• Intends to avoid Winter Olympics clash 

Champions France will host Ireland in the opening game of next year’s Six Nations Championship with the first match of the tournament being held on a Thursday for the first time since 1948, according to an announcement by organisers on Monday (19).

The competition decided against holding the game on Friday, 6 February 2026 to avoid a clash with the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

The game is set to be held at the Stade de France, Paris while the French Rugby Federation said that Les Bleus’ two other home games, against Italy and England, could be played in different cities.

Ireland will welcome Wales on a Friday in Round 1, a first time for a game to be held in that slot in Dublin.

In a change from recent years, there will be just one weekend off instead of two for next season’s edition. 

Six Nations 2026 fixtures

Round 1

• 5 February: France vs. Ireland
• 8 February: Italy vs. Scotland, England vs. Wales

Round 2

• 14 February: Ireland vs. Italy, Scotland vs. England
• 15 February: Wales vs. France

Round 3

• 21 February: England vs. Ireland, Wales vs. Scotland
• 22 February: France vs. Italy

Round 4

• 6 March: Ireland vs. Wales
• 7 March: Scotland vs. France, Italy vs. England

Round 5

• 14 March: Ireland vs. Scotland, Wales vs. Italy, France vs. England

(Source: Agencies)