Rugby's New International Tournament Kicks Off! Japan National Team Matches to Be Live-Viewed in Cinemas for the First Time! 'Nations Championship 2026' Screening at 36 AEON Cinemas Nationwide

WOWOW Inc. has announced a partnership with AEON Entertainment, which operates AEON Cinemas, to live-stream three matches of the Japan national rugby team from the newly launched international rugby tournament 'Nations Championship 2026' at 36 cinemas across Japan. This will be the first-ever live cinema viewing event for Japan's national team matches.

■ A New Era of International Competition: 'Nations Championship 2026'

The 'Nations Championship 2026' is a new international rugby tournament launching in 2026, featuring 12 nations from around the world. With top-tier teams from both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres competing in a new format to determine the world's strongest team, the tournament is poised to become a flagship event driving the future of global rugby.

■ Expanding the Spectator Experience Through Cinemas

Positioned as a 'third way to watch'—following stadium attendance and television viewing—this cinema live-viewing initiative offers a new form of rugby engagement. The immersive big-screen visuals, powerful surround sound, and shared audience excitement create a collective experience, delivering a new value: the ability to 'feel and share' the thrill of Japan's national matches as a live event. Additionally, since Japan's July matches are not scheduled for terrestrial broadcast, this cinema viewing offers a rare and valuable opportunity for rugby fans to watch the games live.

Since the Rugby World Cup, the Japan national team has continued to grow in popularity and fan base domestically. However, access to live broadcasts remains limited due to fragmented viewing platforms. Through this initiative, WOWOW aims to bring the excitement of rugby to a broader audience and promote a new style of match viewing.

In 2026, with just one year remaining until the next Rugby World Cup, rugby is entering a new era—and so is the way fans experience Japan's national team. This is your first chance to watch a Japan national rugby match in a cinema. Don’t miss this unique and electrifying experience!

【Event Overview】

'Nations Championship 2026: Live Viewing'

※ This live viewing will screen three high-profile Japan national team matches in cinemas.

※ Cast and commentators will be announced within the program.

【Screening Matches】
July 4 (Sat) – 17:00 doors open, 17:40 kickoff – Japan vs Italy
(Guest Analyst: Daisuke Nagare / Analyst: Shiro Tanaka / Play-by-Play: Hiroshi Sumida)

July 11 (Sat) – 18:40 doors open, 19:10 kickoff – Japan vs Ireland
(Analyst: Daisuke Ohata / Play-by-Play: Hiromitsu Taniguchi)

July 18 (Sat) – 17:00 doors open, 17:40 kickoff – Japan vs France
(Guest Analyst: Ayumu Goromaru / Analyst: Shotaro Onishi / Play-by-Play: Kenjiro Toyohara)

【Screening Theaters】36 AEON Cinemas nationwide

【Ticket Prices】General: ¥4,000 (tax included) / High school students and under: ¥2,000 (tax included)

◆ For ticket purchases and details, visit the official AEON Cinema website:
https://www.aeoncinema.com/cinema/event/nationschampionshiprugby2026.html

Credit: Getty Images / Photo Aflo

WOWOW will live-stream every match of the newly established global rugby tournament in 2026! A head-to-head competition between six Northern Hemisphere nations and six others—including Japan and Fiji—representing the Southern Hemisphere, totaling 12 nations.

In men's 15-a-side rugby, a new world-class international tournament called the 'Nations Championship' has been established, featuring two groups: one comprising six Northern Hemisphere nations (England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, Italy), and another combining four Southern Hemisphere nations (New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, South Africa) with Japan and Fiji, making six teams. These groups will compete across hemispheres.

Held biennially, the 2026 tournament will take place in July and November. WOWOW will broadcast and live-stream all matches (some via live streaming only).

Each nation will face six teams from the opposing group. The top team from the Northern Hemisphere group and the top team from the Southern Hemisphere group will meet in the Finals Weekend to decide the champion, while the remaining teams will play for ranking points within their respective groups.

This is a global mega-event where 12 elite national teams clash, with the world’s best players competing for the newest title in rugby history.

Key teams to watch in the Northern Hemisphere group include France, ranked 4th globally and led by Antoine Dupont, who won back-to-back Six Nations titles in 2025 and 2026. Also strong is Ireland, ranked 3rd globally and winner of the 2023 and 2024 Six Nations Championships.

In the Southern Hemisphere group, South Africa stands as the undisputed world No. 1, having won two consecutive Rugby World Cups and currently holding two titles in The Rugby Championship. New Zealand, ranked 2nd globally, aims for the top under new head coach Dave Rennie. Which nation will claim the inaugural 'Nations Championship' title? This tournament will foreshadow the direction of the 2027 Rugby World Cup and is a must-watch, even for casual rugby fans!

※ World rankings as of May 7, 2026.

※ Further details on broadcast schedules, cast, and commentators will be announced gradually via the WOWOW Rugby official website and official social media channels.

※ [Broadcast] refers to TV broadcast; [Streaming] is available on WOWOW On Demand.

＜Related Information＞

■ Check the official program website and social media for the latest updates on broadcasts and streaming:

[WOWOW On Demand] https://wod.wowow.co.jp/genre/rugby

[WOWOW Rugby Official Website] https://www.wowow.co.jp/sports/rugby/

[WOWOW Rugby Official X] https://x.com/wowow_rugby

[WOWOW Official YouTube] https://www.youtube.com/user/WOWOWofficial

[WOWOW Rugby Official Instagram] https://www.instagram.com/wowow_rugby?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw