Rugby Australia has confirmed an exciting 14-Test program for the Wallabies in 2026, featuring the first edition of the Nations Championship tournament and huge Flight Centre Series matches against South Africa, New Zealand and Japan in Australia.
As the countdown to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia intensifies, the Wallabies will play six home Tests in 2026 starting with a Nations Championship opening round blockbuster against Ireland at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on 4 July.
The Wallabies will welcome new Head Coach Les Kiss for a two-Test, home-and-away series against Japan, kicking off in Japan on 8 August followed by the Flight Centre Test at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium on 15 August.
Australia will then fly to Argentina for the Puma Trophy series after two epic Tests in Australia in 2025. The Wallabies will face Los Pumas in Argentina on 29 August and 5 September.
Defending world champions South Africa will make the trip across the Indian Ocean to take on the Wallabies for the Mandela Challenge Plate in the Flight Centre Test on 27 September.
Australia’s southern hemisphere program for 2026 concludes with the two-Test Bledisloe Cup series, starting with the Wallabies’ taking on the All Blacks in New Zealand on 10 October followed by a home farewell Flight Centre Test at Accor Stadium in Sydney on 17 October.
All eyes will turn to the Northern Hemisphere in late 2026 as the inaugural Nations Championship will be decided across four thrilling weekends.
The Wallabies will face off against old rivals England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on 8 November, Scotland at Edinburgh’s Scottish Gas Murrayfield on 15 November and Wales at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on 21 November.
The international rugby calendar concludes with the first-of-its-kind Nations Championship Finals Weekend from 27 November, featuring three days of Test match double-headers at Twickenham to crown the winning team – and hemisphere – for 2026.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said the 2026 Test program against the world’s leading rugby nations will enthral Australian audiences and prepare the Wallabies for the once-in-a-generation opportunity of a home Rugby World Cup in 2027.
“The Wallabies occupy a special place in the hearts of Australian sports fans which was evident in the record attendances and huge broadcast audiences across the historic 2025 season.
“The 2026 program will be every bit as exciting with the Wallabies taking on the best of the Northern Hemisphere in the inaugural Nations Championship in addition to massive Flight Centre Series matches against our great SANZAAR rivals New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina as well as the strong Brave Blossoms from Japan.
“These matches will be critical as the Wallabies’ finalise their preparation for a truly remarkable 2027 campaign, which will include a full Flight Centre Rugby Championship and culminate in the first Rugby World Cup in Australia in 24 years.
“The Wallabies sincerely appreciated the overwhelming support of the Australian public in 2025 and the Sea of Gold that turned out across all our stadiums. The whole squad is committed to working hard again in 2026 and beyond to put in performances the country can be proud of.”
NSW Minister for Sport and Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: “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.
“Sydney’s position as the nation’s home of rugby is undeniable – we’ve got the Wallabies’ very first match of the inaugural Nations Championship against Ireland, followed by a potential Bledisloe Cup-deciding match against the All Blacks.
“These matches will not only bring out Wallabies fans from across the country but will also draw overseas fans to the Harbour City, providing an enormous boost to the NSW visitor economy.”
WALLABIES 2026 TEST SCHEDULE
vs Ireland @ Allianz Stadium, Sydney – 4 July
vs France @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – 11 July
vs Italy @ home venue TBC– 18 July
vs Japan @ away venue TBC – 8 August
vs Japan @ Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville – 15 August
vs Argentina @ away venue TBC– 29 August
vs Argentina @ away venue TBC – 5 September
vs South Africa @ home venue TBC – 27 September
vs New Zealand @ away venue TBC– 10 October
vs New Zealand @ Accor Stadium, Sydney – 17 October
vs England @ Allianz Stadium, Twickenham – 8 November
vs Scotland @ Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh – 15 November
vs Wales @ Principality Stadium, Cardiff – 21 November
Nations Championships Finals Weekend – Weekend starting 27 November
Learn more here.
