Rugby Fan Central

What is WXV?

The :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} is a global women’s rugby union competition designed to give top international teams more regular and structured Test matches. In 2026, it evolves into the WXV Global Series, running across a multi-year cycle.

The competition replaces the original three-tier tournament model with a more flexible international Test schedule involving the world’s top women’s rugby nations.

2026 Format: WXV Global Series

The 2026 season introduces a major restructure:

• 12 top nations compete in the WXV Global Series
• 6 emerging nations play in the WXV Challenger
• No promotion or relegation during the 2026–2028 cycle
• Teams remain fixed based on end-of-2024 rankings
• Fixtures are arranged as home-and-away Test series

Each team plays roughly 4–6 Test matches per season within an eight-week international window.

2026 Global Series Window

The WXV Global Series runs annually from September to October.

Key features of the 2026 season:

• Matches spread across global home-and-away tours
• Top nations such as England, New Zealand, Canada, and France host major Test series
• Fixtures are confirmed gradually by national unions
• Challenger teams play at a central venue (Hong Kong)

Example matchups include heavyweight clashes such as England vs New Zealand and France vs Australia, along with touring series across Europe, North America, and Oceania.

How to Watch WXV 2026

USA fans can watch the games on Paramount+.

• RugbyPass TV (selected regions)
• National broadcasters (vary by country)
• Live streams via World Rugby partners

Coverage includes live matches, replays, highlights, and analysis across the full Global Series window.