The rugby world is bracing for a blockbuster November as the 2025 Autumn Nations Series is set to ignite stadiums across Europe, featuring a dazzling lineup of Northern and Southern Hemisphere powerhouses. Over five weekends, fans will witness a festival of Test rugby, with England, France, Wales, Italy, Scotland, and Ireland welcoming the likes of South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, and a host of Pacific nations. The anticipation is palpable, with fixtures promising not just high-octane action but also a celebration of rugby’s rich traditions and evolving global landscape.
From its origins as the traditional end-of-year tours in the early 1900s, where Southern Hemisphere giants would traverse Europe after their domestic seasons, the series has grown into one of rugby’s most anticipated annual events. Since its rebranding in 2021, the Autumn Nations Series has unified these storied encounters under one banner, though, interestingly, there’s still no overall trophy up for grabs. But who needs silverware when pride, bragging rights, and the chance to test themselves against the world's best are on the line?
The 2025 edition is loaded with intrigue. Kicking off on Saturday, November 8, Ireland will host Japan at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium at 12:40 BST—a fixture that should set the tone for a weekend of relentless competition. Later that day, Scotland squares off against New Zealand at Murrayfield (15:10 BST), while England faces Fiji at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium (17:40 BST). Italy, never short of passionate support, welcomes Australia to Udine’s Bluenergy Stadium (18:40 BST). Capping off the opening Saturday, France locks horns with reigning world champions South Africa at the iconic Stade de France (20:10 BST).
Sunday, November 9, brings another treat as Wales takes on Argentina at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium (15:10 BST). The following weekends are equally packed, with headline-grabbing clashes such as England versus New Zealand on November 15 at Twickenham—a fixture that always delivers fireworks. Ireland faces Australia that same evening, while France hosts Fiji in Bordeaux, and Italy meets South Africa in Turin. The action comes thick and fast, with Scotland, Wales, and others all featuring in high-stakes contests against the world’s best.
One of the most talked-about fixtures is the return of Ireland versus New Zealand to Chicago, the site of Ireland’s famous 40-29 victory over the All Blacks in 2016. That historic win marked a turning point for Irish rugby and is still fondly remembered by fans on both sides of the Atlantic. The 2025 rematch in the Windy City is sure to be a highlight, stoking memories and perhaps adding a new chapter to this compelling rivalry.
But the Autumn Nations Series isn’t the only major shake-up in the international rugby calendar. The Southern Hemisphere’s flagship tournament, the Rugby Championship, will not be contested in 2026—a decision confirmed by SANZAAR, the body that oversees the competition. Traditionally played between August and October and featuring South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina, the Rugby Championship has been a staple of the rugby calendar. However, the emergence of new events and shifting priorities has prompted a temporary pause.
South Africa, the current holders of the Rugby Championship trophy after back-to-back wins, will not get the chance to defend their title in 2026. Instead, rugby fans can look forward to a headline-grabbing New Zealand tour of South Africa, with multiple Tests billed as a clash of the titans. According to SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris, this scheduling shake-up came after extensive consultation: “After listening to what supporters, broadcasters and our stakeholders want, we've worked with the Unions to craft a bold and dynamic schedule.”
The disruption doesn’t end there. World Rugby’s much-anticipated Nations Championship will launch in 2026, taking place in the July and November windows. This 12-team competition will bring together the Six Nations squads, Rugby Championship teams, and two invited sides, offering a fresh format and even more elite-level matchups. The introduction of the Nations Championship has squeezed the Rugby Championship off the 2026 calendar, but fans won’t have to wait long for its return. The tournament is set to make a comeback in 2027, this time in a slightly earlier July-August slot—a shift from its traditional autumn window. There’s another planned hiatus in 2030, when a return to international multi-week tours will likely see the Springboks and All Blacks facing off in New Zealand.
Back in Europe, the Autumn Nations Series continues to thrive, with each fixture carrying its own narrative and significance. England’s clash with Argentina at Twickenham on November 23 is sure to draw a full house, as will France’s meetings with both South Africa and Australia. Italy, meanwhile, will test their mettle against Chile, and Scotland will welcome Tonga to Murrayfield. Wales, always formidable at home, faces the daunting prospect of tackling New Zealand, South Africa, and Argentina over the course of the series.
The absence of an overall trophy hasn’t diminished the intensity or the stakes. For players and coaches, these Tests are a vital opportunity to build momentum, experiment with lineups, and measure progress ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. For fans, they’re a feast of world-class rugby, a chance to see the best of the best go toe-to-toe in storied venues. The historical context adds another layer—many of these matchups have roots stretching back over a century, with rivalries renewed and legacies on the line.
As the 2025 Autumn Nations Series approaches, rugby enthusiasts are already marking their calendars and debating which fixtures will deliver the biggest upsets or showcase the brightest new talent. Will Ireland repeat their Chicago heroics against New Zealand? Can England or France topple the mighty Springboks? And how will the Pacific nations fare against Europe’s elite?
One thing is certain: from Dublin to London, Paris to Edinburgh, and beyond, the Autumn Nations Series promises to be a highlight of the rugby year. With the global schedule evolving and new competitions on the horizon, these November Tests serve as both a celebration of tradition and a glimpse into the sport’s dynamic future. The stage is set, the teams are ready, and fans can hardly wait for the action to unfold.
With the rugby calendar in flux and new opportunities emerging, all eyes are on the Autumn Nations Series to deliver another unforgettable chapter in the sport’s storied history. The countdown to kickoff has begun, and if the past is any indication, fans are in for a wild ride.
