The WXV Global Series 2026 will bring 18 leading women's rugby nations into a new international competition format, with the top 12 teams playing home-and-away cross-regional fixtures and six other nations competing in a centrally hosted Challenger tournament.
The competition marks a major change in the structure of women's international rugby. Instead of concentrating the leading teams in one tournament location, the new format takes matches to different countries during an eight-week global window.
The new series is also part of the wider international pathway toward the Women's Rugby World Cup 2029.
Important Date and Location Update
The 2026 WXV Global Series is not a tournament being held in Poland from 18 to 20 September.
The main WXV Global Series runs from 12 September to 31 October 2026 across multiple countries. The six-team WXV Global Series Challenger will be played in Hong Kong from 13 to 26 September 2026.
This distinction is important because the main series and Challenger competition have different formats and schedules.
- What Is the WXV Global Series?
- WXV Global Series 2026 Dates and Format
- The 12 Teams in the Main Series
- WXV Global Series Challenger 2026
- Challenger Match Schedule
- Key Matches to Watch
- Major Storylines
- South Africa's Rugby Storyline
- Road to Women's Rugby World Cup 2029
- How to Follow the WXV Global Series
- WXV Global Series 2026 FAQ
- Related Rugby Article
What Is the WXV Global Series?
The WXV Global Series is the next stage in the development of World Rugby's women's international competition calendar.
The 2026 edition features 18 national teams divided into two parts. The top 12 teams will play a home-and-away touring model involving cross-regional fixtures.
The other six teams will compete in the centrally hosted WXV Global Series Challenger in Hong Kong.
The new structure is designed to provide more regular international fixtures while giving unions opportunities to host matches in their home markets.
WXV Global Series 2026 Dates and Format
| Competition | Teams | Dates | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| WXV Global Series | 12 | 12 September – 31 October 2026 | Home-and-away cross-regional fixtures |
| WXV Global Series Challenger | 6 | 13–26 September 2026 | Centrally hosted triple-header competition |
The main competition begins on 12 September 2026 and concludes on 31 October 2026.
The Challenger takes place from 13 to 26 September and features three match days in Hong Kong.
The 12 Teams in the Main Series
The main WXV Global Series features these 12 teams:
- Australia
- Canada
- England
- France
- Italy
- Ireland
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Scotland
- South Africa
- United States
- Wales
These teams will compete in cross-regional fixtures rather than traditional pools at a single venue.
England
England are one of the main teams to watch in the new competition. Their schedule includes major fixtures against Australia and Canada.
New Zealand
New Zealand remains one of the leading names in women's rugby. Their program includes matches against France and Scotland, followed by another meeting with France later in the series.
France
France will face New Zealand and Australia during the competition. Those fixtures will provide important tests against leading opposition.
Canada
Canada open their campaign against Scotland before facing England twice during the series.
South Africa
South Africa will also attract attention during the 2026 series. Their schedule includes a match against Wales and two meetings with Ireland, including the final WXV Global Series test in Cape Town on 31 October.
South Africa also has a strong recent rugby development story across different age groups. Read more about South Africa's 2026 Junior World Rugby Championship victory on LankaSport.
WXV Global Series Challenger 2026
The six-team WXV Global Series Challenger will be played in Hong Kong from 13 to 26 September 2026.
The participating teams are
- Brazil
- Fiji
- Hong Kong China
- Netherlands
- Samoa
- Spain
The Challenger uses a centralized format with three match days. Each matchday features a triple header.
The competition therefore contains nine international matches across the three rounds.
WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 Match Schedule
All times below are local time in Hong Kong.
| Round | Date | Match | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 13 September | Spain vs Fiji | 12:00 |
| Round 1 | 13 September | Hong Kong, China vs Brazil | 15:30 |
| Round 1 | 13 September | Netherlands vs Samoa | 19:00 |
| Round 2 | 19 September | Samoa vs. Spain | 12:00 |
| Round 2 | 19 September | Hong Kong, China vs. Fiji | 15:30 |
| Round 2 | 19 September | Brazil vs. Netherlands | 19:00 |
| Round 3 | 26 September | Fiji vs. the Netherlands | 12:00 |
| Round 3 | 26 September | Hong Kong, China vs. Samoa | 15:30 |
| Round 3 | 26 September | Spain vs Brazil | 19:00 |
Key Matches to Watch
England vs Australia
The main series begins with England vs Australia in Manchester on 12 September. It is one of the headline fixtures of the opening weekend.
