The Fiji Rugby Union has announced that the national team, the Flying Fijians, will participate in the inaugural Nations Championship, an exciting international tournament scheduled to kick off in July 2026. This event is poised to transform the global rugby landscape significantly.
Fiji’s inclusion in this prestigious tournament aligns the nation with elite rugby nations, joining Japan as one of the two invited teams from the Southern Hemisphere. The tournament will feature a lineup of powerhouse teams from both hemispheres, including New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, as well as all teams from the Six Nations: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales.
Created collaboratively by Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR, the Nations Championship’s objective is to unite the twelve strongest rugby teams worldwide and establish a more competitive framework that replaces the traditional July and November test match windows. The championship will culminate in a grand finals weekend in London, where teams will compete for the title of overall champion and the top-performing hemisphere every two years.
In this new format, each team will play six matches against opponents from the opposite hemisphere, enhancing competitive engagement as Northern Hemisphere teams tour the Southern Hemisphere in July, with the reverse happening in November. This initiative ensures that Fiji has consistent access to high-quality test matches, marking a significant advancement for the nation’s rugby efforts.
John Sanday, Chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union, expressed enthusiasm over the historic invitation, seeing it as a breakthrough for Fijian rugby. He emphasized the importance of this development in honoring Fiji’s rich rugby legacy while providing a stable platform for showcasing the talents of its athletes. Sanday remarked, “We now have a stable, elite platform to showcase our athletes and take Fiji rugby to new heights,” which reflects the optimism surrounding the team’s future.
Fiji’s participation in this competitive tournament highlights the nation’s rising prominence in international rugby, especially following a strong performance track record. The Flying Fijians have achieved seven victories out of their last ten Test matches, equipping them with crucial experience for facing elite competition.
As the Flying Fijians prepare for the Nations Championship, the outlook is bright not only for the team but also for the growth of rugby within Fiji. The blend of international exposure and competitive play is expected to inspire a new generation of rugby talent, ensuring that Fiji’s rich rugby tradition continues to flourish.