Rugby fans are awaiting the 2026 World Rugby U20 Championship. This competition is one of the top junior rugby events in the world. In 2026, the World Rugby Junior World Championship is finally set to create an exciting event. All under-20 players are eagerly waiting to prove their resilience and potential performances in rugby union.
However, the World Rugby U20 Championship will mark the 16th premier age-grade tournament in rugby union. It will feature a total of 16 teams competing to make history as the champion in the final stage. This edition of the World Rugby U20 Championship will showcase teams from Pools A to D. This year, the rugby union competition has undergone many changes in its format, hosting, and the survival of young talent. Fans are closely following both favorite and rising stars as they look to make their mark on the international stage.
Discover the Host Stadiums of the 2026 Championship
Tbilisi and Kutaisi will host this year’s World Rugby U20 Championship. Georgia is hosting the World Rugby U20 Championship for the second time, following its 2017 edition. Tbilisi and Kutaisi also hosted that edition. The tournament will feature a 16-team contributing edition, marking the third at the World Rugby U20 Championship. This edition was first published in 2008 and was republished in 2009 for the rugby union competition.
Matches will be played across two main venues. Each pool competed in the group stage. Teams in Pool A and C will play at Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi. Teams in Pool B and D will compete at the AIA Arena in Kutaisi. Georgia’s main national rugby venue, “Mikheil Meskhi Stadium,” will host both the third-place play-off and the championship final.
| Area | Stadium | Capacity |
| Tbilisi | Mikheil Meskhi Stadium | 22,754 |
| Tbilisi | Avchala Stadium | 3,500 |
| Kutaisi | Aia Arena | 4,860 |
Referees
- Christopher Allison (South Africa)
- Kevin Bralley (France)
- Ruairidh Campbell (Scotland)
- Ben Connor (Wales)
- Gonzalo de Achaval (Argentina)
- Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland)
- Reuben Keane (Australia)
- Saba Makharadze (Georgia)
- Luke Rogan (United States)
- George Selwood (England)
- David Vosalevu (Fiji)
- Morgan White (Hong Kong, China)
Previous Tournament Results of Participating Teams
| Team | Previous Appearance | Most Recent Appearance | Result (2025) | Best Previous Result |
| Argentina | 15 | 2025 | 3rd | 3rd (2016, 2025) |
| Australia | 15 | 2025 | 5th | 2nd (2010, 2019) |
| England | 15 | 2025 | 6th | Champions (2013, 2014, 2016, 2024) |
| Fiji | 10 | 2024 | – | 6th (2011) |
| France | 15 | 2025 | 4th | Champions (2018, 2019, 2023) |
| Georgia | 7 | 2025 | 9th | 8th (2023) |
| Ireland | 15 | 2025 | 11th | 2nd (2016, 2023) |
| Italy | 13 | 2025 | 7th | 7th (2025) |
| Japan | 6 | 2023 | – | 10th (2015) |
| New Zealand | 15 | 2025 | 2nd | Champions (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2017) |
| Scotland | 13 | 2025 | 10th | 5th (2017) |
| South Africa | 15 | 2025 | Champions | Champions (2012, 2025) |
| Spain | 2 | 2025 | 12th | 11th (2024) |
| United States | 2 | 2013 | – | 12th (2013) |
| Uruguay | 1 | 2009 | – | 16th (2009) |
| Wales | 15 | 2025 | 8th | 2nd (2013) |
Event Details for World Rugby U20 Championship 2026
Main Event: World Rugby U20 Championship 2026
Date: June 27-July 18, 2026
Host: Georgia
How can I watch the 2026 World Rugby U20 Championship?
Learn more about the World Rugby U20 Championship 2026, including the streaming options available across different regions.
| Country | Streaming Option |
| Argentina | Disney+ |
| Australia | Stan Sport |
| Cambodia | beIN Sports |
| Canada | TSN |
| Czech and Slovakia | TV Nova |
| Fiji | Fiji TV |
| Hong Kong | beIN Sports |
| Lat Am | Disney+ |
| Indonesia | beIN Sports |
| Japan | J Sport |
| Laos | beIN Sports |
| MENA | Star Play |
| Malaysia and Brunei | beIN Sports |
| Netherlands | ZIGGO |
| New Zealand | SKY NZ |
| Philippines | beIN Sports |
| Portugal | Sport TV |
| Romania | Pro TV |
| Singapore | beIN Sports |
| South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa | SuperSport |
| South-East Asia | beIN Sports Asia |
| Thailand | beIN Sports |
| UK (Welsh language) | S4C and RPTV |
| Timor Leste | beIN Sports |
| UK and Ireland | Premier Sports and RPTV |
| USA | Paramount+ |
| Row | RPTV |
Format
The World Rugby U20 Championship 2026 is also known as the Junior World Championship. A 16-team format will play in Georgia from June 27 to July 18, 2026. The competition will feature a 16-team format, bringing together the world’s top under-20 rugby nations. Each team plays five matches, and each pool of four teams will advance to the knockout stage. The total number of matches per team will be five, divided into three pools and two knockout stages. The tournament is officially known as the World Rugby Junior World Championship.
