The Irish rugby landscape in 2026 is shaping up to be a compelling one, with both the men’s and women’s teams poised for significant challenges and opportunities. As Andy Farrell’s men look to build on their recent Six Nations success and compete in the newly formatted Nations Championship, the women’s team prepares for a standalone match at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, marking a milestone in the growth of the sport in Ireland. Understanding the confirmed schedules for both sides is key for fans planning to follow their national teams throughout the year.
For the men’s team, the July Nations Championship represents an immediate focus. This competition, designed to provide high-level international rugby outside of the traditional Six Nations window, will see Ireland travel to face Australia and Japan before hosting New Zealand in a highly anticipated clash. Later in the year, the Autumn Nations Series at the Aviva Stadium will offer further opportunities to test themselves against top-tier opposition, including Argentina, Fiji, and a formidable South Africa side. These matches will be crucial preparation as Ireland looks ahead to future Six Nations and potential World Cup campaigns.
The women’s team, fresh off a competitive showing at the 2025 Rugby World Cup – where they narrowly lost their quarter-final to France, as reported by Rugby World – will return to action in the 2026 Women’s Six Nations. The campaign begins with a challenging away fixture against England at Twickenham in April. A key highlight of their schedule is the final match against Scotland, which will be the first ever standalone women’s international to be played at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on May 17th, 2026. This historic occasion underscores the increasing investment and recognition of women’s rugby in Ireland.
IRELAND RUGBY UNION FIXTURES: MEN’S TEAM
James Lowe is one of many British &. Irish Lions players expected to return to the Ireland men’s squad for the Autumn Nations Series (Lorenzo Di Cola/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Nations Championship
- Saturday 4 July 2026: Australia vs Ireland
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: TBC - Saturday 11 July 2026: Japan vs Ireland
Venue and kick-off: TBC - Saturday 18 July 2026: New Zealand vs Ireland
Eden Park, Auckland
Autumn Nations Series
- 6-8 November 2026: Ireland vs Argentina
Aviva Stadium, Dublin - 13-15 November 2026: Ireland vs Fiji
Aviva Stadium, Dublin - Saturday 21 November 2026: Ireland vs South Africa
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
IRELAND RUGBY UNION FIXTURES: WOMEN’S TEAM
Ireland’s women will be looking to build on their impressive 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign (Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Women’s Six Nations
- Saturday 11 April 2026: England v Ireland
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Kick-off: 2.25pm BST / 3.25pm SAST / 11.25pm AEST / 1.25am NZST (Sunday) / 9.25am ET / 6.25am PT - Saturday 18 April 2026: Ireland v Italy
Venue: TBC
Kick-off: 5.40pm BST / 6.40pm SAST / 2.40am AEST (Sunday) / 4.40am NZST (Sunday) / 12.40pm ET / 9.40am PT - Saturday 25 April 2026: France v Ireland
Venue: TBC
Kick-off: 8.10pm BST / 9.10pm SAST / 5.10am AEST (Sunday) / 7.10am NZST (Sunday) / 3.10pm ET / 12.10pm PT - Saturday 9 May 2026: Ireland v Wales
Venue: TBC
Kick-off: 6.30pm BST / 7.30pm SAST / 3.30am AEST (Sunday) / 5.30am NZST (Sunday) / 1.30pm ET / 10.30am PT - Sunday 17 May 2026: Ireland v Scotland
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 2.30pm BST / 3.30pm SAST / 11.30pm AEST / 1.30am NZST (Monday) / 9.30am ET / 6.30am PT
Beyond these confirmed fixtures, fans can stay up-to-date on the latest news and schedules by visiting the official websites of Irish Rugby and Six Nations Rugby. As both teams continue to develop and compete on the international stage, 2026 promises to be a pivotal year for Irish rugby. The next major update will likely arrive in the form of confirmed kick-off times and broadcast details for the July Nations Championship matches, which are expected to be released in the spring of 2026.
What are your thoughts on Ireland’s upcoming schedule? Share your predictions and excitement in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow rugby fans!
