For English sports fans, tracking the next fixture across football, rugby, and cricket often requires visiting multiple websites. As of late 2025, the schedules for these national teams are at very different stages of confirmation, with some calendars fully published and others still pending major draws. This guide provides a single, fact-based overview of who England are playing next across all three major sports.
Cricket fans have the clearest picture, with a full home summer mapped out against New Zealand, West Indies, and South Africa. Rugby supporters have the Six Nations locked in, but are waiting on autumn opponents. Football followers, meanwhile, face a quiet period until a summer friendly in 2026, with the World Cup draw still to come. Below is a breakdown of the next confirmed opponents for each senior England team.
Who Are England Playing Next in Football?
Next Match Overview
Men’s Football
vs New Zealand
6 June 2026
Friendly | ITV
Women’s Football
TBC
TBC
International | TBC
Rugby Union
vs Wales
7 Feb 2026
Six Nations | ITV
Men’s Cricket
vs New Zealand
4 June 2026
Test | Sky Sports
Key Insights at a Glance
- England men’s football will face New Zealand in a friendly on 6 June 2026.
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage draw has not yet taken place, meaning tournament opponents are unknown.
- Women’s football fixtures for the 2026 calendar year remain unannounced by the FA.
- Rugby union’s Six Nations campaign opens against Wales on 7 February 2026.
- Men’s cricket begins its home summer with a Test match against New Zealand on 4 June 2026.
- All England home cricket matches are televised on Sky Sports Cricket.
- Rugby’s Autumn International series opponents are yet to be confirmed by the RFU.
Upcoming Men’s Senior Football Matches
According to the official England Football website, the next confirmed men’s senior fixture is a friendly against New Zealand on 6 June 2026. The venue is yet to be announced. This match falls outside a major tournament and serves as preparation for the 2026 World Cup cycle.
England’s Next World Cup Match
England have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, the group stage draw is scheduled for late 2025. Opponents and exact match dates remain unconfirmed until the draw takes place. Updates will appear on BBC Sport once the schedule is released.
England’s Next Euro Match
Following the 2024 European Championship in Germany, the next edition of the tournament will be held in 2028, co-hosted by the United Kingdom and Ireland. Qualifying fixtures for Euro 2028 are expected to begin in 2026. No opponents have been drawn yet.
Who Are England Playing Next in Rugby?
Guinness Six Nations 2026 Fixtures
The next confirmed senior men’s rugby match is against Wales in the Guinness Six Nations on 7 February 2026. The match will be broadcast live on ITV. Full details on the entire 2026 championship are available through England Rugby Travel, which lists the dates and venues for all five rounds.
While the Six Nations fixtures are locked in, the full 2026 men’s rugby schedule remains incomplete. Autumn Internationals and Summer Tour opponents have not yet been formally announced by the RFU. Broadcast details for these additional matches are also pending confirmation.
What Time and Where Is the England Match Today?
TV Channels for England Football Matches
England men’s football matches are broadcast across ITV, BBC, and Sky Sports depending on the competition and rights holder. For the most up-to-date listings, Live Football on TV provides a regularly updated table of upcoming England games with specific channels and kick-off times.
TV Channels for England Rugby Matches
Six Nations matches involving England are broadcast free-to-air on ITV. Autumn internationals have historically been shown on TNT Sports. Women’s international rugby matches are typically broadcast live on the BBC.
Live Streaming Options
Streaming availability depends on the broadcaster. ITV matches are available via ITVX, BBC matches via BBC iPlayer, and TNT Sports matches via Discovery+. For cricket, Sky Sports matches are streamed via Sky Go or NOW TV. Geo-restrictions apply to some of these services.
England Cricket – Next Test and Limited-Overs Fixtures
Upcoming England Men’s Test Series
England’s next Test match is against New Zealand at Lord’s, starting on 4 June 2026. This is the first of a three-match series, with subsequent Tests at The Kia Oval and Trent Bridge. The full schedule is available on the ECB official site.
England White-Ball Fixtures (ODI & T20)
Following the Test series, England host West Indies for five T20Is in July 2026, starting at the Riverside Ground in Durham. A three-match Test series against South Africa follows in August and September 2026, beginning at Headingley.
All England home international matches are broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket. For viewers without a satellite subscription, streaming passes are available through NOW TV. Highlights are typically shown free-to-air on the BBC.
Fans attempting to stream England matches via BBC iPlayer or ITVX should be aware that geo-restrictions apply. These services require a UK IP address and a valid TV license for live content. International viewers may need to check local broadcasters.
What Is the Timeline of Confirmed England Fixtures?
- 7 February 2026: Rugby Union – England vs Wales (Six Nations, ITV)
- Late May 2026: Women’s Cricket – England vs New Zealand (T20I, Sky Sports)
- 4 June 2026: Men’s Cricket – England vs New Zealand (1st Test, Lord’s, Sky Sports)
- 6 June 2026: Men’s Football – England vs New Zealand (Friendly, ITV)
Which Fixtures Are Set in Stone and Which Could Change?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| England vs New Zealand Test series (Cricket) | World Cup 2026 group stage opponents |
| England vs Wales Six Nations match (Rugby) | Women’s football fixtures for 2026 |
| England vs New Zealand friendly (Football) | TV broadcast rights for future cycles |
| West Indies T20I series (Cricket) | Summer Tour opponents for Rugby |
What Is the Current State of England’s National Teams?
England’s national teams are navigating distinct transitional periods. The men’s football side is regrouping after the 2024 European Championship, with a focus on building towards the 2026 World Cup under a settled manager. Rugby union is similarly recalibrating post the 2023 Rugby World Cup, using the 2026 Six Nations as a benchmark for progress. Cricket, meanwhile, enters the home summer with a revamped batting lineup and a packed schedule of Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
Where Can Fans Find Official England Fixtures and Updates?
“Fixtures and results for all England men’s senior teams are published on TheFA.com.”
“The official home of England cricket. View upcoming fixtures and buy tickets.”
“BBC Sport is the definitive source for live scores, fixtures, and results across football, rugby, and cricket.”
A Quick Look at Who England Are Playing Next
For fans asking who England are playing next, the immediate answer depends on the sport. Cricket offers the most immediate action with a Test series against New Zealand starting in June. Rugby fans have a Six Nations clash with Wales marked for February. Football supporters face a longer wait, with a friendly against New Zealand scheduled for June 2026. Official team websites remain the most reliable sources for exact dates and kick-off times. For a complete breakdown of the red-ball schedule, see our dedicated guide: England vs New Zealand 2026 Test series fixtures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are England playing next in the Premier League?
England is a national team and does not compete in the Premier League. This guide covers the England national football team’s fixtures against other nations.
When is the next England rugby match?
The next confirmed fixture is England versus Wales in the Six Nations on 7 February 2026. Earlier autumn 2025 matches are to be announced.
Where can I watch England matches live online?
ITVX, BBC iPlayer, and Discovery+ provide live streams for their respective broadcast matches. Sky Go is the streaming platform for Sky Sports Cricket coverage.
When does England play next in the World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the next target. Group stage opponents and dates will be announced following the official draw in late 2025.
Is there an England match today?
As of June 2025, there are no England matches taking place. The next scheduled fixture across all sports is the Six Nations match in February 2026.
Who are England playing in the women’s cricket series?
England Women are scheduled to play New Zealand Women in a T20I series starting in late May 2026. More details are available in our roundup of England Women’s cricket fixtures 2026.
Jonathan Whitfield is Editor-in-Chief at readingwire.co.uk, overseeing editorial policy, corrections, standards and publication decisions. He writes occasional leader columns and major news stories.