Why does the 2026 Six Nations start on Thursday? Iconic tournament moved due to rival sporting event

The 2026 Six Nations gets underway this week and the iconic tournament will unusually be starting on a Thursday.

The opening night of the yearly competition between England, France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Italy is typically on a Friday, but that is all changed this year.

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It’s a cracking opening tie as well as the winners of the last four Six Nations, France and Ireland, meet in Paris.

The winner of the contest will put themselves in a great position, and despite being on Thursday, it’s still expected to be a sell out.

Interestingly, the presence of another iconic sporting event is behind the odd change…

Why does the 2026 Six Nations start on a Thursday?

The opener for the 2026 Six Nations is scheduled for Thursday, February 5.

This is to avoid a clash with the opening of the Winter Olympics on Friday, February 6.

The opening ceremony for that is to be held in Milan and will get going at 7:30pm UK time, with performances from Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli.

As a result, France v Ireland will start the latest edition of the Six Nations a day earlier.

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How to follow France vs Ireland

The Six Nations opener will start at 8:10pm UK time at the Stade de France.

ITV1 and ITVX will broadcast the match free-to-air while in Ireland, RTE are showing the contest.

talkSPORT will have updates throughout as well.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

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Six Nations schedule

(All times UK)

Thursday, February 5

• France vs Ireland – 8:10pm

Saturday, February 7

• Italy vs Scotland – 2:10pm
• England vs Wales – 4:40pm

Saturday, February 14

• Ireland vs Italy – 2:10pm
• Scotland vs England – 4:40pm

Sunday, February 15

• Wales vs France

Saturday, February 21

• England vs Ireland – 2:10pm
• Wales vs Scotland – 4:40pm

Sunday, February 22

• France vs Italy – 3:10pm

Friday, March 6

• Ireland vs Wales – 8:10pm

Saturday, March 7

• Scotland vs France – 2:10pm
• Italy vs England – 4:40pm

Saturday, March 14

• Ireland vs Scotland – 2:10pm
• Wales vs Italy – 4:40pm
• France vs England – 8:10pm