France Begin Title Defence in Historic Thursday Night Six Nations Opener
PARIS, 18 January 2026 – The 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship, the 27th edition of the expanded tournament, will commence under the lights of the Stade de France on Thursday 5 February with a blockbuster clash between defending champions France and Ireland. Les Bleus, who reclaimed the title from Ireland in 2025, will aim to secure back-to-back championships in a condensed five-week schedule that concludes with ‘Le Crunch’ against England on 14 March.
A New-Look Championship Schedule
The 2026 tournament introduces a significant format change, with only one fallow week scheduled after Round 3 instead of the traditional two. The competition will also feature its first-ever Thursday night fixture since 1948, breaking with recent tradition. The fixtures were officially announced on 19 May 2025. France will play three matches at home (vs Ireland, Italy, and England) and two away (vs Wales and Scotland).
France’s 2026 Six Nations Fixtures
| Round & Date | Fixture (All times GMT) |
|---|---|
| Round 1: 5 February | France v Ireland, 20:10, Stade de France, Saint-Denis |
| Round 2: 15 February | Wales v France, 15:10, Principality Stadium, Cardiff |
| Round 3: 22 February | France v Italy, 15:10, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille |
| Round 4: 7 March | Scotland v France, 14:10, Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh |
| Round 5: 14 March | France v England, 20:10, Stade de France, Saint-Denis |
Broadcast Rights: Free-to-Air Deal Secured Until 2029
Six Nations Rugby has confirmed a new four-year free-to-air broadcast partnership in the United Kingdom, securing the tournament’s visibility until 2029. From 2026, ITV will broadcast ten fixtures per year, including every England match. The BBC will show the remaining five fixtures, including every Scotland and Wales home match except when hosting England. In France, matches will continue to be broadcast free-to-air by France Télévisions. Premier Sports has also acquired rights to broadcast a selection of matches in the UK, complementing the free-to-air offering.
The Defending Champions’ Context
France enter the tournament as reigning champions, having won the 2025 Six Nations with 21 points, one point ahead of England. Their 2025 campaign was historic, scoring more tries than any team in a single Championship, with wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey touching down a record eight times. The squad, led by head coach Fabien Galthié, is expected to be bolstered by the return of talismanic scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who missed the end of the 2025 tournament through injury. However, they will be without Maxime Lucu at the start of the 2026 campaign due to injury.
Tournament Overview & Key Details
The 132nd season of the competition (including its predecessors) will be contested by England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. The points system awards four for a win, two for a draw, and bonus points for scoring four or more tries or losing by seven points or fewer. A Grand Slam winner receives three additional bonus points. The iconic trophies within the tournament include the Grand Slam, the Triple Crown (for the Home Nations), and the Calcutta Cup (contested by England and Scotland).
Frequently Asked Questions
When do tickets for the 2026 Six Nations go on sale?
Ticket sales are managed by each individual rugby union for their home matches. Sales typically begin between September and November of the preceding year (2025). Fans are advised to check the official websites of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and other national unions for precise release dates.
How can I watch the Six Nations in France?
In France, the Six Nations Championship is broadcast free-to-air by France Télévisions, primarily on France 2. This arrangement has been in place since 1975.
What was the result of the 2025 Six Nations?
France won the 2025 Championship with 21 points. The final standings were: 1. France (21 pts), 2. England (20 pts), 3. Ireland (19 pts), 4. Scotland (11 pts), 5. Italy (5 pts), 6. Wales (3 pts). Ireland won the Triple Crown.