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2026 Six Nations to Open with First-Ever Thursday Night Fixture

France will host Ireland on February 5, 2026, as the tournament adopts a compressed six-week schedule with one rest week to align with the new global rugby calendar.

Overview

  • The 2026 Six Nations will begin with a Thursday night match between defending champions France and Ireland, the first midweek game since 1948.
  • The schedule has been shortened to six weeks with only one rest week, a change tied to the introduction of the Nations Cup later in the year.
  • The Thursday opener avoids a scheduling conflict with the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony on February 6, 2026.
  • France’s home games, including the opener, are expected to be held at the Stade de France, though venue negotiations with the French Rugby Federation are ongoing.
  • Player welfare concerns have been raised over the reduced rest period, with critics citing increased physical strain in an already demanding tournament.