Q: <h3>About the WXV Global Series</h3>

<p>The WXV Global Series is World Rugby&rsquo;s international women&rsquo;s rugby competition, bringing together leading teams from across the northern and southern hemispheres. It provides more regular international Tests between teams from different regions and forms an important part of the pathway towards Women&rsquo;s Rugby World Cup 2029.</p> <p>The competition evolved from the original WXV tournament structure, which launched in 2023 with WXV 1, WXV 2 and WXV 3. From 2026, the series operates through the WXV Global Series and WXV Global Series Challenger, creating an expanded programme of international matches across multiple countries.</p> <p>The Black Ferns have already qualified for Women&rsquo;s Rugby World Cup 2029 alongside hosts Australia and fellow 2025 semi-finalists England, Canada and France.</p> <p>The remaining qualification places will be decided through regional competitions, the World Rugby Women&rsquo;s Rankings and the 2028 WXV Global Series Challenger. Although the Black Ferns&rsquo; place in Australia is secure, every WXV Test remains important for rankings, combinations and the team&rsquo;s long-term preparation.</p>

Q: <h3>What is the WXV Global Series?</h3>

<p>The WXV Global Series is World Rugby&rsquo;s international women&rsquo;s rugby competition. It brings leading nations from different regions together for regular home-and-away Test matches.</p>

Q: <h3>How does the WXV Global Series work?</h3>

<p>The main WXV Global Series features the world&rsquo;s 12 highest-ranked women&rsquo;s international teams in a cross-regional touring format. Teams play Tests at home and away during the international window, giving supporters more opportunities to see the world&rsquo;s leading players and rivalries. For the six tier one nations, wins and losses contribute as normal towards World Rugby rankings, whilst the tier two series has an official points table.</p> <p>The tier two WXV Global Series Challenger features the next six leading nations (teams ranked 13-18) and provides a pathway into higher-level international competition and Women&rsquo;s Rugby World Cup qualification.</p>

Q: <h3>Who are the Black Ferns playing in the 2026 WXV Global Series?</h3>

<p>The Black Ferns&rsquo; 2026 WXV Global Series campaign includes away Tests against France, Scotland and England, followed by three home Tests against France in Hamilton, Whangārei and Christchurch.</p> <p>The schedule brings together contrasting styles of international rugby and gives the Black Ferns regular Tests against some of the strongest teams in the women&rsquo;s game. It also continues New Zealand&rsquo;s growing rivalry with France, including four meetings between the teams during the 2026 series.</p> <p>View the fixtures above for kick-off times, ticket information, team announcements, Match Centre coverage and results.</p>

Q: <h3>Does WXV affect Women&rsquo;s Rugby World Cup qualification?</h3>

<p>WXV forms part of the wider qualification pathway for Women&rsquo;s Rugby World Cup 2029. New Zealand have already qualified after finishing among the top four teams at Women&rsquo;s Rugby World Cup 2025.</p>

Question 1

About the WXV Global Series

Accepted Answer

The WXV Global Series is World Rugby’s international women’s rugby competition, bringing together leading teams from across the northern and southern hemispheres. It provides more regular international Tests between teams from different regions and forms an important part of the pathway towards Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029.

The competition evolved from the original WXV tournament structure, which launched in 2023 with WXV 1, WXV 2 and WXV 3. From 2026, the series operates through the WXV Global Series and WXV Global Series Challenger, creating an expanded programme of international matches across multiple countries.

The Black Ferns have already qualified for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 alongside hosts Australia and fellow 2025 semi-finalists England, Canada and France.

The remaining qualification places will be decided through regional competitions, the World Rugby Women’s Rankings and the 2028 WXV Global Series Challenger. Although the Black Ferns’ place in Australia is secure, every WXV Test remains important for rankings, combinations and the team’s long-term preparation.

Question 2

What is the WXV Global Series?

Accepted Answer

The WXV Global Series is World Rugby’s international women’s rugby competition. It brings leading nations from different regions together for regular home-and-away Test matches.

Question 3

How does the WXV Global Series work?

Accepted Answer

The main WXV Global Series features the world’s 12 highest-ranked women’s international teams in a cross-regional touring format. Teams play Tests at home and away during the international window, giving supporters more opportunities to see the world’s leading players and rivalries. For the six tier one nations, wins and losses contribute as normal towards World Rugby rankings, whilst the tier two series has an official points table.

The tier two WXV Global Series Challenger features the next six leading nations (teams ranked 13-18) and provides a pathway into higher-level international competition and Women’s Rugby World Cup qualification.

Question 4

Which teams compete in the WXV Global Series?

Accepted Answer

The 2026 WXV Global Series features New Zealand, Australia, Canada, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa, USA and Wales.

Question 5

What happened to WXV 1, WXV 2 and WXV 3?

Accepted Answer

The original three-level WXV competition was replaced by the WXV Global Series and WXV Global Series Challenger from 2026. The new format provides a broader programme of home-and-away international Tests.

Question 6

Who are the Black Ferns playing in the 2026 WXV Global Series?

Accepted Answer

The Black Ferns’ 2026 WXV Global Series campaign includes away Tests against France, Scotland and England, followed by three home Tests against France in Hamilton, Whangārei and Christchurch.

The schedule brings together contrasting styles of international rugby and gives the Black Ferns regular Tests against some of the strongest teams in the women’s game. It also continues New Zealand’s growing rivalry with France, including four meetings between the teams during the 2026 series.

View the fixtures above for kick-off times, ticket information, team announcements, Match Centre coverage and results.

Question 7

Where are the Black Ferns’ WXV home matches being played?

Accepted Answer

The Black Ferns host France in Hamilton, Whangārei and Christchurch during October 2026.

Question 8

How can I watch the Black Ferns in the WXV Global Series?

Accepted Answer

Black Ferns internationals are broadcast live on Sky Sport in New Zealand. Match information, highlights, team announcements, live updates and results are also available through allblacks.com and the All Blacks app here.

Question 9

Does WXV affect Women’s Rugby World Cup qualification?

Accepted Answer

WXV forms part of the wider qualification pathway for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029. New Zealand have already qualified after finishing among the top four teams at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

Question 10

Where can I buy tickets for Black Ferns WXV matches?

Accepted Answer

Ticket links for Black Ferns home matches are linked above and available now through the official All Blacks and Black Ferns ticketing page.

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