Venues Confirmed for Nations Championship July Series

Organizers of the inaugural Nations Championship have confirmed venues for the July Southern Series, featuring matches across the globe between top rugby teams from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The series begins on July 4 with New Zealand hosting France at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, marking the first international fixture at the 30,000-capacity venue, while Fiji will play its designated home game against Wales at Cardiff City Stadium in Wales.

The tournament involves 12 nations divided into two groups of six, with each team facing three opponents from the rival hemisphere during the July window. Points accumulated will shape group standings and determine matchups for the finals weekend in November at Allianz Stadium in London. The event replaces traditional ad hoc tours and one-off tests, aiming to add structure and stakes to international rugby outside major tournaments.

Round one on July 4 includes several high-profile clashes. Australia will face Ireland at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, which seats 42,500 and has hosted events like the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Japan hosts Italy at Chichibunomiya Stadium in Tokyo, a 27,000-seat venue from the 1964...