England v New Zealand 2026: TV channel, kick-off time, and history

Few rugby rivalries generate the same intrigue as England facing the All Blacks. When the two sides meet at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on 21 November 2026, it will be the 48th test in a series that began on 2 December 1905 (Rugby Football History (historical archive)). This guide covers everything from TV channel and kick-off time to the quirky records that make this fixture special.

Next Match Date: 21 November 2026 ·
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham ·
Kick-off: 2:10pm BST ·
TV Channel (UK): ITV ·
First Test Match: 2 December 1905

The rivalry is defined by lopsided numbers — but each stat tells a story.

What TV channel is England v New Zealand on?

Which TV channels broadcast England vs New Zealand rugby?

• ITV has secured exclusive UK broadcast rights for the entire 2026 Nations Championship, including the England v New Zealand pool match.
• In the Republic of Ireland, Virgin Media Television holds the rights.
• The Nations Championship brings together 12 of the world’s biggest teams across seven weekends, with 42 matches in total.

Streaming live rugby on Sky Sports, Premier Sports, TNT Sports

No — for the 2026 Nations Championship, ITV is the sole UK broadcaster. The match will also be available live through ITVX, the network’s free streaming service. International viewers should check local rights holders; for example, the match is not part of Sky Sports’ or TNT Sports’ current rugby portfolio for this window.

What time is the England vs New Zealand match?

Kick-off is at 2:10pm BST (14:10 local time) on Saturday 21 November 2026, at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

The match is available on free-to-air television, making it accessible to a wide audience.

Who has never beaten the All Blacks?

Has Ireland ever beaten the All Blacks?

Yes — after 111 years of trying, Ireland finally defeated New Zealand for the first time on 5 November 2016 in Chicago (Rugby Football History (historical archive)). For more on Ireland’s rugby journey, see our piece on Ireland World Cup Group: Qualifying Status and Fixtures.

Scotland’s record against New Zealand

Which other teams have never beaten the All Blacks?

• Italy, Namibia, Uruguay, and several other tier-two nations have never beaten New Zealand (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia)).
• The All Blacks hold a winning record against every test nation except South Africa and Australia in terms of overall series.

The implication: Scotland’s 0-for-32 is the most glaring gap. For Ireland, breaking the duck in 2016 was a watershed moment, but consistency remains elusive.

What is the biggest defeat in rugby history?

Has there ever been a 0-0 rugby match?

In test rugby, no — every test has produced at least one score. However, 0-0 draws have occurred in club rugby, most famously in the 1966 match between Blackheath and Richmond (Rugby Football History (record keeper)).

What is the biggest win for England vs New Zealand?

New Zealand’s largest victory over England is 64-12 in 1995 at Newlands, Cape Town. England’s biggest win over the All Blacks is 31-9 in 1993 at Twickenham.

Other notable records in rugby union

• The largest margin in a men’s test match is New Zealand’s 145-17 victory over Japan in 1995.
• The highest-scoring test ever is New Zealand 145-17 Japan — a 128-point gap.
• For a look at how rugby careers can take unexpected turns, read about Louis Rees-Zammit: Why He Left the NFL and Returned to Rugby.

The catch: while England’s worst defeat (64-12) is heavy, it’s modest next to the All Blacks’ record-shattering 128-point demolition of Japan.

In which town was rugby invented?

Where was rugby union invented?

Rugby football was invented at Rugby School in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England (Rugby Football History (origin authority)).

The history of rugby’s origin in Rugby, Warwickshire

The first written rules of rugby were codified in 1845 and handwritten by three senior boys at Rugby School. The famous story of William Webb Ellis “picking up the ball and running with it” in 1823 is commemorated with a plaque at the school.

Why it matters: every time England and New Zealand run out, they’re playing a game rooted in that Midland town — a fact that adds a layer of pride for English fans and a point of origin familiarity for Kiwi visitors.

Where do 70% of the people of New Zealand live?

Why do 70% of New Zealanders live in the North Island?

Approximately 70% of New Zealand’s population resides in the North Island, driven by warmer climate, more urban job opportunities, and the concentration of the country’s two largest cities (World Population Review).

Major cities in New Zealand

• Auckland — the largest city, home to about 1.6 million people (NZ History (government history site)).
• Wellington — the capital, with around 215,000 residents (NZ History).
• Christchurch — the biggest South Island city, with about 390,000 (NZ History).

Geography of New Zealand

The North Island is not only more populous but also more volcanically active, with features like Lake Taupo and Mount Ruapehu. The South Island is larger in land area but more sparsely populated, dominated by the Southern Alps (NZ History).

The trade-off: New Zealand’s population concentration in the north means that for away fans traveling to Twickenham, the cultural experience of the country is heavily shaped by the North Island — a detail that informs the All Blacks’ fan base and player recruitment.

“England and New Zealand first met on 2 December 1905, a match that began a century-long rivalry.”

— Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia)

“The 2026 Nations Championship fixture is scheduled for Saturday 21 November at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, with a 2:10pm kick-off, and ITV is the confirmed UK broadcaster.”

— Autumn Internationals (fixture listing site)

For England, the 2026 clash with New Zealand is more than a pool match: it’s a chance to prove that their 2025 Hillary Shield win was no fluke, or risk seeing the All Blacks reassert their dominance on home soil. The fixture offers a rare opportunity for English fans to witness a rivalry that started 120 years ago — live on free-to-air television.

Frequently asked questions