Nations Championship?

[Machpants]

@Duluth said in Six Nations, SANZAAR New tournaments in 2026:

Matt Hughes  /  Apr 29  /  Rugby

Qatar emerge as surprise bidders for the Nations Championship finals

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES: Qatar have made a surprise bid to host the finals of the new Nations Championship from 2026 in a three-day festival they are billing as a

It makes me sick, all these great games going to ME with no local support. golf, soccer. But rugby needs the $$$

[Kiwiwomble]

if they want it in a neutral venue half way between NH and SH then have it in LA (i know they probably havent bid)...somewhere theyre trying to grow the sport...and has a respectable domestic rugby comp

[Frank]

This made me laugh - "When i think of rugby, my mind automatically thinks of Qatar first. William Webb Ellis’ dream will at last bear fruit."

[Winger]

@Machpants said in Six Nations, SANZAAR New tournaments in 2026:

But rugby needs the $$$

It does.

And I will watch on TV so couldn't give a toss where it's held. And isn't it just for one round of matches

£800M is VG money too (£200M or NZ400M per yr). Esp if NZ have their home games there. It would add variety

[Winger]

@Kiwiwomble said in Six Nations, SANZAAR New tournaments in 2026:

then have it in LA

ReallY. Playing rugby in the US has a boring factor IMHO

[Dan54]

@Winger said in Six Nations, SANZAAR New tournaments in 2026:

@Machpants said in Six Nations, SANZAAR New tournaments in 2026:

But rugby needs the $$$

It does.

And I will watch on TV so couldn't give a toss where it's held. And isn't it just for one round of matches

£800M is VG money too (£200M or NZ400M per yr). Esp if NZ have their home games there. It would add variety

Kind of understand your reasoning mate. Like you I won't be going , so where it's played makes no difference. And the fact it's neutral country perhaps isn't worst thing.
Not absolutely sold on it quite yet, but looking at reason why it would be good to hold it there. No doubt with a bit of thought will find negatives, but would need to research it a bit more.

[Dodge]

sad reality of professional sport - I think the only concern is that the stadiums will be empty which is a horrible look.

[antipodean]

@Kiwiwomble said in Six Nations, SANZAAR New tournaments in 2026:

if they want it in a neutral venue half way between NH and SH then have it in LA (i know they probably havent bid)...somewhere theyre trying to grow the sport...and has a respectable domestic rugby comp

Yeah, nah

[dogmeat]

@Dodge NZ players will at least be used to it.

Will Qatari finances be stretched by having to move Japan south of the equator?

[Duluth]

Rugby, Sport

The $1.6b deal to host rugby's 'Super Bowl'

Plans for biennial six-match ‘Super Bowl’ series in Doha.

[Canes4life]

@Duluth I'm not against this, would bring much needed eyeballs and $$ to the game. Doha though, would they even get any fans to the games and what's the temperature like over there?

[dogmeat]

@Canes4life expats?

They had air conditioned stadia for the 2022 WC

[Canes4life]

@dogmeat said in Nations Championship?:

@Canes4life expats?

They had air conditioned stadia for the 2022 WC

Will be interesting indeed, hope it's a success.

[dogmeat]

Plenty of people climbed into FIFA for supporting Qatari sportswashing.

Wonder if the reaction will be more subdued. I expect so. Every sporting body seems eager to suck on the oil enriched teats of the sheiks

[taniwharugby]

@dogmeat well they seem to be the only ones with the fabled 'money tree' my mother often spoke of.

[Bones]

Yeah not sure it sits right with me.

[Kiwiwomble]

id end up watching it....but probably a replay/on demand, im more interested in them sorting out the lower levels of the game than jamming in more internationals i'll watch +25 NPC/super games so want that fixed

[Canes4life]

@Kiwiwomble said in Nations Championship?:

id end up watching it....but probably a replay/on demand, im more interested in them sorting out the lower levels of the game than jamming in more internationals i'll watch +25 NPC/super games so want that fixed

Yeah I'm more interested in the world club competition that they have proposed for 2028 or whatever it is.

[Tim]

Qatar are closing in on an £800 million eight-year deal to host the finals of rugby’s Nations Championship after being granted exclusive negotiating rights.

Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy has entered a two-month exclusivity period with Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR, the two governing bodies who own and will operate the new tournament, which is planned to begin in 2026.

Jun 4

Qatar closes in on £800m deal to host rugby’s Nations Championship finals for eight years

Exclusive: Two-month exclusivity period agreed with Six Nations and SANZAAR with plans for biennial six-match ‘Super Bowl’ series in Doha

Everyone needs the money. This is definitely happening.

[taniwharugby]

@Tim yep, if that sort of money is being thrown around, you know the 6N and SANZAR will find a way to make it work.