France vs. New Zealand
France and New Zealand meet in Lyon on 12 September. The match brings two major women's rugby nations together at the beginning of the new competition.
Scotland vs Canada
Scotland hosts Canada in Edinburgh on 12 September. The fixture is another important cross-regional test on the opening weekend.
England vs Canada
England and Canada are scheduled to meet twice during the series. Their repeated meetings are among the most notable fixtures on the calendar.
South Africa vs Ireland
South Africa and Ireland will meet in the final main-series test on 31 October in Cape Town.
The fixture is particularly notable because World Rugby has highlighted the long gap between the teams' previous competitive meetings.
Major Storylines for the 2026 WXV Global Series
A New Global Competition Model
The biggest change is the move away from a single tournament location for the top 12 teams.
Instead, the competition travels across different rugby markets during an eight-week international window.
More Cross-Regional Rugby
The schedule gives teams opportunities to face opponents from different rugby regions. This can provide valuable international experience and create new rivalries.
The Challenger Pathway
The six-team Challenger gives Brazil, Fiji, Hong Kong, China, the Netherlands, Samoa, and Spain a dedicated international competition during the wider WXV window.
Women's Rugby Continues to Expand
The new competition reflects the continued expansion of the international women's rugby calendar, with more teams receiving opportunities to play meaningful international fixtures.
Road to Women's Rugby World Cup 2029
World Rugby has positioned the WXV Global Series as part of the wider international pathway toward the Women's Rugby World Cup 2029.
The three-year competition cycle from 2026 to 2028 is intended to provide more consistent international fixtures for participating unions.
The rankings used to establish the positions for the cycle were set at the conclusion of WXV 2024 and remain fixed for the 2026–2028 cycle.
This gives the new competition a stable structure while teams continue preparing for the next Women's Rugby World Cup.
How to Follow the WXV Global Series 2026
Broadcast rights can vary by country and may change as the competition approaches. Fans should check World Rugby and their local rugby broadcaster for the latest television and streaming information.
The official WXV website is the best place to check the latest fixtures, match information, and competition updates.
International fans should also check the local kick-off time and broadcaster in their country before each match.
WXV Global Series 2026 FAQ
When does the WXV Global Series 2026 start?
The main WXV Global Series 2026 starts on 12 September 2026.
When does the WXV Global Series 2026 finish?
The main WXV Global Series 2026 finishes on 31 October 2026.
Is the WXV Global Series 2026 being held in Poland?
No. The main WXV Global Series is played across multiple countries. The six-team Challenger is hosted in Hong Kong from 13 to 26 September 2026.
How many teams are in the WXV Global Series?
The overall WXV Global Series structure features 18 national teams. Twelve compete in the main series and six compete in the Challenger.
Which teams are in the main WXV Global Series?
The 12 teams are Australia, Canada, England, France, Italy, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, USA and Wales.
Which teams are in the WXV Global Series Challenger?
The Challenger teams are Brazil, Fiji, Hong Kong, China, the Netherlands, Samoa, and Spain.
Where is the WXV Global Series Challenger being played?
The Challenger is being played at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground in Hong Kong.
How many matches are in the WXV Global Series Challenger?
The Challenger features nine international matches across three triple-header match days.
Is the WXV Global Series connected to the Women's Rugby World Cup 2029?
Yes. The WXV Global Series is part of the international pathway toward the Women's Rugby World Cup 2029.
Related Rugby Article
Read more about South Africa's 2026 Junior World Rugby Championship victory and the country's recent success in international rugby.
Final Thoughts
The WXV Global Series 2026 represents a major change in the structure of women's international rugby.
Instead of concentrating the leading teams in one tournament location, the new model takes the competition to different rugby markets across an eight-week window.
With 12 leading nations involved in the main series and six more competing in the Challenger, fans will have a large program of women's international rugby to follow from September through October.
The opening fixtures in Manchester, Lyon, and Edinburgh will set the tone for the new competition, while the final matches in October will complete the first WXV Global Series on the road toward the Women's Rugby World Cup 2029.
Information checked: September 2026. Match dates and competition details are based on official World Rugby information available at the time of publication.