Six Nations Championship 2026
By David Chelly, updated January 21, 2026
The Six Nations Championship is the major annual rugby union competition contested by England, Scotland, France, Wales, Ireland and Italy. Every match matters, because the schedule is short, the level is even and the styles differ greatly from one nation to another.
Dates of the Six Nations Championship 2026
The 2026 edition is played from February 5 to March 14, 2026. The championship runs over five rounds, with a break in mid-March to give the squads a rest. The opening match is played on Thursday, February 5 with France vs Ireland at the Stade de France, and the championship concludes on Saturday, March 14 with France vs England.
Where is the championship held?
Matches are played in the six host capitals of the championship: London, Paris, Dublin, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Rome. Each nation plays both home and away, which creates balance and makes points difference and bonus points decisive when several teams finish close together in the standings.
Rules, standings and trophies
A win is worth 4 points, a draw 2 points and a loss 0 points. An offensive bonus point is awarded if a team scores at least four tries, and a defensive bonus point is awarded for a loss by 7 points or fewer. A team achieves a Grand Slam if it wins all its matches. The Triple Crown applies to the British nations when they beat the other three British teams. The Wooden Spoon goes to the team that loses all its matches.
Recent roll of honor, 2022 to 2025
In 2022, France won the championship with a Grand Slam. In 2023, Ireland won by completing the Grand Slam. In 2024, Ireland retained its title, with Tommaso Menoncello named player of the tournament. In 2025, France claimed the title after a very tight championship, without a Grand Slam, and Louis Bielle-Biarrey was named player of the tournament.
Tickets and practical tips
Tickets are sold mainly through the federations and official platforms linked to the championship. The best seats sell out quickly for the final weekend's fixtures and for high-stakes matches, especially in Paris, Dublin and London. To make the most of your budget, targeting an early-championship fixture or a match in Italy is often the simplest option, while still enjoying an excellent stadium experience.