Six Nations confirms new broadcaster on four-year contract

The new agreement sees France TV build on its 33-year relationship with the Men’s Six Nations, alongside 14 consecutive years supporting the Women’s Championship.  

Confirmation of the enhanced new agreement follows an open consultation process with the free-to-air market in France. The outcome means fans can now turn their attention to a blockbuster 2026 edition of the Six Nations that starts with a unique Thursday night clash at the iconic Stade de France between France, the reigning men’s Champions, and Ireland on 5th February.  

The Men’s Six Nations has never been more competitive on the pitch, and fans are responding with year-on-year increases in viewership. This includes in France, with coverage of the 2025 Men’s Championship on France TV attracting 65.9 million viewers over five rounds of fixtures. Round Five of the 2025 Championship saw the French national team claim a dramatic victory over Scotland to seal the Six Nations title in the Stade de France, delivering a record-breaking average audience of 9.5 million, making it the most watched Six Nations fixture in the broadcaster’s history.  

France TV has supported the Women’s Six Nations since 2012, and the news of a new partnership with Six Nations Rugby ensures four more years of free-to-air broadcast coverage for the biggest annual event in the women’s rugby calendar.  

With record-breaking attendances at Women’s Six Nations fixtures hosted in France, the appetite for women’s rugby grows every year, and following the Women’s Rugby World Cup this summer, this trend is set to continue. Combined with free-to-air access of the Women’s Six Nations on France TV, the women’s game is being given the best possible platform to engage and inspire as many fans as possible for years to come.  

Commenting on the confirmation of Six Nations coverage in France from 2026-2030, Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, said: “This strengthened partnership between Six Nations Rugby and France TV represents a significant chapter in the history of this famous partnership. The men’s Six Nations Championship captures the sporting world’s imagination every year, and the Women’s Six Nations is the biggest annual event in the women’s rugby calendar.  

“France TV’s commitment to innovating the coverage of both Championships will give the massive rugby audience in France an experience like never before, taking the spectacle off the field and the entertainment provided by the game’s superstars on the field to an ever widening audience.

“This year’s edition of the Six Nations raised the bar, and Six Nations Rugby, our six Unions and Federations, and the France TV team are incredibly excited to continue building our longstanding relationship as we look to 2026 and beyond.” 

Florian Grill, FFR President, said: “We are extremely proud and delighted that France Télévisions, the historic broadcaster of the Six Nations Championship, will continue to support the journey of European and French rugby — both men’s and women’s. This renewal of broadcast rights reflects our shared commitment to bringing the emotions, passion, and values of our sport to the widest possible audience.

“The French Rugby Federation is pleased to continue this long-standing partnership and to further strengthen the unique bond between the French public and this exceptional competition.”

We’ve given you FIVE minutes to see, with the number of appearances each nation has made given as a clue.

Note: this list and the total number of appearances is up to and including the 2018 World Cup – but not any of the national teams that have qualified for the 2023 tournament, which includes Chile.

The score from the geography whiz in the RUCK office to beat is 23/25. Getting 100% is achievable if you really put your mind to it.