Thursday night blockbuster to start 2026 Six Nations

When the 2026 tournament kicks off on February 5th, Ireland will face defending champion France in the first-ever Thursday night game in Six Nations history.

The last four titles won by Ireland and France have been moved up, and their blockbuster 20:10 GMT encounter will now be played in a different time frame than the Milan opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics in Milan.

The shift aims to increase French audience size.

With 9.5 million viewers (a 46% share of viewers) watching live on France2, the tournament’s finale, which came after France defeated Scotland to win the title, was record-setting.

Overall, the audience for the 2026 tournament increased by 6.3% overall in domestic markets.

Round 1

Thursday, February 5th, 20:10, France vs. Ireland

Saturday, February 7th, 2014: Italy vs. Scotland

Saturday, February 7th, 16:40 GMT: England v. Wales

Round 2

Ireland v Italy – Saturday 14 February (14: 10)

Sunday, February 14th, 2016 at 16:40 GMT, Scotland v. England

Wales v France – Sunday 15 Feburary (15: 10)

Round 3

Saturday, February 21 (14: 10): England vs. Ireland

Wales v Scotland – Saturday 21 February (16: 40)

France v Italy – Sunday 22 February (15: 10)

Fourth round

Ireland v Wales – Friday 6 March (20: 10)

Scotland v. France on Saturday, March 7 (14: 10)

Italy v England – Saturday 7 March (16: 40)

Round 5

Ireland v Scotland – Saturday 14 March (14: 10)

Wales v Italy – Saturday 14 March (16: 40)

With free weekend play on February 28 and March 1, the first three matches will be played in three weeks.

The final two rounds will be played on different weekends, culminating in a “Super Saturday” of back-to-back matches when France takes on England in the final contest.

The tournament’s shorter duration should help it gain more momentum, with more popular narratives and easier access to public discourse.

The third fixture round was originally scheduled to fall between two weekend rest periods.

Following France’s defeat of Ireland, the opening round of matches sees England play Wales on the same day (16:40 GMT) and Scotland travel to Italy on Saturday, February 7 (14:10 GMT).

France is still confirming the venues for its games.

The French Rugby Federation announced in December that it had not yet received a favorable offer to stay at their customary Paris residence, the Stade de France.

It added that it was taking into account “the various opportunities that are available” elsewhere.

While the Stade de France was closed as a result of France’s Six Nations participation in Marseille, Lille, and Lyon, the country was restricted to play there.

No venue can match the Stade de France’s 80 000 capacity and revenue, but all three venues can hold more than 50,000.

The 2026 women’s tournament will begin three weeks after the 2025 edition, allowing for an April start and May finish, according to Six Nations organizers.

The change is a part of the new, distinct global women’s game calendar.