World Rugby has announced a significant reform of the women`s international rugby calendar with the introduction of the new WXV Global Series. This new format is set to radically transform the structure of women`s rugby and will serve as a crucial pathway for qualification to the Rugby World Cup 2029 in Australia.
The competition will feature 18 national teams. The top twelve teams globally will compete in home and away series during a dedicated international window in September-October, playing between four and six matches. Commercial rights for home games will remain with the respective national rugby unions.
Teams ranked 13th to 18th will participate in a centralized tournament in 2026 and 2028, fully funded by World Rugby.
The WXV Global Series is integrated into the qualification process for Rugby World Cup 2029. Four teams have already secured their spots by reaching the semifinals of RWC 2025. Another eight places will be determined through regional tournaments in 2027, two berths will be allocated based on world rankings, and the final spot will be contested in the WXV-2028 tournament for the second-tier teams, serving as the ultimate qualifying stage.
Over the three-year cycle from 2026 to 2028, more than 100 international matches are scheduled. Additionally, in 2027, the calendar will include inter-regional fixtures for teams not involved in the inaugural tour of the Women`s British and Irish Lions.
