I Watch Wales Rugby In The United States?

The Nations Championship streams on RugbyPass TV in the United States. Fans also can watch Welsh professional clubs Cardiff Rugby, Dragons RFC, Ospreys and Scarlets compete in the United Rugby Championship on FloRugby.

Can I Watch Rugby All Year On FloRugby?

Yes. FloRugby offers live and on-demand rugby throughout the year with a subscription.

Fans can follow major club competitions and international rugby on FloRugby and the FloSports app. Match availability varies by region and broadcast rights.

What Rugby Competitions Can I Watch On FloRugby?

FloRugby streams the United Rugby Championship, Gallagher PREM, Top 14, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup and more.

Visit the FloRugby watch schedule to explore upcoming events. Availability varies by location and competition rights.

Where Can I Find Rugby News, Schedules And Results?

FloRugby provides rugby news, schedules, results, rankings and analysis throughout the season.

Visit FloRugby.com for the latest coverage from Europe's leading club competitions and beyond.

Where Can I Follow FloRugby?

Follow FloRugby for rugby news, highlights and updates throughout the season.