Sunday July 19: for tv fans, the peak sports viewing day of 2026

And the day before isn't bad either if you are a rugby fan, kicking off with Ireland's test match against the All Blacks in Auckland

Fri, 15 May, 2026 - 11:46

Cian Locke

CUT the lawn Friday July 17th. Do the weekend shopping that evening, bag some microwaveables - or at worst, reheatables. Put out the bins, pull the blinds and battery up the remote. July 18-19th weekend is sports surfing at its finest, with Sunday the peak viewing day of 2026.

The super Sunday to outdo all others will feature the All-Ireland SHC final from Croke Park, the final day of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, and football's World Cup final that evening from the US. Two of the three are protected as free to air events.

And to get sports fans limbered up, there's an early start on the Saturday morning, July 18th, with Ireland's third rugby Nations Championship test match live and also free to air on Virgin Media from Auckland against New Zealand. It kicks off an all-day rugby bonanza with no less than five other Championship games running all the way to Argentina v England later that Saturday at 8.10pm.

Tv schedules and kick off times were confirmed Friday for the inaugural Nations Championship, to be played in two super blocks in July and November.

With 50 days to go until kick‑off, Irish rugby fans can look forward to three consecutive Super Saturdays this July, as the 12 strongest teams in international rugby go head-to-head live on Virgin Media, which has exclusive free‑to‑air rights to the Nations Championship in Ireland.

Every Nations Championship fixture in July and November will be shown live and free‑to‑air on Virgin Media, with kick‑off times confirmed (all times Irish).

SATURDAY START: Ireland will face the New Zealand All Blacks - and their haka - in Auckland on Saturday July 18, the start of a manic sporting weekend. Pic: Andrew Cornaga, Inpho

Saturday, July 4 (Rd 1):b New Zealand v France, Christchurch, 8.10am; Japan v Italy, Tokyo, 9.40am; Australia v Ireland, Sydney, 11.10am; Fiji v Wales, Cardiff, 2.10pm; South Africa v England, Johannesburg, 4.40pm; Argentina v Scotland, Cardoba, 8.10pm.

Saturday, July 11 (Rd 2): New Zealand v Italy, Wellington, 6.10am; Australia v France, Brisbane, 8.40am; Japan v Ireland, Newcastle, 11.30am; Fiji v England, Liverpool, 2.10pm; South Africa v Scotland, Pretoria, 4.40pm; Argentina v Wales, San Juan, 8.10pm.

Saturday, July 18 (Rd 3): New Zealand v Ireland, Auckland, 8.10am; Japan v France, Tokyo, 9.40am; Australia v Italy, Perth, 11.10am; Fiji v Scotland, Edinburgh, 2.10pm; South Africa v Wales, Durban, 4.40pm; Argentina v England, Santiago del Estero, 8.10pm.

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Friday, Nov 6 (Rd 4): Ireland v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, 8.10pm; Sat., Nov., 7: Italy v South Africa, Turin, 11.40am; Scotland v New Zealand, Murrayfield, 2.10pm; Wales v Japan, Cardiff, 4.40pm; France v Fiji, Lyon, 8.10pm; Sun., Nov 8: England v Australia, Twickenham, 3.10pm.

Fri Nov 13 (Rd 5): France v South Africa, Paris, 8.10pm; Sat., Nov., 14: Italy v Argentina, Genoa, 11.40am; Wales v New Zealand, Cardiff, 2.10pm; England v Japan, Twickenham, 4.40pm; Ireland v Fiji, Aviva Stadium, 8.10pm; Sun., Nov., 15: Scotland v Australia, Murrayfield, 3.10pm.

Sat., Nov 21 (Rd 6): England v New Zealand, Twickenham, 2.10pm; Scotland v Japan, Murrayfield, 2.10pm; Ireland v South Africa, Aviva Stadium, 2.40pm; Italy v Fiji, Udine, 4.40pm; France v Argentina, Paris, 8.10pm; Wales v Australia, Cardiff, 8.10pm.

Finals weekend from Friday, Nov 27 to Sun Nov 29th.