France defended their Six Nations title despite a shock defeat at Murrayfield — Scotland’s upset win over the defending champions kept the title race alive until the final day. Ireland clinched the Triple Crown, while Wales finally broke their winless streak to give the 2026 Championship compelling storylines beyond the title race.
Tournament Dates: February to March 2026 ·
Opening Match: France vs Ireland, 5 Feb 2026 ·
Champion: France (second successive title) ·
Teams: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales
Quick snapshot
- France clinched second successive title on 14 March 2026 (Six Nations Guide)
- France 36-14 Ireland opened tournament on 5 Feb 2026 (Sky Sports)
- Ireland won Triple Crown with 43-21 win over Scotland (Six Nations Guide)
- Specific TV broadcast schedules for individual matches not confirmed (Six Nations Rugby)
- Exact public ticket on-sale dates vary by union and remain unclear (Six Nations Rugby)
- Italy and England ticketing processes have limited public details (Six Nations Rugby)
- Fixtures confirmed 19 May 2025 via official announcement (Irish Rugby)
- Tournament ran 5 Feb – 14 Mar 2026 (Irish Rugby)
- France’s only loss came in Round 4, 7 Mar (Six Nations Guide)
- Attention turns to 2027 Championship with new fixture cycle
- Scotland’s Murrayfield home games sold out; check official sites for returns
- Secondary markets remain option for sold-out fixtures
The key facts about the 2026 Six Nations Championship reveal how the title race unfolded across five weekends of competition.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Start Date | 5 March 2026 |
| Format | Round-robin, 5 matches per team |
| Defending Champs | France (2025) |
| Official Fixtures | sixnationsrugby.com/en/m6n/fixtures/202600 |
| Championship Winner | France (second successive title) |
| Triple Crown Winner | Ireland (2026) |
| Calcutta Cup | Scotland 31-20 England (14 Feb 2026) |
Six Nations 2026 Fixtures Timetable
The 2026 Championship opened on Thursday, 5 February, with France defeating Ireland 36-14 at Stade de France in Paris (Sky Sports). That result set the tone for France’s title defence, which they would ultimately complete six weeks later.
Opening Round
The opening weekend featured three matches beyond the headline France-Ireland clash:
- Italy 18-15 Scotland at Stadio Olimpico, Rome
- England 48-7 Wales at Twickenham (Allianz Stadium)
England’s dominant win over Wales suggested a strong campaign, though both teams finished in the lower half of the table.
Round 2 Schedule
The second weekend brought the Calcutta Cup back into focus. Scotland faced England at Murrayfield on Saturday, 14 February 2026, and won 31-20 to reclaim the trophy they lost in 2025 (Sky Sports). Ireland, meanwhile, beat Italy 20-13 at Aviva Stadium.
Wales hosted France on Sunday, 15 February, and suffered a heavy 54-12 defeat at Principality Stadium (Six Nations Guide). The result left Wales searching for their first win of the campaign.
Final Weekend
Super Saturday on 14 March 2026 delivered a fitting climax. Ireland’s 43-21 victory over Scotland sealed the Triple Crown (Sky Sports), while France’s 48-46 thriller against England at Stade de France confirmed France as champions. Wales closed their campaign with a 31-17 win over Italy — their first Six Nations victory in three years (Six Nations Guide).
Six Nations 2026 Table
France finished with four wins from five matches, losing only to Scotland in Round 4 (Six Nations Guide). Their sole defeat came at Murrayfield on 7 March, where Scotland upset the defending champions 50-40.
Standings Format
The Six Nations uses a straightforward points system: four points for a win, two for a draw, and a bonus point for scoring four or more tries or losing by seven or fewer points. The table updates after each round on the official Six Nations site.
Points System
France accumulated their title through consistent victories rather than bonus-point hunting. Ireland’s strong home record secured second place, while Scotland’s remarkable win over France elevated them to third — their best finish in recent years.
Six Nations 2026 Fixtures Timetable Release Date
Fixtures were confirmed on 19 February 2026 through official union announcements, including Irish Rugby. The announcement gave fans nearly nine months to plan attendance, though specific kick-off times remained listed in GMT across sources.
Announcement Details
The timing allowed unions to coordinate ticketing windows and broadcasters to plan coverage. Each union managed its own ticket allocation, with varying priority windows for members and general public sales.
Where to Watch Six Nations 2026 Fixtures
Television broadcast details for individual matches remain unconfirmed across official sources. The official Six Nations site lists fixtures but provides no TV scheduling information.
Broadcast Partners
UK coverage typically involves BBC, ITV, and Sky Sports. In Ireland, RTÉ and Virgin Media share rights. French matches are broadcast on France 2 and Canal+. Italian matches appear on RAI and Sky Italia. Exact schedules for 2026 were not specified in available sources.
Streaming Options
Streaming services including NOW TV, Sky Go, and broadcaster-specific apps offer live access. Check regional broadcasters closer to match dates for confirmed schedules.
TV broadcast schedules were not finalized in available sources. Fans should check regional broadcaster websites and official Six Nations channels for confirmed listings closer to the 2027 Championship.
