Championnat des Nations 2026 rugby on TF1 France, Digi Mart USA News (France): The Championnat des Nations rugby competition resumes on Friday, November 6, 2026, on TF1, TMC, TFX and TF1+. France, the solid leader of the Northern Hemisphere, will play three decisive matches, all broadcast free-to-air.
The Championnat des Nations is a new global tournament pitting the major Northern Hemisphere nations against the best Southern Hemisphere teams. Each side aims to finish first in its hemisphere to reach the final.
After three rounds, South Africa, the reigning world champion, leads the Southern Hemisphere, followed closely by New Zealand.
On the Northern side, France occupies the top of the standings, followed closely by Scotland, England and Ireland. The format features cross-hemisphere matches over several rounds, often rare outside the World Cup, before a final weekend that will pit the two best teams in the world against each other.
France’s three upcoming matches are scheduled as follows: France vs. Fiji on Saturday, November 7 at 9:00 p.m.
on TF1 and TF1+; France vs. South Africa on Friday, November 13 at 9:00 p.m.
on TF1 and TF1+; and France vs. Argentina on Saturday, November 21 at 9:00 p.m.
on TF1 and TF1+.
TF1 has assembled a team of commentators and experts. The first commentary duo, covering France’s matches, is journalist Stefan Etcheverry and former international Thomas Lombard.
Pierre Daudiès and Xavier Garbajosa form the second pairing, and Nicolas Delage and Marie Sempéré make up the third. Isabelle Ithurburu hosts the pre-match program Le Mag, alongside former international Christian Califano, with interviews, analysis and behind-the-scenes reports.
This tournament is part of a long-term partnership bringing international rugby free-to-air on TF1 Group channels for several seasons. During the summer phase in July, eighteen matches were broadcast on TF1, TMC and TF1+.
France won two matches and lost one, scoring a total of sixteen tries in three matches, despite early-morning kickoffs caused by the time difference with the Southern Hemisphere. The autumn phase offers more favorable scheduling for the French team, with prime-time evening broadcasts.
The first final in the Championnat des Nations’ history will be held on Sunday, November 29, 2026, at Allianz Stadium in London, the historic Twickenham venue. The closing weekend, from Friday, November 27 to Sunday, November 29, will feature six matches over three days to crown both the champion nation and the winning hemisphere.
