Fiji's Jiuta Wainiqolo (L) runs the ball towards the try line during the rugby Test match between Fiji and Scotland at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on July 12, 2025. Photo: AFP / Josua Buredua
Fiji will take part in a new international rugby tournament starting next year.
Fiji joins Japan as an invitational Southern Hemisphere nation, alongside SANZAAR countries New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina.
The Northern Hemisphere teams are Six Nations sides England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
The new competition will conclude with a finals weekend in November at Twickenham in London, where all 12 nations will chase a placing.
The deciding clash will be between the top-ranked northern and southern hemisphere sides.
Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) said the new competition guarantees regular world-class test rugby.
FRU chairman John Sanday said being invited into the Nations Championship places them alongside the very best in world rugby.
"Fiji's rugby... has long captured the world's imagination. Now we have a consistent, structured top-tier stage to showcase our talent."
Reuters reported there has been talk that Fiji will host their matches on neutral ground, where the gate takings would be a boost to their coffers while easing the travel demands on their opponents.
The BBC has reported Fiji would host their clash against England in South Africa in July 2026.
The FRU has been negotiating the hosting of three Test matches against Six Nations teams - England, Scotland and Wales - away.
"There is just no way we can host it at home at the moment as we don't have the stadium with the minimum stipulations," Sanday told RNZ Pacific in July.
"In order for the FRU to become a global brand and a financially successful business, we have to make the tough but smart decisions in the interim.
"We will eventually get the games here once we can demonstrate that it will be financially successful."
Southern Series 2026
4-5 July: Argentina v Scotland, Australia v Ireland, Fiji v Wales, Japan v Italy, New Zealand v France, South Africa v England
11-12 July: Argentina v Wales, Australia v France, Fiji v England, Japan v Ireland, New Zealand v Italy, South Africa v Scotland
18-19 July: Argentina v England, Australia v Italy, Fiji v Scotland, Japan v France, New Zealand v Ireland, South Africa v Wales
Northern Series 2026
7-8 November: England v Australia, France v Fiji, Ireland v Argentina, Italy v South Africa, Scotland v New Zealand, Wales v Japan
14-15 November: England v Japan, France v South Africa, Ireland v Fiji, Italy v Argentina, Scotland v Australia, Wales v New Zealand
21-22 November: England v New Zealand, France v Argentina, Ireland v South Africa, Italy v Fiji, Scotland v Japan, Wales v Australia
Finals weekend
28-30 November: North 6th v South 6th, North 5th v South 5th, North 4th v South 4th, North 3rd v South 3rd, North 2nd v South 2nd, North 1st v South 1st.
