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yesterday

Six Nations 2026 to Open with France-Ireland Thursday Night Clash

The tournament will feature a shortened six-week schedule and the first Thursday fixture since 1948, aligning with a new global rugby calendar.

France won the Six Nations this year and will open and close the 2026 edition
Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Wales v Scotland - Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, Wales, Britain - October 31, 2020 General view outside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Rebecca Naden/File Photo
Rugby Union - Autumn Nations Cup - Wales v England - Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, Wales, Britain - November 28, 2020 General view inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Rebecca Naden/File Photo
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Overview

  • The 2026 Six Nations will kick off on Thursday, February 5, with defending champions France hosting Ireland at the Stade de France, pending venue confirmation.
  • This marks the first Thursday match in the championship since 1948, scheduled to avoid a clash with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan the following day.
  • The tournament has been condensed to six weeks, with one of the traditional fallow weeks removed to align with the new global rugby calendar and accommodate the inaugural Nations Cup later in the year.
  • Broadcast agreements with BBC, ITV, and France TV ensure the tournament remains free-to-air in the UK, with coverage extended through 2029.
  • Final venue confirmations for France’s home matches, including the opener, are still under negotiation with the French Rugby Federation.