Six Nations announce first Thursday night fixture and Friday Wales match as tournament cut
Six Nations announce first Thursday night fixture and Friday Wales match as tournament cut
There will be a series of firsts in next year's tournament
Wales will play Ireland in Dublin on a Friday night
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency )
Wales will play a Friday night Six Nations match in Dublin for the first time next year, while the 2026 tournament will also see its first Thursday night game as the fixtures were revealed.
Only France and Wales have hosted Friday night matches in the Six Nations since they were first introduced in 2009. But, with broadcasters seemingly favouring them, this year's tournament will see Ireland try their hand at hosting for the first time in their round 4 clash with Wales at the Aviva Stadium.
Given how France have taken to Friday night clashes, having started the tournament this year by hosting Warren Gatland's side in Paris, it's unsurprising they will have the honour of the tournament's first Thursday night match - with the tournament kicking off with an 8.10pm clash between France and Ireland on Thursday, February 5.
The venues for France's home fixtures have yet to be confirmed, with it currently unclear where the first Thursday match in the Six Nations will take place.
Wales' tournament starts with a bang too, as they head to Twickenham to take on England on Saturday, February 7 - having finished this year's tournament with a record 68-14 defeat to their closest rivals.
The opening weekend's other fixture sees Italy welcome Scotland to Rome. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
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Wales then take on France in Cardiff on the second weekend in a Sunday fixture, before hosting Scotland at the Principality Stadium the following weekend Next year's tournament has been cut by a week, with just one rest weekend and the first three rounds taking place on successive weekends.
After the solitary break, Wales then travel to Dublin for the Friday night clash with Ireland.
Ireland have hosted Friday night games before, playing New Zealand and Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in the autumn.
Wales have also played there on a Friday night too, although that was behind closed doors during the autumn of 2020.
Super Saturday sees Wales host Italy on March 14, sandwiched between Ireland's clash with Scotland and England's trip to France.
Six Nations 2026 fixtures in full
All kick-off times GMT
Round 1
France v Ireland - Thursday 5 February - 8.10pm
Italy v Scotland - Saturday 7 February - 2.10pm
England v Wales - Saturday 7 February - 4.40pm
Round 2
Ireland v Italy - Saturday 14 February - 2.10pm
Scotland v England - Saturday 14 February - 4.40pm
Wales v France - Sunday 15 February - 3.10pm
Round 3
England v Ireland - Saturday 21 February - 2.10pm
Wales v Scotland - Saturday 21 February - 4.40pm
France v Italy - Sunday 22 February - 3.10pm
Round 4
Ireland v Wales - Friday 6 March - 8.10pm
Scotland v France - Saturday 7 March - 2.10pm
Italy v England - Saturday 7 March - 4.40pm
Round 5
Ireland v Scotland - Saturday 14 March - 2.10pm
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Wales v Italy - Saturday 14 March - 4.40pm
France v England - Saturday 14 March - 8.10pm
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