• France will host Ireland in the first match of the 2026 Six Nations on February 5.
• This matchup marks the first-ever Thursday night fixture in Six Nations history.
• The final round includes a 'Super Saturday' on March 14 with crucial matches for all teams.
• The tournament runs from February 5 to March 14, featuring six national teams.
• France aims to maximize viewer engagement after previous record audiences.

In a landmark change for the Six Nations tournament, France will host Ireland in the opening fixture on February 5, 2026, at 20:10 GMT. This match represents the first-ever Thursday night game in the history of the Six Nations, scheduled to avoid overlapping with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. The shift is intended to maximise audience reach, particularly after France's previous final, which garnered around 9.5 million viewers, marking a significant 46% viewer share on France2. The tournament will feature a total of six teams: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales, running from February 5 to March 14, 2026, according to BBC, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.

The Six Nations 2026 will feature several key matchups, particularly the final day, which is termed 'Super Saturday.' This day will see Ireland playing Scotland, Italy facing Wales, and France hosting England. Each of the matches has been strategically scheduled to preserve the tournament's intensity through its final weekend. Additionally, the tournament format has changed, now allowing only one rest weekend, rather than the previous two, to maintain momentum, according to BBC and Reuters.

France's latest title victory in the Six Nations came after a dominant performance, securing their seventh championship in March with a decisive 35-16 win against Scotland, their first championship since 2022. With their recent success, anticipation is high for the upcoming tournament, particularly for the opening match which is expected to set the tone for the competition. The events leading into this announcement signal a focused effort by organizers to enhance the viewer experience and overall excitement of the Six Nations, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.