Broadcast and Streaming Schedule Announced for All 18 July Matches of the New Rugby "Nations Championship," Including 3 Japan Matches on WOWOW

Kicking off on Saturday, July 4 with "New Zealand vs. France"! WOWOW has secured the rights to broadcast and stream the "Nations Championship," a newly established premier international tournament held every two years, starting in 2026 and continuing until 2030. The broadcast and streaming schedule for the Southern Hemisphere series in July (a total of 18 matches, including 3 matches featuring the Japan national team) has now been confirmed. The schedule for the Northern Hemisphere series and Finals Weekend in November (a total of 24 matches, including 4 matches featuring the Japan national team) will be announced at a later date. The opening match will feature "New Zealand vs. France" on Saturday, July 4. Starting with a clash between the globally popular "All Blacks" and the top European powerhouse aiming for their third consecutive "Six Nations" title, the world's top 12 countries will engage in fierce battles for national pride. The Japan national team will play three matches: against Italy on Saturday, July 4, against Ireland on Saturday, July 11, and against France on Saturday, July 18. The matches against Italy and France will be held in Japan. Additionally, WOWOW will broadcast live the test match between "Australia and Japan" on Saturday, August 15. July 2026 Broadcast and Streaming Schedule for 18 Matches The "Nations Championship" features cross-group matches between a group of six countries representing the Northern Hemisphere (England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, Italy) and a group of six countries comprising four from the Southern Hemisphere (New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, South Africa) plus Japan and Fiji. The 2026 tournament will be held in July (18 matches) and November (24 matches). Each country will play six matches against the teams in the opposing group, plus a seventh match during the Finals Weekend to determine final standings. Please enjoy the ultimate fierce competition among the world's best, delivered by WOWOW in overwhelming volume. **WOWOW Broadcast & Streaming Information** [Program Information] "Rugby's Battle of the Top 12 Nations: Nations Championship" All 18 matches of the July "Southern Hemisphere Series" will be live-streamed on WOWOW On Demand! All 24 matches of the November "Northern Hemisphere Series" and "Finals Weekend" will also be broadcast and streamed on WOWOW! Sat 7/4 3:45 PM "New Zealand vs France" [WOWOW Live] [WOWOW On Demand] Sat 7/4 5:10 PM "Japan vs Italy" [WOWOW Prime] [WOWOW On Demand] Sat 7/4 6:55 PM "Australia vs Ireland" [WOWOW On Demand] Sat 7/4 9:55 PM "Fiji vs Wales" [WOWOW On Demand] Sun 7/5 0:25 AM "South Africa vs England" [WOWOW Prime] [WOWOW On Demand] Sun 7/5 3:55 AM "Argentina vs Scotland" [WOWOW Prime] [WOWOW On Demand] Sat 7/11 1:55 PM "New Zealand vs Italy" [WOWOW Live] [WOWOW On Demand] Sat 7/11 4:25 PM "Australia vs France" [WOWOW Live] [WOWOW On Demand] Sat 7/11 6:50 PM "Japan vs Ireland" [WOWOW Prime] [WOWOW On Demand] Sat 7/11 9:55 PM "Fiji vs England" [WOWOW On Demand] Sun 7/12 0:25 AM "South Africa vs Scotland" [WOWOW Prime] [WOWOW On Demand] Sun 7/12 3:55 AM "Argentina vs Wales" [WOWOW Prime] [WOWOW On Demand] Sat 7/18 3:55 PM "New Zealand vs Ireland" [WOWOW Live] [WOWOW On Demand] Sat 7/18 5:10 PM "Japan vs France" [WOWOW Prime] [WOWOW On Demand] Sat 7/18 6:55 PM "Australia vs Italy" [WOWOW Live] [WOWOW On Demand] Sat 7/18 9:55 PM "Fiji vs Scotland" [WOWOW Live] [WOWOW On Demand] Sun 7/19 0:25 AM "South Africa vs Wales" [WOWOW Prime] [WOWOW On Demand] Sun 7/19 3:55 AM "Argentina vs England" [WOWOW Live] [WOWOW On Demand] [Related Prog