Six Nations 2026 Fixtures Tickets
Ticket access varies significantly by host nation. Each union handles its own allocation, creating distinct purchasing pathways for every venue.
How to Buy
For Wales fixtures at Principality Stadium, tickets are currently available to Debenture Holders and WRU Premium Members (Principality Stadium FAQ). Official Members and Regional Season Ticket Holders receive priority access and discounted prices. Tickets are dispatched no later than seven days before each fixture.
Scotland’s three home games at Murrayfield are sold out, with the union advising supporters to keep checking for returned tickets (Scottish Rugby ticket page). Ireland’s fixtures at Aviva Stadium are distributed via Ticketmaster, with group bookings available by email (Aviva Stadium).
Key Matches
The opening France-Ireland match drew the largest opening-weekend crowd. The final round between France and England at Stade de France also attracted near-capacity attendance. Secondary markets like SeatPick and StubHub offer resale options for sold-out fixtures (SeatPick resale listings), though prices on secondary platforms typically exceed face value.
Fans seeking tickets to Murrayfield or Principality Stadium face the toughest access — sign up to union mailing lists now for priority windows before general sales open.
Stadium capacities range from 51,700 at Aviva Stadium to 82,000 at Twickenham, providing context for match demand across venues (SeatPick venue data).
| Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Twickenham (England) | 82,000 |
| Stade de France (France) | 81,500 |
| Principality Stadium (Wales) | 73,931 |
| Murrayfield (Scotland) | 67,144 |
| Aviva Stadium (Ireland) | 51,700 |
| Stadio Olimpico (Italy) | 70,600 |
2026 Six Nations Timeline
The Championship unfolded across five weekends from early February to mid-March:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 5 March 2026 | France 36-14 Ireland at Stade de France (opening match) |
| 14 March 2026 | Scotland 31-20 England — Calcutta Cup reclaimed |
| 15 March 2026 | France 54-12 Wales at Principality Stadium |
| 7 February 2026 | Scotland 50-40 France at Murrayfield (shock upset) |
| 14 February 2026 | Final round — France 48-46 England; Ireland 43-21 Scotland (Triple Crown) |
Six Nations 2026: What’s Confirmed and What Remains Unclear
The Championship produced clear winners and losers, but some details remain fuzzy for fans planning ahead.
Confirmed facts
- France won the 2026 Championship (second successive title)
- Ireland won Triple Crown on 14 February 2026
- Scotland beat France 50-40 at Murrayfield
- Murrayfield home games sold out
- Principality Stadium tickets available for debenture holders and premium members
- Ireland fixtures via Ticketmaster
What’s unclear
- Exact TV broadcast schedules per match not confirmed
- Public ticket on-sale dates vary by union
- Italy and England ticketing details limited publicly
- 2027 fixture release date not yet announced
Six Nations 2026: What People Said
France clinched first Six Nations crown since 2022 last year, beating Ireland in Dublin to deny them Grand Slam.
— Sky Sports rugby correspondent
France won the 2026 Six Nations Championship, claiming a second successive title.
— Six Nations Guide match summary
Our three home games are now sold out, we advise supporters to keep checking back.
Summary
France’s title defence survived Scotland’s upset at Murrayfield, with the final-round thriller against England sealing back-to-back Championships. Ireland’s Triple Crown added a subplot worth tracking as the 2027 cycle approaches. Fans seeking tickets face the toughest access at Murrayfield and Principality Stadium — sign up to union mailing lists now for priority windows before general sales open. Broadcast details remain the Championship’s biggest gap, so bookmark official channels for updates closer to the next campaign.
Related reading: When Is the World Cup 2026? Dates, Schedule, Venues & Tickets
six-nations-guide.co.uk, sixnationsrugby.com, sixnationsrugby.com, sixnationsrugby.com, stubhub.com
The comprehensive 2026 fixtures results and table alongside our timetable offers key highlights, full standings, and ticket details for every match.
Frequently asked questions
What date does Six Nations 2026 start?
The 2026 Championship started on Thursday, 5 March 2026, with France defeating Ireland 36-14 at Stade de France.
Where is Ireland’s first 2026 Six Nations match?
Ireland opened at home at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, on 14 March 2026 against Italy, winning 20-13.
How many matches in Six Nations 2026?
Each team plays five matches in a round-robin format, totalling 15 matches across the Championship.
When were 2026 fixtures released?
Fixtures were confirmed on 19 May 2025 through official union announcements.
What is the Six Nations points system?
Teams earn four points for a win, two for a draw, plus a bonus point for scoring four or more tries or losing by seven points or fewer.
Are there any changes to Six Nations 2026 format?
The 2026 Championship maintained the traditional format: round-robin with five matches per team over five weekends.
How to follow live Six Nations 2026 scores?
The official Six Nations site updates results after each round. Broadcast partners also provide live score updates.
Sophie Marlowe is Culture & Lifestyle Editor at TheUKDaily.uk, covering culture, entertainment, lifestyle, events, media trends and consumer features.