Key Rugby Events 2026 for Online Betting

Rugby is one of the most popular sports in the world, and it keeps growing as more people become rugby fans. The game season starts with the Six Nations in February and ends with the Nations Championship in November, so fans can stay engaged with all the events planned for 2026. Below, readers will find the main rugby events for 2026 to watch and bet on with the 1xBet mobile download. This overview helps follow the calendar step by step and understand which tournaments may attract the most attention throughout the year.

Main Rugby Tournaments in 2026

Here are some of the main rugby  events in 2026:

Dates	Tournament
February – End of March	Men’s Six Nations
April – July	Women’s Six Nations
October 2026	Rugby League World Cup
July and November	Nations Championship

Let’s explore these championships in more detail.

Six Nations 2026

In 2026, the Six Nations takes place in February and March. As you can see from its name, in this  tournament six participants take part:

1. England
2. France
3. Ireland
4. Italy
5. Scotland and
6. Wales. 

The tournament started as the Home Nations Championship in 1883 with England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. France joined in 1910, changing it to the Five Nations. The tournament was suspended in 1932, but France returned in 1947, allowing the Five Nations to resume after World War II. In 2000, Italy joined the championship, and it got the name the Six Nations.

Rugby League World Cup 2026

The slogan for the Rugby League World Cup 2026 is: Where nations clash, heroes rise, and legends are forged. The Rugby League World Cup 2026 will take place in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea in October. It will feature 26 teams from 14 countries that will compete in 53 matches over 31 days. The matches will be held in nine cities across these three countries, and it is expected to be the most competitive and exciting Rugby League World Cup since it started in 1954.

Nations Championship

The Nations Championship is a relatively new tournament that is held every two years. It was created by Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR and includes all 10 member unions and federations, along with two invited teams. This tournament aims to change the traditional July and November games into a competitive format that brings teams from different regions together. It will take place every two years, except during Rugby World Cup and Lions Tour years.

The tournament features twelve top rugby countries. These countries are divided into two groups of six teams each. The Six Nations teams will make up a group representing the Northern Hemisphere, while the SANZAAR teams, along with Japan and Fiji, will form a group representing the Southern Hemisphere.

Popular Rugby Betting Markets

Some popular markets for online betting on rugby include the following:

1. Match Winner. A match winner bet is the simplest type of betting on this sport. You choose the team you think will win or bet on a draw if you think that’s the outcome.
2. Handicap Betting. This type of betting is popular because it helps balance the odds. Handicap betting is great for those who want better odds on the underdog, as the bookmaker gives them an advantage to win.
3. Total Points. Over/Under, or Total, means you bet on a specific game variable, not the final score. For example, you can bet on whether the two teams will score more or less than 30 points. If you bet on over 30 and the total is less, you lose; but if the score is higher, you win.
4. Winning Margin. A winning margin bet involves guessing the point difference by which a team will win. If you believe a team will win, this option could be useful.
5. First Try Scorer/Anytime Try Scorer. This bet lets you predict which player will score the first try or if they will score at any time during the game. These bets often have better odds, making them appealing to knowledgeable fans.

Players can also place bets on other markets, such as half-time or full-time results, and many others.

How to Place Bets on Rugby

If you want to place bets on rugby events, you should remember several useful tips:

• Get to Know Teams and Players. Stay updated on how teams are performing, player injuries, weather conditions, and recent match results. These factors can greatly influence game outcomes.
• Check Head-to-Head Records. Some teams have historically beaten others, even if their current performance looks different. 
• Consider the Weather. Bad weather can affect how many points are scored, which is important for betting on total points. 
• Start with Simple Bets. If you are new to Rugby Union betting, begin with basic bets like who will win the match or the total points. After you get comfortable, you can try more complicated bets.

In addition, it is important to remember responsible betting principles when you place wagers on rugby.