Honestly, the schedule for next year just dropped a massive curveball. If you’ve spent your life planning February and March around Saturday afternoons in the pub, the six nations 2026 fixtures are about to mess with your internal clock.
Forget the traditional weekend start. We are kicking off on a Thursday.
Yes, you read that right. On February 5, 2026, France will host Ireland under the lights at the Stade de France. It’s the first time since 1948 that a Championship match has been played on a Thursday. Back then, Ireland won in Paris on New Year’s Day. If they pull that off again in the 2026 opener, the momentum shift for the rest of the tournament will be seismic. France are the reigning champions, having snatched the 2025 title from Ireland by a single point, so this isn't just a game; it's a grudge match right out of the gate.
The Big Shakeup in the Six Nations 2026 Fixtures
The weirdness doesn't stop at the Thursday start.
Usually, we get two "fallow" or rest weeks. Not this time. The 2026 calendar has been squeezed, meaning there is only one break between Round 3 and Round 4. It’s a brutal physical demand on the players, and honestly, it’s probably going to favor the teams with the deepest squads. If you’re a Wales or Scotland fan, you're looking at that schedule and worrying about the injury list by March.
Round 1: A Weird Weekend
- France vs Ireland: Thursday, Feb 5 (8:10pm) - Stade de France, Paris
- Italy vs Scotland: Saturday, Feb 7 (2:10pm) - Stadio Olimpico, Rome
- England vs Wales: Saturday, Feb 7 (4:40pm) - Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
England hosting Wales at the newly rebranded Allianz Stadium (still Twickenham to most of us) is the big Saturday draw. Wales got absolutely thumped 68-14 by Steve Borthwick's side in 2025. They’ll be desperate for revenge, but they’re entering the 2026 tournament without Jac Morgan for the early stages after his shoulder surgery. England, meanwhile, are riding high after beating the All Blacks recently, though they’ll be sweating on Will Stuart’s Achilles recovery.
Round 2: Valentine’s Day Drama
Expect a lot of annoyed partners on Saturday, February 14.
Ireland host Italy in Dublin for the early kickoff, but the real meat is in the afternoon. The Calcutta Cup. Scotland travels to Murrayfield to face England at 4:40pm. Scotland lost the cup in 2025 by a single point. It was a heartbreaker. Duhan van der Merwe and Finn Russell will be looking to snatch it back in front of a home crowd that’s going to be absolutely feral.
Wales vs France wraps up the weekend on Sunday, February 15 in Cardiff. It’s a 3:10pm start. If France have already beaten Ireland in Round 1, they’ll be hunting a Grand Slam by now.
Why the Allianz Stadium Matters for England
The six nations 2026 fixtures mark a bit of a new era for English rugby’s home. It’s officially the Allianz Stadium now.
Purists hate it. Commercial directors love it.
England only have two home games this year: Wales (Round 1) and Ireland (Round 3). That’s a tough draw. Having to go to Murrayfield, Rome, and Paris in a single campaign is a nightmare for any coach. Borthwick’s best-case scenario is winning those two home games and somehow surviving the Parisian finale on Super Saturday.
Round 3: The Mid-Point
- England vs Ireland: Saturday, Feb 21 (2:10pm) - Twickenham
- Wales vs Scotland: Saturday, Feb 21 (4:40pm) - Principality Stadium
- France vs Italy: Sunday, Feb 22 (3:10pm) - Decathlon Arena, Lille
Take note of the venue for France vs Italy. It’s not in Paris. They’re taking the game to Lille. It’s a cool move, actually. It gives the northern fans a chance to see the national team without the trek to the capital. Italy actually drew with France recently, so don’t assume this is a walkover for Les Bleus.
The Brutal Run to Super Saturday
After Round 3, everyone gets a week off. They’ll need it. The physical toll of three back-to-back Test matches is insane.
When they return on Friday, March 6, we get another night game. Ireland vs Wales in Dublin. 8:10pm kick-offs always feel a bit different—louder, more intense. Wales haven’t had a great run in Dublin lately, and without the second fallow week later on, this game is where the "squad rotation" talk starts to get real.
Round 4: The Roman Holiday
Scotland face France at Murrayfield on Saturday, March 7 (2:10pm). This was the game that decided the title in 2025. France won it then, and Scotland will be looking to play spoiler.
Then, England head to Rome. Italy vs England at 4:40pm. Italy aren't the easy five points they used to be. They beat Wales and pushed Scotland to the brink last year. England cannot afford to sleepwalk through the Stadio Olimpico if they want to stay in title contention.
Super Saturday: March 14, 2026
The finale is always a marathon. Three games, one after another.
- Ireland vs Scotland (2:10pm): Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
- Wales vs Italy (4:40pm): Principality Stadium, Cardiff.
- France vs England (8:10pm): Stade de France, Paris.
The "Le Crunch" finale is the big one. France hosting England as the very last game of the tournament is a broadcaster's dream. If the table is tight, that 8:10pm kick-off in Paris will be the highest-stakes game of the year. Antoine Dupont will be back for France, which basically makes them a different team. He missed chunks of the 2025 buildup, but for 2026, he’s the talisman everyone is watching.
Actionable Tips for the 2026 Tournament
If you’re planning to follow the six nations 2026 fixtures, you need to move fast.
- Tickets: Don't buy from secondary sites. Stick to the official union portals (RFU, IRFU, SRU, etc.). They’ve been cracking down on resales, and you don’t want to be the person stuck at the gate with a fake PDF.
- Travel: If you're going to Rome for Round 4, book the flights now. The price jump once the Six Nations starts is ridiculous.
- TV Coverage: In the UK, the BBC and ITV are still sharing the rights through 2029. Most Saturday games are split, but that opening Thursday night game and the Friday night game are on ITV.
- Fantasy Rugby: It launches about two weeks before the first game. With only one fallow week, look for players on teams with high squad depth, as the "stars" might get rested in Round 4.
The 2026 Championship is going to be faster, more compressed, and honestly, a bit more chaotic than what we’re used to. That Thursday night opener in Paris is going to set a tone that will either make or break the season for the two favorites. Make sure your calendar is marked—just remember it's a Thursday, not a Saturday.