Australia will play two-Test games against Argentina and Japan next year in a 14-Test season as the regular Rugby Championship is paused in the 2026 season.
The championship is being paused for a new two-stage global Nations Championship.
Under the championship, Australia will host Ireland at Allianz Stadium (Moore Park) in Sydney on July 4, face France on July 11 in Brisbane and then farewell coach Joe Schmidt against Italy on July 18 at an unconfirmed location.
(The European nations will be swapping fixtures with New Zealand on these dates as well; NZ plays France on July 4, plays Italy on July 11 and plays Ireland a week later.)
New coach Les Kiss starts his tenure with a home-and-away series against Japan; on August 8 in Japan then at Townsville a week later.
Then the Wallabies head to Argentina for two-Tests (August 29 and September 5).
Australia hosts South Africa on September 27 before the Bledisloe Cup series with a game against New Zealand at Sydney’s Homebush stadium on October 17.
AUSTRALIA TO HEAD NORTH
The Wallabies’ traditional Spring tour is the second stage of the Nations Championship with games against England (November 8), Scotland (November 15) and Wales (November 21) followed by the championship finals weekend.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh says these matches will be “critical” for the Wallabies’ preparation for the 2027 season which includes a full Rugby Championship and the men’s World Cup.
“Next year is going to be a bumper Test season for the Wallabies as we count down to the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil so we’re thrilled to be hosting two key matches in Sydney against two powerhouses of international rugby,” NSW Sports Minister Steve Kamper says.
“We’ve got the Wallabies’ first match of the inaugural Nations Championship against Ireland and a Bledisloe match against the All Blacks.”
Queensland’s Tourism Minister Andrew Powell says hosting two Wallabies game is all part of making his state the country’s “events powerhouse” as their state counts down to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
“Hosting Wallabies games in Brisbane and Townsville in 2026 proves our strength and capability to deliver major events that captivate global audiences.”
The games are expected to inject more than $14 million into the state economy, Powell believes.
“Brisbane knows how to put on a show, whether it’s inside the stadium or throughout the city,” Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says.
“Every time a major rugby event comes to town, fans get an unforgettable experience and our businesses feel the benefits, too.”
