USA Rugby to Host Inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup in July 2026

World Rugby has announced that the United States will host the debut of the Nations Cup, a new global tournament designed to strengthen competition ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.  Rugby fans in America are in for a treat this summer as the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup makes its debut on U.S. soil. The tournament kicks off on July 4th in Denver, Colorado, before moving to Charlotte and Cary, North Carolina for subsequent fixtures.

This marks a historic moment as world-class men’s rugby returns to the USA with three blockbuster matchdays.

 World Rugby, USA Rugby and TEG Rugby Live today announced the inaugural Rugby Nations Cup is coming to Denver, Colorado, this summer. In an exciting double-header of international rugby action, the USA Eagles are set to face Portugal, while Zimbabwe will take on Tonga, as world-class men’s rugby returns to the Mile High City for a historic Independence Day showcase.

📅 USA Match Schedule – Nations Cup 2026

• July 4, 2026 – USA vs Portugal DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, Denver, CO – 7:00 PM (Double-header: Tonga vs Zimbabwe also featured at Colorado’s 30th annual 4thFEST)
• July 11, 2026 – USA vs Zimbabwe American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte, NC – 7:30 PM
• July 18, 2026 – USA vs Spain First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, NC – 7:30 PM

Rugby Nations Cup Tickets & Broadcast

Pre-sale tickets open April 7, with general sale beginning April 9 at 10 AM local time. Fans can register for early access at USA Rugby Nations Cup Presale.

All matches will be streamed live in the United States on Paramount+, ensuring nationwide access to the tournament.

How to Watch Rugby Nations Cup 2026

All matches will be streamed live in the USA on Paramount+, giving fans nationwide the chance to follow every tackle, try, and triumph. International broadcast details will be announced closer to the tournament.

The Nations Cup brings together the 12 unions already qualified for Rugby World Cup 2027, split into two competitive pools:

• Pool A (Americas & Pacific): USA, Canada, Chile, Samoa, Tonga, Uruguay
• Pool B (Europe, Asia & Africa): Georgia, Hong Kong China, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Zimbabwe

This format ensures meaningful annual fixtures, helping teams sharpen their systems and gain experience ahead of RWC 2027 in Australia. This structure guarantees meaningful annual fixtures across the July and November international windows, offering teams a platform to refine systems and gain experience before Australia 2027.

The inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup will launch in the United States this summer, with a blockbuster Fourth of July double-header at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park as part of Commerce City’s annual 4thFEST celebration.

The event will feature Tonga vs Zimbabwe in the opening match, followed by the USA Eagles vs Portugal in the headline fixture. Beyond the rugby action, fans can enjoy the free 4thFEST festival outside the stadium, offering family-friendly entertainment including a live DJ, interactive games, bounce houses, a rock-climbing wall, bungee trampolines, and more. The evening will culminate with Colorado’s largest public fireworks display, a tradition that has become a centerpiece of Denver’s Independence Day celebrations.