Overview

• The 2026 Six Nations will begin with a Thursday night match between defending champions France and Ireland, the first midweek game since 1948.
• The schedule has been shortened to six weeks with only one rest week, a change tied to the introduction of the Nations Cup later in the year.
• The Thursday opener avoids a scheduling conflict with the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony on February 6, 2026.
• France’s home games, including the opener, are expected to be held at the Stade de France, though venue negotiations with the French Rugby Federation are ongoing.
• Player welfare concerns have been raised over the reduced rest period, with critics citing increased physical strain in an already demanding tournament.