Six Nations 2026 Fixtures Timetable: Dates, TV Channels & Venues

The 2026 Guinness Six Nations is breaking tradition. For the first time in the tournament’s modern history, the championship opens with a Thursday night kick-off.

If you are a fan planning your annual rugby pilgrimage, the standard “weekend in February” script has changed. With a Thursday opener in Paris, a Friday night clash in Dublin, and the renaming of the home of English rugby to Allianz Stadium, the 2026 tournament requires smarter logistics than ever before.

This guide is not just a list of dates. It is your strategic planner. We have compiled the confirmed Six Nations 2026 fixtures timetable, broadcasting details, and essential travel advice to help you book your leave and accommodation before the prices spike.

At a Glance: Key Dates for Your Diary

Before we break down the rounds, here is the high-level schedule you need to block out in your calendar.

• Tournament Start: Thursday, 5 February 2026

• Fallow Weeks (No Matches): Weekends of 28 Feb & 8 March

• Super Saturday (Finale): Saturday, 14 March 2026

The Smart Booker’s Leave Calculator

To maximize your rugby viewing with minimum annual leave, we recommend booking these specific dates off work immediately:

• Friday, 6 Feb: Essential if you are travelling to Paris for the opener, or if you plan to enjoy the Thursday night match at the pub.

• Friday, 6 March: Required for travel to Dublin for the Ireland vs Wales Friday night fixture.

• Monday, 16 March: Super Saturday finishes late in Paris. You will thank yourself for the recovery day.

Round 1: The Historic Thursday Opener

The 2026 Championship explodes into life earlier than usual. Organizers have scheduled a primetime Thursday slot to maximize global viewership, but this creates a logistical headache for travelling fans.

Thursday, 5 February 2026

France vs Ireland

• Venue: Stade de France, Paris

• Kick-off: 20:00 GMT

• TV Channel: ITV 1

Logistics Warning: This is the big pinch point for travel. Eurostar trains returning from Paris to London on Friday morning, 6 Feb will be the first to sell out.

If you are planning to attend, do not wait for match tickets to be confirmed before booking your travel. Eurostar Booking Window opens 11 months in advance. Secure your seat on the train the moment they go live, or you may be forced to fly or take the ferry, adding hours to your journey.

Saturday, 7 February 2026

Italy vs Scotland

• Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome

• Kick-off: 14:15 GMT

• TV Channel: ITV 1

Travel Tip: The Stadio Olimpico is not in the city center. The tram line from Piazzale Flaminio is famously overcrowded on match days. For a stress-free transit, look for the dedicated shuttle buses that run from various points in the city, or allow 90 minutes to walk along the Tiber river if the weather holds.

England vs Wales

• Venue: Allianz Stadium (formerly Twickenham), London

• Kick-off: 16:45 GMT

• TV Channel: ITV 1

Venue Update: Note that Twickenham has officially been rebranded as Allianz Stadium. Your tickets and travel apps may display the new name, but the location and travel routes (via Twickenham or Whitton rail stations) remain exactly the same.

Round 2: The Valentine’s Weekend Clash

Round 2 lands directly on Valentine’s weekend. If you are booking a “rugby trip” to Dublin or Edinburgh, expect hotel prices to carry a significant “romance premium” alongside the usual sports demand.

Saturday, 14 February 2026

Ireland vs Italy

• Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

• Kick-off: 14:15 GMT

• TV Channel: ITV 1

Scotland vs England (Calcutta Cup)

• Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh

• Kick-off: 16:45 GMT

• TV Channel: BBC One

The Atmosphere: There is no fixture quite like the Calcutta Cup in Edinburgh. With the 16:45 kick-off, the city center will be teeming from midday. Best Pubs Near Murrayfield fill up by 11:00 AM. If you want a seat, arrive early.

Sunday, 15 February 2026

Wales vs France

• Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff

• Kick-off: 15:00 GMT

• TV Channel: BBC One

Smart Booker Tip: Cardiff hotel prices are notoriously high for international weekends. Consider staying in Newport or Bristol and taking the train in. The rail network puts on extra services for match days, and the 45-minute commute can save you hundreds of pounds on accommodation.

Round 3: The Move to Lille

After the first fallow week, the tournament resumes. Note a significant venue change for the French home game in this round.

Saturday, 21 February 2026

England vs Ireland

• Venue: Allianz Stadium, London

• Kick-off: 14:15 GMT

• TV Channel: ITV 1

Wales vs Scotland

• Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff

• Kick-off: 16:45 GMT

• TV Channel: BBC One

Sunday, 22 February 2026

France vs Italy

• Venue: Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille

• Kick-off: 15:00 GMT

• TV Channel: ITV 1

Expert Insight: France often takes one match per year on the road to engage fans outside Paris. Lille is an excellent destination for UK-based fans. It is actually quicker to reach Lille via Eurostar from London St Pancras (approx. 1h 22m) than it is to reach Paris.

