The decision to hold the 2026 Six Nations opener between France and Ireland on Thursday, February 5th, appears to be largely at the behest of the host broadcasters. France Télévisions want to avoid a clash with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan on Friday, February 6th.
Of course, the game could have been held the following day, or on the opening Sunday, but for the last two seasons France 2, the main channel of public-service broadcaster France Télévisions has shown the opening game live.
The opening game of the 2025 season, France’s Friday night demolition of Wales at the Stade de France, was watched by 6.7 million viewers domestically, up from the 6.6 million who watched the opening game of the 2024 tournament, also played on a Friday night, when France hosted Ireland in Marseilles.
While the venues have not been formally confirmed, it is anticipated that Ireland will meet France at the Stade de France in Paris, with a kick-off of 9.10pm (8.10pm Irish time). This will be challenging for travelling Irish supporters, and indeed French fans outside of Paris.
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The other significant change next season will see the championship run over six weeks. Despite assurances from the game’s governing bodies, the move is bound to raise further concerns about player welfare.
The reduction in fallow weeks from two to one is due to the inaugural Nations Cup, which is due to take place in the autumn and will feature four rounds of fixtures. To facilitate the new competition, the 2026 Six Nations will begin with three consecutive weeks of fixtures, followed by a week off, then two further rounds of games to conclude the championship.
Next season’s opening round will see Italy host Scotland and Wales travel to England on February 7th. In the second round, Ireland will be at home to Italy on Saturday, February 14th (kick-off 2.10pm) before they face England in Twickenham on Saturday, February 21st (kick-off 2.10pm).
After a week respite, Andy Farrell’s side will welcome Wales on Friday, March 6th (kick-off 8.10pm) and finish with a home game against Scotland on Saturday, March 14th (kick-off 2.10pm).
Confirming next season’s fixture details, organisers stated nearly 130 million people watched the 2025 Men’s Six Nations in home markets, representing a 6.3 per cent increase on 2024.
2026 Six Nations Fixtures
ROUND 1
Thursday, February 5th:
France v Ireland, 8.10pm
Saturday, February 7th:
Italy v Scotland, 2.10pm
England v Wales, 4.40pm
ROUND 2
Saturday, February 14th:
Ireland v Italy, 2.10pm
Scotland v England, 4.40pm
Sunday, February 15th:
Wales v France, 3.10pm
ROUND 3
Saturday, February 21st:
England v Ireland, 2.10pm
Wales v Scotland, 4.40pm
Sunday, February 22nd:
France v Italy, 3.10pm
ROUND 4
Friday, March 6th:
Ireland v Wales, 8.10pm
Saturday, March 7th:
Scotland v France, 2.10pm
Italy v England, 4.40pm
ROUND 5
Saturday, March 14th:
Ireland v Scotland, 2.10pm
Wales v Italy, 4.40pm
France v England, 8.10pm
