This page covers the major events of 2016 in rugby union.

International tournaments

• 6 February – 6 March: 2016 Americas Rugby Championship, won by Argentina XV
• 11–19 November: 2016 Cup of Nations, won by Russia
• 9–18 June: 2016 World Rugby Nations Cup, won by Romania

Northern hemisphere national teams

• February 6 – March 19: 2016 Six Nations Championship, won by England
• Autumn 2014 – Spring 2016: 2014–16 European Nations Cup First Division, won by Georgia
• 5 March – 1 October: 2016 Rugby Americas North Championship, won by Mexico
• 30 April – 4 June: 2016 Asia Rugby Championship in Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea; won by Japan

Southern hemisphere national teams

• March 8–21: 2016 World Rugby Pacific Challenge, won by Fiji Warriors
• 20 August – 8 October: 2016 Rugby Championship, won by New Zealand
• July 18 – August 3: 2016 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup, won by Fiji
• May 7 – June 4: 2016 Sudamérica Rugby Cup, won by Argentina

Club tournaments

Northern hemisphere clubs

• 13 November 2015 – 14 May 2016: 2015–16 European Rugby Champions Cup, won by Saracens
• 12 November 2015 – 13 May 2016: 2015–16 European Rugby Challenge Cup, won by Montpellier Hérault Rugby
• 5 September 2015 – 28 May 2016: 2015–16 Pro12, won by Connacht
• 22 August 2015 – 24 June 2016: 2015–16 Top 14 season, won by Racing 92
• 16 October 2015 – 28 May 2016: 2015–16 Aviva Premiership, won by Saracens

Southern hemisphere clubs

• February 26 – August 6: 2016 Super Rugby season, won by Hurricanes

Youth tournaments

• April 19 – May 1: 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Trophy in Zimbabwe, won by Samoa
• 3–7 May: 2016 Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championship in Australia and New Zealand, won by New Zealand
• June 7–25: 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship in England, won by England
• 11–17 December: 2016 U-19 Asia Rugby Championship in Malaysia, won by Hong Kong

Women's rugby

• 5 February – 20 March: 2016 Women's Six Nations Championship, won by France
• 6–15 October: 2016 Women's European Championship in Spain, won by Spain
• 6–8 August: Rugby sevens at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament, won by Australia

Rugby sevens

• 4 Dec 2015 – 22 May 2016: 2015–16 World Rugby Sevens Series, won by Fiji
• 9–11 August: Rugby sevens at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament, won by Fiji