The last Autumn Nations Series in its traditional form kicks off on November 1, 2025, Twickenham—and it’s not just another set of international fixtures. This is the final chapter of a decades-old rugby ritual before World Rugby rewires the entire global calendar with the Nations Championship in 2026. The Quilter Nations Series, as it’s officially branded, brings together the six Six Nations teams—England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, and Italy—with powerhouses from the Southern Hemisphere: New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, and Argentina, plus rising forces like Fiji, Japan, Tonga, the United States, and Chile. It’s a month-long festival of raw power, cultural clashes, and emotional farewell matches that rugby fans won’t want to miss.
The Final North vs South Battle
The opening weekend alone feels like a greatest hits album. On November 1, Twickenham hosts England vs Australia at 3:10 PM GMT, while South Africa takes on Japan at Wembley Stadium just an hour later. Meanwhile, Scotland welcomes the United States at Murrayfield, and Ireland flies across the Atlantic to face New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago—a rare U.S. venue for a top-tier fixture. The crowd noise there will be deafening, even if it’s not rugby’s traditional home.
By November 8, the tournament hits its stride. France and South Africa lock horns at Stade de France in Paris, while Wales and Argentina play in Cardiff. The following weekend, England and New Zealand meet again at Twickenham, this time with the All Blacks riding high after their Rugby Championship campaign. Italy, usually the underdog, gets a rare spotlight with home games in Udine and Turin—places you wouldn’t normally associate with elite international rugby.
Geographic Spread and Strategic Venue Choices
What’s unusual this year isn’t just the number of teams—it’s the geography. Genoa hosts Italy vs Chile, while Bordeaux welcomes France vs Fiji. Even Turin and Udine are stepping up, signaling a deliberate push to grow the game beyond the usual capitals. The inclusion of Chicago and Wembley isn’t just spectacle—it’s a message: rugby’s global footprint is expanding, and the Northern Hemisphere is making room.
And then there’s the surprise opener: Argentina vs South Africa on October 4, 2025 at Twickenham. A Rugby Championship fixture tucked into the autumn window? That’s a curveball. It’s a test run for the new Nations Championship format, where traditional boundaries blur. Fans in the UK might be confused—why is a South American clash happening here in October? The answer: it’s a preview of the chaos to come.
Who’s Watching—and How?
In the UK, every match involving a Six Nations side will be broadcast live on TNT Sports, with streaming via discovery+. For Welsh fans, S4C and BBC iPlayer will carry every Wales game in Welsh—a rare and cherished touch. The coverage is comprehensive, but it’s also a reflection of the growing demand. In 2024, Six Nations matches averaged 3.2 million UK viewers per game. With this being the last traditional series, numbers could surge past 4 million.
International broadcasters are scrambling. In New Zealand, Sky Sport will carry all matches. Australia’s Fox Sports and Rugby Australia have secured rights for Wallabies games. In South Africa, SuperSport has locked in all Springboks fixtures. Even Japan’s NHK and Argentina’s TyC Sports are broadcasting their teams’ matches. This isn’t just rugby—it’s a global media event.
Why This Matters Beyond the Scores
What’s happening in November 2025 isn’t just about who wins the most matches. It’s about legacy. For decades, autumn internationals were a chance for Northern Hemisphere teams to test themselves against Southern Hemisphere giants. It was a cultural reset—a chance for England to prove they weren’t just Six Nations contenders, but world-class. For New Zealand and South Africa, it was a chance to dominate before the World Cup cycle began.
But the Nations Championship, launching in 2026, changes everything. Instead of standalone fixtures, teams will play in a structured league format—home and away, with promotion and relegation implications. It’s modeled after European football’s Champions League. The stakes are higher. The schedule is tighter. And the emotional weight of these November matches? It’s disappearing.
“This is the end of an era,” said former England captain Martin Johnson in a recent interview. “These autumn games weren’t just tests—they were rites of passage. Kids grew up watching England vs New Zealand at Twickenham. Now, it’s going to be another league game. It won’t feel the same.”
What Comes Next?
The Nations Championship will launch in 2026 with 12 teams split into three pools. Six Nations sides will be locked in, but the Rugby Championship teams will no longer have guaranteed autumn tours. Instead, they’ll play in a rotating cycle, meaning New Zealand might not visit Europe for three years straight. The result? Fewer blockbuster fixtures. Less unpredictability. More structure.
For fans, it’s a bittersweet moment. The last Quilter Nations Series is a farewell tour. The games are packed with meaning: Scotland’s last chance to beat South Africa at Murrayfield before the format shifts. Wales’s final opportunity to host New Zealand in Cardiff under the old rules. Italy’s last home game against Chile before they’re grouped into a new league.
And then, come December 2025, the rugby world will change forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which teams are playing in the Autumn Nations Series 2025?
The six Six Nations teams—England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, and Italy—host teams from the Rugby Championship: New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, and Argentina. They’re joined by Japan, Fiji, Tonga, the United States, and Chile. This is the broadest lineup ever for an autumn series, reflecting World Rugby’s push for global expansion before the 2026 Nations Championship overhaul.
Where can I watch the Autumn Nations Series 2025 in the UK?
Every match involving a Six Nations team will be broadcast live on TNT Sports, with live streaming available via discovery+. Wales matches will also be shown in Welsh on S4C and BBC iPlayer. No free-to-air coverage is confirmed, so a subscription to TNT Sports or discovery+ is required to watch all games.
Why is Argentina vs South Africa being played in October?
That match on October 4, 2025, at Twickenham is a one-off Rugby Championship fixture scheduled early to test the new international calendar structure. It’s a trial run for the Nations Championship, where traditional regional boundaries are being dissolved. This game will count toward both the Rugby Championship standings and the new league format.
What’s the difference between the Autumn Nations Series and the Nations Championship?
The Autumn Nations Series is a series of standalone international matches held every November. The Nations Championship, launching in 2026, is a permanent league format with home-and-away fixtures, promotion/relegation, and a fixed schedule across multiple years. It’s more like the Six Nations but expanded to 12 teams and designed for year-round competition.
Why are matches being held in Genoa and Turin instead of Rome?
Italy’s rugby federation is experimenting with regional hosting to grow the game beyond Rome. Turin and Udine have modern stadiums and passionate local followings. Genoa’s Luigi Ferraris is a historic venue, often used for football, but this marks its first top-tier rugby match. The goal is to build regional fanbases to support Italy’s long-term competitiveness in the Nations Championship.
Will the Autumn Nations Series return after 2025?
No. The 2025 edition is the final traditional autumn internationals series. World Rugby confirmed in February 2025 that the Nations Championship will replace it entirely. Future November windows will feature club matches, development fixtures, or regional tournaments—not the same high-stakes North vs South clashes fans have known since the 1980s.
