All roads lead to London: 100 days to go and ticket sales surpass 100,000

The Finals Weekend will ultimately determine the dominant rugby hemisphere in international rugby, ending years of speculation with the awarding of the Nations Championship Hemisphere Trophy. The tournament will also recognise the top team in the world in 2026, who will lift the inaugural Nations Championship Trophy.

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To mark the milestone, the Nations Championship Trophy has toured some of London's most recognisable landmarks, including The Mall at Buckingham Palace Horse Guards Parade, and Millennium Bridge. The images reflect London preparing to welcome the best international rugby teams to one of the sporting capitals of the world.

The innovative Nations Championship features the 12 strongest teams in international rugby, divided into Northern and Southern Hemisphere groups. Two series of matches, all featuring cross-hemisphere face-offs, will determine the table standings for each hemisphere group and therefore seedings for the Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium in London.

The Southern Series has already been played, with 18 matches hosted by the Southern Hemisphere in July. The Northern Series – on the weekends of 7, 14 and 21 November – will see a further 18 matches played across the UK, Ireland, France, and Italy to determine the final hemisphere table standings in the ultimate North v South clash.

In July, the Southern Series cross-hemisphere matches gripped the attention of rugby fans worldwide with 109 tries scored and saw honours even between the hemispheres with the match tally finishing at nine wins apiece.

Presently, the Southern Hemisphere group is headed by the only two unbeaten teams, South Africa and New Zealand, who both played three matches and earned 15 points.

The Northern Hemisphere group is headed by France with two victories and 12 points, followed by Scotland on 11 points and England on 10 points – both of whom have also won two matches. Bonus points could well determine the standings going into the Finals Weekend.

It is all to play for in November when the Southern Hemisphere teams head north. The Northern teams will have home advantage, but they will all be indirectly competing within their hemisphere group to secure a spot in the Grand Final – the match-up between the top teams from each hemisphere.

Ultimately every fixture, every victory, and every point matters. The teams finishing in corresponding positions across the Northern and Southern Hemisphere groups will face each other, creating six head-to-head contests across the Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium. The points awarded from each Finals match victory will determine the dominant rugby hemisphere.

*Nations Championship standings: Click [HERE.](https://nationschampionshiprugby.com/en/match-centre/fixtures)*

SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris said: “The milestone of 100,000 tickets sold with 100 days remaining demonstrates the strong global interest in the Nations Championship and the unique spectacle the Finals Weekend will deliver.

“The July matches showed exactly why the Nations Championship has captured the imagination of players, fans, and nations alike – intensity, rivalry, and meaning in every contest – and now the stage is set for the ultimate North v South finale in London.

“For the Southern Hemisphere nations, this is about more than a Finals Weekend. It is a chance to measure ourselves directly against the best of the North, on one stage, across one extraordinary weekend.

“SANZAAR will be backing the South in London, we have a proud record to defend given the southern hemisphere dominance of Rugby World Cup, and we know our teams, our players, and our supporters will embrace the opportunity to make a powerful statement when the rugby world is watching.”

Tom Harrison, Six Nations Rugby CEO, added: “The Nations Championship is establishing itself as a key pillar of the international rugby calendar and sporting landscape.

“July proved the strength of the new format, with teams highlighting just how exciting the sport can be, and fans responding and tuning in around the world. November stands to pick up where July left off, making the Northern Hemisphere the centre of attention for major sport.

“The Finals Weekend will be a fitting finale to the tournament, and with 100 days to go and over 100,000 tickets already sold, anticipation is rightfully building to what will be an unmissable experience for players and fans.”

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has also commented on the Finals Weekend: “London is the sporting capital of the world and we are proud that in just 100 days, our city will be staging the first ever Nations Championship Finals Weekend.

“More than 100,000 tickets have already been sold for three days of world-class rugby at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, where the ultimate North versus South showdown will reach its thrilling conclusion.

“London is the perfect stage for this landmark event and we look forward to welcoming players and supporters from around the world for a spectacular weekend that will showcase our capital and provide a boost to our local economy.”

With more than 100,000 tickets already sold, fans are encouraged to secure their seats as the countdown to the Finals Weekend continues. Ticket options and price points have been designed to make the three-day festival accessible to the broadest possible range of supporters. Full ticket information and available options can be found on the official Nations Championship website.

Source: Original report at SA Rugby.