Georgia Set to Host an Expanded 2026 U20 World Rugby Championship.
World Rugby has confirmed that the 2026 Underโ20 Championship will take place in Georgiaโwith the tournament expanded to 16 nations for the first time in over a decade. This decision marks a milestone in ageโgrade rugbyโs strategic evolution, offering a broader international platform for emerging talent.
Georgia, previously the host in 2017, will welcome the championship once more, with matches to be held across Tbilisi and Kutaisi. The 2017 edition remains a landmark in Georgian rugby, where future stars like Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, and Dalton Papaliโi starred as NewโฏZealand thrashed England 64โ17 in the final held in Tbilisi. Georgiaโs own young talentsโincluding Akaki Tabutsadze, Tedo Abzhandadze, and Tornike Jalagoniaโwent on to become key figures in the senior national side.
Why Expand to 16 Teams?
The push to grow from 12 to 16 teams reflects a wide-ranging review by World Rugby of its ageโgrade competition framework. The expansion, the first since 2009, is part of its mission to enhance competitiveness and better align the pathway to senior international rugbyโparticularly ahead of the revamped international calendar and the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The move follows in-depth consultations with national unions and regional bodies.
New Entrants in 2026
Alongside the 12 teams set to compete in the 2025 Championship in Italy, four additional teams will join in Georgia:
Fiji, relegated from the 2024 U20 Championship
Japan, Uruguay, and the United States, who finished second, third, and fourth respectively in the 2024 U20 Trophy
These additions mark a welcome return to top-tier ageโgrade competition for several: Uruguay last appeared in 2009, the USA in 2013, and Japan most recently in 2023.
Crucially, there will be no relegation from the 2025 Championship, guaranteeing all 12 current nations a place in the expanded 2026 fieldโregardless of final position.
Local Significance and Reaction
Davit Kacharava, President of the Georgian Rugby Union, celebrated the announcement as a pivotal momentโnot only for national rugby development but also for the countryโs profile. He underscored the support of the Georgian government in securing hosting rights and voiced confidence that the event would inspire a fresh wave of grassroots interest in rugby among Georgian youth. Amid challenging times, Kacharava reflected, sport continues to unite and uplift communities.
Looking Ahead
As the 2025 U20 Championship culminates in Italy with a final showdown between NewโฏZealand and SouthโฏAfrica, attention is already turning to Georgia in 2026. With more teams, broader representation, and renewed ambition, the next edition promises to elevate ageโgrade rugby and nurture the stars of tomorrow on an expanded global stage.