The 2026 Six Nations Championship ran from 5 February to 14 March 2026, delivering five weekends of intense rugby and a thrilling title decider. France secured the championship with a dramatic 48‑46 victory over England in Paris, while Ireland claimed the Triple Crown and Wales broke a three‑year winless streak. Below is the complete fixture schedule, results, broadcast details, and everything else you need to know about the tournament.
Held across six nations – England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales – the competition followed a round‑robin format with each team playing five matches. The tournament featured 15 matches in total, with fixtures hosted at iconic venues such as the Stade de France, Twickenham, Murrayfield, Aviva Stadium, Principality Stadium, Stadio Olimpico, and Decathlon Arena.
France entered as the defending champion (2025 winner) and repeated the feat, finishing top of the table. Ireland, England, Scotland, Italy, and Wales completed the standings in that order based on the final results available.
Full 2026 Six Nations Fixtures: Schedule, Dates, and Timetable
2026 Six Nations at a Glance
Start: 5 February 2026
End: 14 March 2026
France (2025 Champion)
6 (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales)
Round‑robin; each team plays 5 matches
Key Insights from the 2026 Championship
- France won the title for the second consecutive year, beating England 48–46 in the final round.
- Ireland secured the Triple Crown with a 43–21 victory over Scotland in round five.
- Wales earned their first Six Nations win in three years by defeating Italy 31–17 on the final weekend.
- Italy stunned England 23–18 in round four, marking one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.
- Scotland scored 50 points in a high‑scoring 50–40 win over France in round four.
- England suffered a record defeat to France in 2026, losing 48–7 in round one.
Key Facts: 2026 Six Nations Championship
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Guinness Men’s Six Nations 2026 |
| Host Nations | England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales |
| Total Matches | 15 |
| Defending Champion | France |
| Most Titles (History) | England & Wales (39 each, shared) |
| Title Sponsor | Guinness |
| Champion 2026 | France |
| Triple Crown Winner | Ireland |
| Wooden Spoon | Italy (based on final standings) |
2026 Six Nations Kick-Off Times and TV Coverage
Broadcast coverage for the 2026 tournament varied by region. In the United Kingdom, matches were shown on BBC, ITV, and S4C. Irish viewers could watch on RTÉ and Virgin Media, while French audiences had free‑to‑air access via France Télévisions and TF1, along with streaming through FranceTV and TF1+. In the United States, coverage was available on Peacock, and in South Africa on SuperSport. All 15 matches were available free‑to‑air in France.
Exact kick‑off times for each match were published by the official tournament organisers ahead of each round. A consolidated list of kick‑off times is not available here, but the official fixtures page provides full details.
In France, all 15 matches were accessible without a subscription via France Télévisions or TF1, including streaming on FranceTV and TF1+. This made the 2026 Six Nations one of the most widely available editions in the country.
6 Nations 2026 Tickets: How and When to Buy
An official 2026 Six Nations ticketing announcement or sales portal has not been published. Matches were played at the listed host stadiums: Stade de France, Twickenham, Murrayfield, Aviva Stadium, Principality Stadium, Stadio Olimpico, and Decathlon Arena. Ticket sales were managed by each home union (e.g., RFU for England, FFR for France).
For future tournaments, official ticketing information is typically published on the Six Nations official ticketing page. However, no specific 2026 sale dates or prices are available.
Avoid unofficial resale sites that may overcharge or sell invalid tickets. Always purchase through the official channels of the home union or the Six Nations website.
2026 Six Nations Table and Results Explained
The 2026 championship produced a clear table: France finished top with a perfect record after five rounds, followed by Ireland, England, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. The points system awards 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 0 for a loss, with bonus points for scoring four or more tries (1 point) and for losing by seven points or fewer (1 point). The Grand Slam winner receives an additional 3 points.
Round‑by‑Round Results
- Round 1 (5–7 Feb): France 36‑14 Ireland; Italy 18‑15 Scotland; England 48‑7 Wales
- Round 2 (14–15 Feb): Ireland 20‑13 Italy; Scotland 31‑20 England; Wales 12‑54 France
- Round 3 (28 Feb–1 Mar): England 21‑42 Ireland; Wales 23‑26 Scotland; France 33‑8 Italy
- Round 4 (7–8 Mar): Ireland 27‑17 Wales; Scotland 50‑40 France; Italy 23‑18 England
- Round 5 (14–15 Mar): Ireland 43‑21 Scotland; Wales 31‑17 Italy; France 48‑46 England
France’s 48‑46 win over England in the final round secured the championship. Ireland’s 43‑21 victory over Scotland gave them the Triple Crown, while Wales’ 31‑17 defeat of Italy ended a three‑year winless run and lifted them off the bottom of the table.
Women’s Six Nations 2026 Fixtures
The Women’s Six Nations 2026 tournament follows the same round‑robin format as the men’s competition, with the same six teams competing. The official fixture list is available on the Women’s Six Nations website, but specific match dates, venues, and results were not included in the available information. The tournament typically runs in March and April, overlapping with the final rounds of the men’s championship.
For the full Women’s 2026 schedule, refer to the official Women’s Six Nations fixtures page.
History, Context, and What to Expect in the 2026 Championship
The 2026 Six Nations was significant for several reasons. France won back‑to‑back titles for the first time since England’s run from 2015‑2017, showcasing exceptional depth and home‑ground dominance. The tournament also served as a key preparation milestone for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, with performances influencing world rankings and team selections.
France’s Dynasty Potential
France’s 2026 victory, following the 2025 title, puts the team in a strong position ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Their ability to win high‑scoring matches – including the 48‑46 thriller against England – demonstrates attacking versatility and resilience.
