Watch the 2026 Inter Service rugby championship exclusively live with BFBS
The 2026 Inter Service men's and women's rugby union championships will be broadcast live exclusively by BFBS.
All matches from both tournaments at iconic venues like Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester and cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens in Northampton will be shown live on the BFBS Forces News YouTube channel and on BFBS TV (for serving personnel overseas only).
It promises to be another exciting period of Forces rugby, but what can fans expect?
Royal Navy v Royal Air Force - women's tournament match 1 - 18th April, 1:30pm
The opening piece of action in 2026 continues a rivalry that has provided a lot of competitive action over recent years.
While the Navy are considered the weaker of the three service women's teams, they will still provide a real test for the Air Force with players such as Jasmine Abel and new Navy captain Ellie Brightwell looking to impress.
The Air Force's talent is well-known and it's hoped that international stars such as Amy Cokayne and Sarah Bonar could appear in 2026.
Royal Navy v Royal Air Force - men's tournament match 1 - 18th April, 4:15pm
Both of the Navy v RAF matches will once again be held at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens. This fixture in 2025 saw the Navy battle to an important win on their way to the championship.
The RAF will look to bounce back this year and set up their championship pursuit in the right way.
History in this fixture shines favourably on the Navy – they've won 59 times against the Air Force at senior level compared to the RAF's 32 victories.
British Army v Royal Navy - men's tournament match 2 - 2nd May, 2pm
It's the most iconic sporting fixture in the UK military and in 2026, it continues to write historic chapters at Allianz Stadium, also known as Twickenham Stadium,
In the past two years, we've been treated to excellent title race-defining contests between these two teams. In 2024, Vereimi Qorowale scored a breathtaking try in the final minute of the match to snatch the win for the British Army by a point, while a year later, there was just four points between the two teams as the Navy got revenge.
Even if you take away the jaw-dropping prestige of this fixture and the grand stage that they use at the stadium, the action on the pitch has proven that the Army v Navy clash is must-see.
British Army v Royal Navy - women's tournament match 2 - 2nd May, 4:45pm
While the men's match has been incredibly tight, the women's Army v Navy rivalry has been one-way with the ladies in red comfortably winning on each of the four times they've faced the Navy at the Allianz Stadium.
In 2023 and 2024, the Navy got on the scoresheet sparking great celebrations, but 2026 will be about growing on moments to create a more sustainable and competitive team.
Either way, seeing these military female players on the big stage is a moment to celebrate each year.
RAF v British Army - women's tournament match 3 - 16th May
If the men's Army v Navy rivalry is important in deciding the Inter Service trophy, the same can be said about the women's RAF v Army clash.
In 2019, it was a memorable day at Kingsholm for the Air Force as they beat the Army 23-14 to win the championship, but that only stoked the fire of the Army champions who have roared back to win the next four clashes and titles.
In fact, the RAF victory in 2019 is the only Inter Service match that the Army have ever lost, but could lightning strike twice in 2026?
RAF v British Army - men's tournament match 3 - 16th May
If the Navy are unable to defend their championship in 2026, this clash at Kingsholm will be a title decider.
Recent form in the fixture has been Army dominance including a 46-point demolition in 2019. However, last year's clash saw the RAF really push the Army and only lose by 7 points and their overall history in this fixture is kind. They've beaten the Army 62 times and will hope to recreate the spirit of the 2015 and 2018 winners.
In December, the Air Force won the under-23s championship for the first time in 19 years. Is 2026 the year the senior trophy goes light blue?
You can watch every match from the 2026 Inter Service men's and women's rugby union championships live on the BFBS Forces News YouTube channel and on BFBS TV (for serving personnel overseas only).
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