Scotland's 2026 Six Nations fixtures revealed as huge Valentine's Day clash lined up amid competition changes
Scotland discover their Six Nations campaign and tournament starts on Thursday
Scotland will begin their 2026 Six Nations campaign in Rome against Italy after the fixtures for next year’s tournament were unveiled.
Gregor Townsend’s men will travel to the Italian capital on Saturday, February 7 (kick-off 2.10pm) - one of three away matches in the annual competition.
Scotland then host England in a mouthwatering Valentine’s Day Calcutta Cup clash on Saturday, February 14 at Murrayfield (kick-off 4.40pm) before hitting the road again on Saturday, February 21 when they head to the Principality Stadium to play Wales (kick-off 4.40pm).
The tournament then takes a week’s rest before Scotland host France on Saturday, March 7 at Murrayfield (kick-off 2.10pm) before finishing their Six Nations campaign off in Dublin against Ireland on Saturday, March 14 (kick-off 2.10pm).
There is one less “fallow” week than in previous editions, with the Six Nations now spread over six weeks rather than seven in a change to the rugby calendar. The tournament will also begin on a Thursday night this year, with defending champions France hosting Ireland on February 5.
The final round of fixtures remain on the same day, with organisers keen to finish with a “Super Saturday” set-up.
An official press release from the Six Nations read: “The 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations opens where the previous Championship concluded, in France, with the reigning Champions hosting Ireland for a blockbuster evening fixture on Thursday 5th February.
“France will have three home fixtures in 2026, hosting Italy in Round Three and England in Round Five, with the ‘Le Crunch’ serving as the final fixture of Super Saturday, on March 14th. Rugby fans in France can look forward to being part of the opening and closing acts of what is set to be another unmissable edition of rugby’s most loved annual occasion.
“Round One of next year's Guinness Men’s Six Nations packs a punch, with one of rugby’s greatest rivalries taking place at the Allianz Stadium, when England host Wales for the Anglo Welsh clash that will conclude the opening weekend of the Championship
“The rivalries don’t end there for England, who travel to Edinburgh in Round Two to face a Scotland side who will be adamant that the Calcutta Cup returns north of the border, after losing their grip on the Cup in 2025 when they attempted to make it five years in a row of winning rugby’s oldest piece of international silverware.
“Round Three sees Italy travel to France to face their fierce European rivals. The Azzuri have claimed famous wins, dramatic draws and suffered losses at the hands of ruthless France teams during their 25 years in the Championship, but it is its unpredictability that makes it one of the most anticipated fixtures in the Six Nations, each year.
“In Round Four, Ireland welcome fans for a Friday night fixture and resume the action after a brief hiatus and fallow week in the Championship. Wales head to Dublin looking to cause an upset but will face more than just a formidable Ireland side, thanks to the famous support of the home fans. All roads lead to Rome for England, in the penultimate weekend of fixtures in Round Four, as they take on Italy in the eternal city. Scotland meanwhile host France, in a repeat of the final fixture of the 2025 Championship, which ultimately sealed the title for France last time around.
Super Saturday keeps its place
“‘Super Saturday’ is a defining moment in the sporting calendar each year, with millions of fans all over the world tuning in to savour three back-to-back fixtures that never fail to deliver pure sporting drama. Proceedings get underway in Dublin, with Scotland travelling to face Ireland. Italy will take on Wales in Cardiff; the scene of some momentous victories for the Azzuri, and France host England in ‘Le Crunch’: a fixture packed with history and intense rivalry.
“The Guinness Men’s Six Nations gets more competitive and unpredictable each year, inviting more and more fans to tune in and enjoy the drama. In 2025, nearly 130 million fans were watching coverage of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations in home markets; a +6.30% increase compared to the previous year, and the set of fixtures for 2026 promises to keep fans hooked for five rounds of sporting entertainment.”
The Six Nations also announced that TV broadcast information will be announced in due course, while France’s home venues for their matches are yet to be confirmed.
Six Nations fixtures
Round One
Thursday, February 5: France v Ireland (8pm)
Saturday, February 7: Italy v Scotland (2.10pm), England v Wales (4.40pm)
Round Two
Saturday, February 14: Ireland v Italy (2.10pm), Scotland v England (4.40pm).
Sunday, February 15: Wales v France (3.10pm)
Round Three
Saturday, February 21: England v Ireland (2.10pm), Wales v Scotland (4.40pm).
Sunday, February 22: France v Italy (3.10pm)
Round Four
Friday, March 6: Ireland v Wales (8.10pm).
Saturday, March 7: Scotland v France (2.10pm), Italy v England (4.40pm).
Round Five
Saturday, March 14: Ireland v Scotland (2.10pm), Wales v Italy (4.40pm), France v England (8.10pm).
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