Why the 2026 Six Nations Kicks Off on a Thursday? Full fixture list

Sunday, 01 February 2026 at 20:09

bySteven Smith

The 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship is already generating huge excitement — but not just because of the rugby. This year’s tournament will make history by starting on a Thursday night, something rarely seen in the competition’s modern era.

So, why the 2026 Six Nations kicks off on a Thursday? Here’s the full explanation, along with the complete list of fixtures for the championship.

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Why the 2026 Six Nations Kicks Off on a Thursday?

For the first time in the Six Nations era, the championship will begin on Thursday 5 February 2026, instead of the traditional Saturday opening.

The change is down to a mix of global scheduling pressures, broadcast priorities, and the wider sporting calendar.

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Avoiding a Clash With the 2026 Winter Olympics

The biggest reason why the 2026 Six Nations kicks off on a Thursday is to avoid competing with the Winter Olympics.

The Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony takes place on Friday 6 February, the day after the Six Nations opener. Broadcasters wanted to ensure rugby’s biggest annual tournament didn’t lose attention to one of the world’s largest sporting events.

Maximising Prime-Time TV Exposure

Another key reason why the 2026 Six Nations kicks off on a Thursday is television scheduling.

A Thursday night opener gives the tournament a dedicated prime-time slot, allowing fans across Europe to focus on one major match without weekend clashes from football, other rugby leagues, or Olympic coverage.

A Slightly Shorter Championship Window

The 2026 Six Nations will run from 5 February to 14 March, with fewer fallow weeks than usual.

Starting early on Thursday helps organisers fit the tournament neatly into the calendar while maintaining rest periods for teams and keeping key matches in premium broadcast slots.

Historic Thursday Opener: France vs Ireland

The answer to why the 2026 Six Nations kicks off on a Thursday begins with a blockbuster fixture:

France vs Ireland
Thursday 5 February 2026
Stade de France, Paris

It’s a massive opening match and the first Thursday night start in Six Nations history.

Full 2026 Six Nations Fixtures

Here are the confirmed fixtures for the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship.

Round 1 – Thursday 5 & Saturday 7 February

Thursday 5 February – France vs Ireland
Saturday 7 February – Italy vs Scotland
Saturday 7 February – England vs Wales

Round 2 – Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 February

Saturday 14 February – Ireland vs Italy
Saturday 14 February – Scotland vs England
Sunday 15 February – Wales vs France

Round 3 – Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 February

Saturday 21 February – England vs Ireland
Saturday 21 February – Wales vs Scotland
Sunday 22 February – France vs Italy

Round 4 – Friday 6 & Saturday 7 March

Friday 6 March – Ireland vs Wales
Saturday 7 March – Scotland vs France
Saturday 7 March – Italy vs England

Round 5 – Super Saturday, 14 March

Saturday 14 March – Ireland vs Scotland
Saturday 14 March – Wales vs Italy
Saturday 14 March – France vs England