25-05-2025
Six Nations organisers need to tread carefully after latest fixture announcement
If you haven't managed to watch Trainwreck: Woodstock 99 on Netflix, you should add it to your watchlist soon.
It's a harrowing, fascinating and thought-provoking watch. The three-part documentary chronicles the ill-fated revival of the 1969 peace-and-love festival.
From staging the event at a decommissioned airbase, which was surrounded by an eight-mile perimeter fence with minimal shelter in sweltering conditions, outsourcing crucial infrastructure – such as food and drink vendors – to profit-hungry vendors to booking a host of nu-metal acts which whipped the charged crowds into a frenzy, it all coalesced into a perfect storm of mayhem as the 250,000 people in attendance became increasingly agitated. James Lowe of Ireland is tackled by Tommaso Allan, left, and Ange Capuozzo of Italy during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Italy and Ireland at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Suffice to say, the follow-up was doomed from the start.
The scene was apocalyptic by the Sunday night as revellers began to tear the festival apart. Soon, riot police were on the scene.
There is no shortage of finger-pointing in the documentary and there are many strands to why Woodstock 2.0 descended into anarchy.
It does serve as a warning from history, however. It's a good example of big companies not appreciating their customers. The organisers of the Woodstock revival freely admitted that their sole objective was to make as much money as they could. DUBLIN, IRELAND: MARCH 8: Tadhg Beirne #5 of Ireland wins a line out during the Ireland V France, Six Nations rugby union match at Aviva Stadium on March 8th, 2025, in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Too often, consumers attend live events and feel like they are being shaken down from the moment they pass through a turnstile.
Everyone has their limits and supporters will eventually vote with their feet or, in the case of Woodstock 1999, react in a more febrile manner.
Which brings us to the recent Six Nations fixtures announcement. Once again, it felt like travelling fans were being short-changed, especially when tournament organisers confirmed Ireland's 2026 championship opener in France would take place on a Thursday evening, an unprecedented move in the Six Nations.
Naturally and understandably, it has put a lot of noses out of joint. Friday night and Sunday afternoon fixtures don't make life any easier for travelling fans either. France's Oscar Jegou celebrates scoring their side's fourth try of the game during the Guinness Men's Six Nations match the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Pic: PA
Why have the Six Nations power brokers made this unpopular move? To satisfy the big TV broadcasters of course. That's a prized revenue stream. Especially in the current climate with the professional game struggling globally.
But the fans shouldn't be taken for granted either. Anyone who has ever attended a Six Nations away game has experienced the buzz, giddiness and excitement as you stroll to Murrayfield, Principality Stadium, Stade de France and Stadio Olimpico. The sight of opposing fans mixing and enjoying each other's company is a special tradition in the tournament. Dan Sheehan of Ireland is tackled by Italy players, from left, Sebastian Negri, Tommaso Menoncello and Gianmarco Lucchesi during the Six Nations match between Italy and Ireland at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy. Pic: Rmsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Indeed, it wasn't that long ago when Six Nations games were taking place in empty, soulless arenas in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. A grim setting which merely reinforced the importance of fans to the whole matchday experience.
Yet it feels like they are being short-changed, again. Event organisers shouldn't take them for granted. There's some grim warnings from history on that front.