However, Stade Pierre-Mauroy is a modern, closed-roof arena located in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, about 15 minutes by metro from Lille city center. The metro system is efficient, but buying a return ticket upon arrival prevents queuing at the machines after the final whistle.

Round 4: Friday Night Lights in Dublin

Round 4 brings us the second non-Saturday kick-off of the tournament.

Friday, 6 March 2026

Ireland vs Wales

• Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

• Kick-off: 20:00 GMT

• TV Channel: BBC One / S4C

Logistics Warning: Dublin traffic on a Friday evening is challenging at best. If you are flying in on match day, do not cut it fine. A flight landing at 17:00 gives you very little margin for error to clear customs, reach the city, drop bags, and get to Ballsbridge before kick-off. Aim to land by 14:00 at the latest.

Saturday, 7 March 2026

Scotland vs France

• Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh

• Kick-off: 14:15 GMT

• TV Channel: BBC One

Italy vs England

• Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome

• Kick-off: 16:45 GMT

• TV Channel: ITV 1

Round 5: Super Saturday (14 March)

The final day of the Championship—Super Saturday—sees all three matches played back-to-back. The 2026 schedule puts “Le Crunch” (France vs England) as the prime-time finale, potentially setting up a Grand Slam decider in Paris.

Saturday, 14 March 2026

Ireland vs Scotland

• Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

• Kick-off: 14:15 GMT

• TV Channel: ITV 1

Wales vs Italy

• Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff

• Kick-off: 16:45 GMT

• TV Channel: BBC One

France vs England

• Venue: Stade de France, Paris

• Kick-off: 20:00 GMT

• TV Channel: ITV 1

TV Channel Split: BBC vs ITV

Knowing where to watch is half the battle. In the UK, the broadcasting rights remain split between the BBC and ITV. This arrangement ensures all Six Nations matches remain free-to-air, but it can be confusing.

Here is the simple rule of thumb for the Six Nations 2026 fixtures timetable:

Ticket & Hospitality Availability

Securing tickets for the Six Nations is notoriously difficult due to high demand and allocation to local rugby clubs.

• Official Release Windows: Tickets generally go on sale to the public in September and October 2025.

• Hospitality: Packages usually go on sale earlier (Spring/Summer 2025). This is the only guaranteed way to secure a seat if you are not a member of a union or club.

• Safety Warning: Be extremely cautious of third-party resale sites. The unions crack down hard on unauthorized ticket sales. To ensure your ticket is valid, only buy via the official [Six Nations Rugby Official Ticketing] portal or the specific union websites (e.g., England Rugby, SRU, WRU).

Conclusion

The Six Nations 2026 fixtures timetable offers a fresh dynamic with its mix of Thursday night drama, Friday night lights, and a Lille excursion. The introduction of the Thursday opener specifically changes the logistics of being a fan. The “weekend trip” is now a “long weekend” commitment.

Whether you are booking flights to Rome or just negotiating control of the TV remote, planning early is the key. Mark the dates, book that Friday annual leave, and prepare for another incredible spring of rugby.

FAQs

Why is there a Six Nations match on a Thursday in 2026?

Organizers have introduced a Thursday night fixture (France vs Ireland) to test a new prime-time slot and maximize television audiences, avoiding clashes with other weekend sporting events.

Where is the France vs Italy 2026 match being played?

The France vs Italy match in Round 3 will be played at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, not in Paris. This is part of the FFR’s initiative to bring the national team to different regions of France.

What are the dates for the Six Nations 2026?

The tournament begins on Thursday, 5 February 2026, and concludes with Super Saturday on 14 March 2026.

When do Six Nations 2026 tickets go on sale?

Public tickets typically go on sale between September and October 2025, though hospitality packages are often available earlier in the year.

Is Twickenham changing its name for the Six Nations?

Yes. As of September 2024, the home of England Rugby is officially named Allianz Stadium.

Who has the TV rights for the 2026 Six Nations?

In the UK, coverage is shared. BBC broadcasts all Scotland and Wales home matches, while ITV broadcasts home matches for England, France, Ireland, and Italy.

Which Six Nations 2026 matches are on BBC?

The BBC will show Scotland vs England, Wales vs France, Wales vs Scotland, Scotland vs France, and Wales vs Italy. All other matches are on ITV.