2026 Six Nations Opens Thursday Night France, Ireland

The 2026 Six Nations rugby tournament will start with a historic Thursday night fixture between defending champions France and Ireland in Paris, a scheduling first designed to avoid clashing with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony and to maximize viewership, especially in France. The tournament will be condensed into six weeks with only one rest weekend, a change made to accommodate the inaugural Nations Cup later in the year, leading to a more demanding schedule that has raised player welfare concerns. The initial rounds will be played consecutively, with a break before the final rounds culminating on 'Super Saturday,' where France will host England for the final match. Venues for France's matches have not yet been confirmed, as the French Rugby Federation is exploring alternatives to the Stade de France. Broadcasters in the UK, including BBC and ITV, have renewed rights to air the tournament live, with ITV covering all England games and BBC showing Wales and Scotland home fixtures. This innovative scheduling aims to build momentum and maintain public interest throughout the shorter tournament duration.