"Shorter format" - 2026 Six Nations fixtures: Tournament kicks off on Thursday night

Monday, 07 July 2025 at 11:34

byRugby Rucker

The 2026 Six Nations Championship will kick off with a
historic first as defending champions France host Ireland under the lights in Paris on Thursday 5 February, marking the first-ever Thursday night fixture in the tournament’s storied history.

It’s a clash worthy of headlines: the two dominant forces of recent years—France and Ireland have claimed the last four titles between them—go head-to-head at 20:10 GMT, moved forward a day to avoid clashing with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan.

The primetime switch is designed to capitalise on massive home interest, especially after the record-breaking 2025 finale, which saw 9.5 million fans (a 46% market share) tune in to see France down Scotland and clinch the title.

Six Nations Momentum Building

This year’s tournament already recorded a 6.3% rise in audiences across domestic markets, and organisers are doubling down on momentum for 2026—by slashing the traditional two rest weekends to just one.

That means three action-packed rounds before a short breather, then a rapid-fire sprint to the finish. The grand finale will land with a bang on ‘Super Saturday’ (14 March), featuring a mammoth France v England showdown as the final fixture.

Organisers hope the shortened format will help keep storylines sizzling and fans locked in from start to finish.

2026 Six Nations Fixtures (All times GMT)

Round 1

Thursday 5 February
France v Ireland – 20:10

Saturday 7 February
Italy v Scotland – 14:10
England v Wales – 16:40

Round 2

Saturday 14 February
Ireland v Italy – 14:10
Scotland v England – 16:40

Sunday 15 February
Wales v France – 15:10

Round 3

Saturday 21 February
England v Ireland – 14:10
Wales v Scotland – 16:40

Sunday 22 February
France v Italy – 15:10

Rest Weekend

28 February – 1 March

Round 4

Friday 6 March
Ireland v Wales – 20:10

Saturday 7 March
Scotland v France – 14:10
Italy v England – 16:40

Round 5 – Super Saturday

Saturday 14 March
Ireland v Scotland – 14:10
Wales v Italy – 16:40
France v England – 20:10

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