Georgia will host an expanded World Rugby U20 Championship in 2026.
Sixteen teams are set to compete in the premier age-grade tournament for the first time since 2009.
World Rugby on Friday confirmed the format change as part of a broader review of men’s age-grade competitions, aimed at enhancing global competitiveness and strengthening pathways to the senior World Cup.
Georgia previously hosted the tournament in 2017, when a star-studded New Zealand side – including current All Blacks Will Jordan, Dalton Papali’i, Caleb Clarke and Luke Jacobson – thrashed England 64-17 in the final in Tbilisi. Several players from Georgia’s squad that year have since become Test regulars for the Lelos.
The 2026 edition will again be played in Tbilisi and Kutaisi, with dates to be announced.
The expansion means there will be no relegation from the 2025 U20 Championship, with the loser of Saturday’s 11th-place playoff between Ireland and Spain safe. The 12 teams competing in Italy this year were informed of the decision before the tournament kicked off.
NORTON: Junior Boks can handle the pressure
Joining the current 12 teams in Georgia next year will be Fiji, who were relegated from the 2024 edition, along with USA, Japan and Uruguay – the next-best finishers in this year’s U20 Trophy.
Japan return to the top tier after featuring in 2023, while it will mark a long-awaited return for Uruguay (last played in 2009) and USA (last played in 2013).
World Rugby said details regarding the promotion and relegation process for the 2027 edition will be confirmed at a later date.
Photo: World Rugby
The post U20 Championship expands appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.