Qatar emerge as surprise bidders for the Nations Championship rugby finals, as they propose a three-day 'Superbowl of rugby'

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 “Superbowl of rugby.” 

Mail Sport has learned that Qatar’s tender is based on staging six play-off matches between the Six Nations and southern hemisphere sides over one weekend every two years from November 2026 at multiple venues in Doha including Lusail Stadium, the venue for the 2022 football World Cup final.

The Qatari bid team are understood to have sent an offer promising commercial returns of up to £800million over eight years to the Six Nations and Sazaar unions last week, giving them seven days to sign up to a two-month period of exclusive negotiations. 

Under the proposals the top-ranked European team following the six group matches played by each side would face the leading southern hemisphere team in a grand final to determine the Championship winners.

In addition the second-ranked Six Nations side would play the second team in the southern hemisphere table, with third playing third and so on down to sixth vs sixth. 

The initial proposal is believed to be for eight years, covering the first four editions of the Nations Championship between 2026 and 2032.

World Rugby confirmed plans for a biennial Nations Championship beginning in 2026 last year, with the Six Nations to tour the southern hemisphere for three matches every other summer before playing three home games against the other southern hemisphere sides in the autumn. 

Fiji and Japan are expected to join New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina in facing the European nations, with the sides being ranked on results in two six-team tables.

Qatar’s bid is based on the country being the perfect neutral venue for a final series offering huge commercial returns and is accessible to the teams and fans. 

The gulf state is located almost halfway home for the southern hemisphere nations who will be travelling back from Europe, has seven world class stadia located within a 33-mile radius of Doha, and with winter temperatures in the low 20s offers excellent playing conditions for rugby.

Qatar are understood to be working in conjunction with marketing and sports rights agency Pitch International, who have previously sold TV rights on behalf of all of the Six Nations. 

While the Nations Championship was unveiled by World Rugby last October the tournament is owned by 10 stakeholders – the Six Nations unions plus New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina – who will make the final decision on whether to accept the Qatari offer.

Qatar’s initial pitch is believed to have been well-received by the unions, with further talks planned for later this week. 

The Qatari government remain eager to build on staging the 2022 World Cup by hosting more international sporting events, particularly given the emergence of neighbours Saudi Arabia as a global sporting powerhouse. 

Next year’s World Aquatics Championships will take place in Qatar, as will the 2027 Basketball World Cup, while a bid for the 2036 Olympics is also being considered.

The Six Nations and Pitch International were not available for comment.