The Rugby World Under-20 Championship is returning to Georgia. In 2017, the tenth Under-20 Championship was held in two Georgian cities, Tbilisi and Kutaisi. Aia Arena and Avchala Stadium hosted the group stage matches, while the playoffs and finals took place at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium.

After the championship concluded, World Rugby awarded its highest rating for organisational aspects, deeming it the best-organised Under-20 championship to date. At that time, 12 teams participated in the tournament, with New Zealand claiming the championship title (defeating England 64:17 in the final), while Georgia finished in 10th place.

In 2026, Tbilisi and Kutaisi will again host the Under-20 Championship, with the number of participants increasing to 16, allowing Georgian rugby fans to witness the future stars of rugby. It’s worth noting that in the first two years after the Under-20 Championship’s establishment, 2008 and 2009, the number of participants was also 16, but it was later reduced to 12.

The 11 teams currently competing in the U-20 Championship in Italy, along with our U-20 team, will arrive in Georgia. These teams include South Africa, France, New Zealand, England, Argentina, Australia, Wales, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, and Spain. They will be joined by 4 countries that secured leading positions in last year’s second-tier competition: Fiji, USA, Japan, and Uruguay.

“We are hosting the Under-20 Championship for the second time, which is significant not only for the development of Georgian rugby but also for our country. The tournament format is expanding, and in 2026, 16 teams will play in Georgia instead of 12. We need to meet this challenge well and, like in 2017, deliver a very high-level championship,” David Kacharava, President of the Georgian Rugby Union, stated.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to hold the Under-20 Championship in Georgia once again, in a country whose people have a special love for the game and extensive experience in hosting world-class events,” Nigel Cass, World Rugby Director of Competitions and Performance, stated.