Pool Division
| Pool | Team |
| Pool A | Georgia U20 |
| Pool A | South Africa U20 |
| Pool A | Uruguay U20 |
| Pool A | Wales U20 |
| Pool B | Italy U20 |
| Pool B | Japan U20 |
| Pool B | New Zealand U20 |
| Pool B | Scotland U20 |
| Pool C | Argentina U20 |
| Pool C | England U20 |
| Pool C | Ireland U20 |
| Pool C | United States U20 |
| Pool D | Australia U20 |
| Pool D | Fiji U20 |
| Pool D | France U20 |
| Pool D | Spain U20 |
Qualification Overview of the Participating Nations
Pool A
| Position | Team | Qualification |
| 1 | South Africa | Advance to Semi-finals |
| 2 | Wales | Advance to the fifth-place semi-finals |
| 3 | Georgia | Advance to the Ninth-place semi-finals |
| 4 | Uruguay | Advance to the Thirteenth-place semi-finals |
Pool B
| Position | Team | Qualification |
| 1 | New Zealand | Advance to Semi-finals |
| 2 | Italy | Advance to the fifth-place semi-finals |
| 3 | Scotland | Advance to the Ninth-place semi-finals |
| 4 | Japan | Advance to the Thirteenth-place semi-finals |
Pool C
| Position | Team | Qualification |
| 1 | Argentina | Advance to Semi-finals |
| 2 | England | Advance to the fifth-place semi-finals |
| 3 | Ireland | Advance to the Ninth-place semi-finals |
| 4 | United States | Advance to the Thirteenth-place semi-finals |
Pool D
| Position | Team | Qualification |
| 1 | France | Advance to Semi-finals |
| 2 | Australia | Advance to the fifth-place semi-finals |
| 3 | Spain | Advance to the Ninth-place semi-finals |
| 4 | Fiji | Advance to the Thirteenth-place semi-finals |
World Rugby U20 Championship 2026-Scheduele
| Date | Pool/Stage | Match | Venue |
| Sat, Jun 27 | Pool C | Argentina U20 vs USA U20 | Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Sat, Jun 27 | Pool B | Italy U20 vs Scotland U20 | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
| Sat, Jun 27 | Pool C | England U20 vs Ireland U20 | Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Sat, Jun 27 | Pool B | New Zealand U20 vs Japan U20 | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
| Sat, Jun 27 | Pool A | Wales U20 vs Georgia U20 | Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Sat, Jun 27 | Pool D | France U20 vs Fiji U20 | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
| Sat, Jun 27 | Pool A | South Africa U20 vs Uruguay U20 | Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Sat, Jun 27 | Pool D | Australia U20 vs Spain U20 | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
| Thu, Jul 2 | Pool A | Wales U20 vs Uruguay U20 | Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Thu, Jul 2 | Pool D | France U20 vs Spain U20 | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
| Thu, Jul 2 | Pool C | Argentina U20 vs Ireland U20 | Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Thu, Jul 2 | Pool D | Australia U20 vs Fiji U20 | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
| Thu, Jul 2 | Pool C | England U20 vs USA U20 | Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Thu, Jul 2 | Pool B | New Zealand U20 vs Scotland U20 | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
| Thu, Jul 2 | Pool A | South Africa U20 vs Georgia U20 | Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Thu, Jul 2 | Pool B | Italy U20 vs Japan U20 | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
| Tue, Jul 7 | Pool C | Ireland U20 vs USA U20 | Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Tue, Jul 7 | Pool B | New Zealand U20 vs Italy U20 | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
| Tue, Jul 7 | Pool C | Argentina U20 vs England U20 | Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Tue, Jul 7 | Pool B | Scotland U20 vs Japan U20 | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
| Tue, Jul 7 | Pool A | South Africa U20 vs Wales U20 | Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Tue, Jul 7 | Pool D | France U20 vs Australia U20 | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
| Tue, Jul 7 | Pool A | Georgia U20 vs Uruguay U20 | Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Tue, Jul 7 | Pool D | Spain U20 vs Fiji U20 | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
Knockout Stage
| Date | Stage | Match | Venue |
| Sun, Jul 12 | 13th Place Semifinals | 14th Seed vs 15th Seed / 13th Seed vs 16th Seed | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
| Sun, Jul 12 | 5th Place Semifinals | 6th Seed vs 7th Seed / 5th Seed vs 8th Seed | Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Mon, Jul 13 | Championship Semifinals | 2nd Seed vs 3rd Seed | Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Mon, Jul 13 | Championship Semifinals | 1st Seed vs 4th Seed | Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Mon, Jul 13 | 9th Place Semifinals | 10th Seed vs 11th Seed / 9th Seed vs 12th Seed | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
| Fri, Jul 17 | 15th Place Play-off | Losers M25 & M26 | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
| Fri, Jul 17 | 13th Place Play-off | Winner M25 & M26 | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
| Fri, Jul 17 | 7th Place Play-off | Loser M29 & M30 | Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Fri, Jul 17 | 5th Place Play-off | Winner M29& M30 | Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Fri, Jul 18 | 11th Place Play-off | Loser M27 & M28 | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
| Fri, Jul 18 | 9th Place Play-off | Winner M27& M28 | AIA Arena, Kutaisi |
| Fri, Jul 18 | 3rd Place Play-off | Loser M31 vs Loser M32 | Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia |
| Fri, Jul 18 | Championship Final | Winner M31 vs Winner M32 | Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia |
A Preview of the Participating Nations
The World Rugby U20 Championship 2026 will feature several teams with a claim to reach the final stage. The Georgia U20 team delivered massive performances in past years. This time, they will look to seize victory in the World Rugby U20 Championship. South Africa U20, known as the Junior Springboks, will continue their winning momentum this season.
Meanwhile, Japan U20 will address its weaknesses to achieve a historic victory this year. This team currently sits in Pool B of the World Rugby U20 Championship standings. Elsewhere, the Argentina U20 rugby team struggled over the past year but will aim for its best result this season. England U20 and Australia U20 will refine their tactics for a place in the final stage. Fans will be eager to watch the performances of their front-runner players and teams.
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