The professional rugby calendar features a wealth of international, interprovincial, and domestic tournaments. Rugby players will often compete in three or more of these in a single year, representing their club, province, and country. Over the years the names and formats of many of these rugby tournaments have changed because of growth and varying sponsorships.
| Tournament | Description | Participants |
|---|---|---|
| Rugby World Cup | Held every four 4 years to crown the World Champion | 20 nations. 12 from previous tourney, 8 qualifiers |
| Six Nations Championship | Annual international championship of Northern Hemisphere | England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, and Italy |
| Tri Nations Series | Annual international championship of Southern Hemisphere | Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa |
| Magners League | Annual Northern Hemisphere interprovincial championship involving Celtic and Italian teams | Munster, Leinster, Ulster, Connacht, Ospreys, Blues, Llanelli, Dragons, Edinburgh, Warriors, Treviso, Aironi |
| Super Rugby | Annual Southern Hemisphere interprovincial championship | Australia: Brumbies, Reds, Waratahs, Western Force, Rebels; New Zealand: Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders, Hurricanes; South Africa: Bulls, Cats, Cheetahs, Sharks, Stormers |
| Heineken Cup | Annual European interprovincial/club championship | Varies every year by finish in domestic competition. 7 French, 6 English, 4 Welsh, 3 Irish, 2 Scottish, 2 Italian |
| Aviva Premiership | The top twelve 12 clubs in England play for the domestic national championship. | Leicester, Saracens, Gloucester, Northampton, Bath, Harlequins, London Irish, Wasps, Exeter, Sale, Newcastle, Leeds-Carnegie. |
| ITM Cup | New Zealand provincial championship, 14 teams split into premiership and championship, with some matches between the divisions. | Premiership: Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Southland,
Taranaki, Waikato, Wellington Championship: Counties Manukau, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, North Harbour, Northland, Otago, Tasman |
| Currie Cup | South Africa’s premier domestic competition. Eight provinces in the Premier Division. | Blue Bulls, Cheetahs, Griquas, Leopards, Lions, Pumas, Sharks, Western Province |
| Top 14 | France’s domestic championship has 14 teams. | Toulouse, Racing Metro 92, Castres, Clermont, Biarritz, Montpelier, Toulon, Aviron Bayonnais, Perpignan, Stade Francais, Agen, La Rochelle, Brive, Bourgoin |