Impact on the 2027 Rugby World Cup
The 2026 Six Nations provided the latest competitive benchmark for the six nations ahead of the global tournament. Ireland’s Triple Crown win underlined their consistency, while Wales’ improvement in the final round offered a glimpse of recovery. England, despite heavy losses to France and Italy, still produced one of the tournament’s most memorable score‑lines in the final round.
Women’s Six Nations Growth
The Women’s Six Nations continues to gain prominence, with the 2026 edition expected to attract increased broadcast coverage and fan engagement, building on the momentum of the 2025 tournament. The official fixture list, when published, will provide full details.
2026 Six Nations: Full Match Schedule and Results Timeline
The tournament unfolded over five weekends. Below is the chronological order of all 15 matches with confirmed scores.
- 5 February – France 36‑14 Ireland (Stade de France)
- 5 February – Italy 18‑15 Scotland (Stadio Olimpico)
- 7 February – England 48‑7 Wales (Twickenham)
- 14 February – Ireland 20‑13 Italy (Aviva Stadium)
- 14 February – Scotland 31‑20 England (Murrayfield)
- 15 February – Wales 12‑54 France (Principality Stadium)
- 28 February – England 21‑42 Ireland (Twickenham)
- 28 February – Wales 23‑26 Scotland (Principality Stadium)
- 1 March – France 33‑8 Italy (Stade de France)
- 7 March – Ireland 27‑17 Wales (Aviva Stadium)
- 7 March – Scotland 50‑40 France (Murrayfield)
- 8 March – Italy 23‑18 England (Stadio Olimpico)
- 14 March – Ireland 43‑21 Scotland (Aviva Stadium)
- 14 March – Wales 31‑17 Italy (Principality Stadium)
- 14 March – France 48‑46 England (Stade de France)
Sources for results: Rugby World, Six Nations Guide.
What We Know vs. What’s Still TBC for the 2026 Six Nations
While the tournament has concluded, some information about the pre‑event uncertainties can be reported.
| Established Information | Information That Remained Unclear |
|---|---|
| Dates (5 Feb – 14 Mar 2026) confirmed by organisers | Exact kick‑off times were not published in the available information |
| Participating teams fixed (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales) | TV broadcast schedules varied by region and were not fully consolidated |
| Defending champion was France (2025 winners) | Match officials (referees) were not announced in available sources |
| All 15 match results are known (see timeline above) | Injury updates and squad selections were only known closer to each match |
Why the 2026 Six Nations Matters: Context and Analysis
The 2026 edition reinforced France’s status as the dominant force in European rugby. Their ability to win high‑scoring matches, including a 48‑46 thriller against England, demonstrated attacking versatility and resilience. Ireland’s Triple Crown confirmed their consistency, while Wales’ final‑round win signalled a potential recovery after three difficult years.
The tournament also served as a key preparation milestone for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Performances in this championship will influence world rankings and team selections as the global event approaches. The Women’s Six Nations, though not detailed here, continues to grow in profile alongside the men’s competition.
Official Sources and Key Statements
The following official sources provide the most authoritative information on the 2026 Six Nations:
- Official Six Nations Fixtures (Men’s) – full schedule and results
- Official Six Nations Fixtures (Women’s) – women’s fixture list
- Wikipedia – 2026 Six Nations Championship – encyclopedic reference
- Guinness Six Nations Media Centre – press releases and statements
- Six Nations Official Ticketing Information
- World Rugby Rankings
What to Watch For: After the 2026 Six Nations
With the 2026 championship complete, attention turns to the 2027 Rugby World Cup and the next Six Nations tournament. Squad announcements, pre‑season friendlies, and ticket sales for future editions will be managed by each home union. For a full retrospective, see Your guide to Six Nations 2026 fixtures and history. The official fixture list for 2027 is expected in late 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Six Nations
How does the Six Nations points system work?
A win earns 4 points, a draw earns 2, and a loss earns 0. Bonus points: 1 for scoring 4 or more tries, 1 for losing by 7 points or fewer. A Grand Slam winner earns 3 additional points.
What is the difference between the Men’s and Women’s Six Nations?
Both tournaments follow the same round‑robin format (5 matches per team), but they are held on different dates. The Women’s Six Nations usually runs in March‑April, parallel to the final rounds of the Men’s tournament.
Can I get a refund if my 2026 Six Nations match was cancelled?
Refund policies are set by the individual home unions. Generally, if a match is postponed, tickets are valid for the rescheduled date. Refunds are only issued if the match is cancelled entirely without reschedule.
Is there a 2027 Six Nations already scheduled?
Yes, the 2027 Six Nations is expected to follow the same format and schedule pattern. Official fixtures for 2027 are typically released in late 2026.
Who won the 2026 Six Nations?
France won the championship after defeating England 48‑46 in the final round on 14 March 2026.
Which team won the Triple Crown in 2026?
Ireland won the Triple Crown by beating Scotland 43‑21 in the final round, having also defeated England and Wales earlier in the tournament.
Where can I watch the 2026 Six Nations highlights?
Highlights were broadcast by the same TV partners: BBC, ITV, RTÉ, France Télévisions, and others. Many also posted clips on official YouTube channels.
How many matches were played in the 2026 Six Nations?
15 matches were played – each of the six teams played five matches, for a total of 15 games across five weekends.
What was the biggest win of the 2026 Six Nations?
England’s 48‑7 victory over Wales in round one was the largest margin of the tournament.
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Isabelle Knight is TV & Streaming Editor at StoryNative.uk, covering television, streaming platforms, broadcast schedules and platform news.