The 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations Championship runs from 11 April to 17 May, with England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales competing across five rounds of international rugby union. Defending champions England arrive as overwhelming favourites, carrying a record fourth consecutive Grand Slam and the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy. France, beaten by a single point in last year’s title decider, pose the most credible threat in what promises to be the most competitive edition of the tournament in years.
What is the Women’s Six Nations?
The Women’s Six Nations is the premier annual international rugby union championship in the northern hemisphere. Contested by the six European rugby nations, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales, it mirrors the format of the men’s championship with each team playing five matches across the tournament window. Teams earn four points for a win, two for a draw, and zero for a defeat, with bonus points available for scoring four or more tries or losing by seven points or fewer.
The 2026 edition is the 25th running of the championship in its current Six Nations format. First established as the Home Nations championship in 1996, the competition expanded to five teams when France joined in 1999, and then to six when Italy entered in 2002. In recent seasons, the tournament has undergone significant professionalisation, with standalone scheduling (separate from the men’s fixture calendar), increased broadcast coverage, and record attendances transforming it into one of the flagship events in the women’s sporting calendar.
When is the 2026 Women’s Six Nations?
The tournament kicks off on Saturday 11 April 2026 and concludes on Sunday 17 May 2026, spanning five rounds across six weekends.
Round 1, Saturday 11 April: France v Italy (12:25 BST, Grenoble), England v Ireland (14:25 BST, London), Wales v Scotland (16:40 BST, Cardiff).
Round 2, Saturday 18 April: Scotland v England (13:30 BST, Edinburgh), Wales v France (15:35 BST, Cardiff), Ireland v Italy (17:40 BST, Galway).
Round 3, Saturday 25 April: England v Wales (14:15 BST, Bristol), Italy v Scotland (16:30 BST, Parma), France v Ireland (20:10 BST, Clermont-Ferrand).
Round 4, Saturday 9 May: Italy v England (14:00 BST, Parma), Scotland v France (16:15 BST, Edinburgh), Ireland v Wales (18:30 BST, Belfast).
Round 5, Sunday 17 May: Wales v Italy (12:15 BST, Cardiff), Ireland v Scotland (14:30 BST, Dublin), France v England (16:45 BST, Bordeaux).
The first four rounds follow a “Super Saturday” triple-header format, while the final round takes place on “Super Sunday” with the potential title decider between France and England scheduled as the last match of the championship.
Where is the Women’s Six Nations?
Matches are played across all six competing nations, with games hosted at some of the most prestigious rugby venues in Europe. The 2026 tournament features several high-profile grounds, reflecting the growing stature of the women’s game.
England’s home fixtures are split between Allianz Stadium (formerly Twickenham) in London for the Round 1 opener against Ireland, and Ashton Gate in Bristol for the Round 3 meeting with Wales. Scotland host matches at Murrayfield in Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Rugby Stadium, while Wales play at the Principality Stadium and Cardiff Arms Park. Ireland welcome teams to the Dexcom Stadium in Galway, Ravenhill in Belfast, and the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
On the continent, France host at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, Stade Marcel-Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand, and the Stade Atlantique in Bordeaux for the tournament finale. Italy’s home matches take place at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma. Several of these venues are hosting standalone women’s fixtures for the first time, with Scotland and Ireland both welcoming teams to their primary national stadiums.
Key Contenders
England are the team to beat. The Red Roses have won seven consecutive Six Nations titles and four successive Grand Slams, a record in the championship’s history. Their 2025 campaign culminated in a nerve-shredding 43-42 victory over France in the title decider, followed by a dominant 33-13 win over Canada in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final in front of a world-record 81,885 spectators at Twickenham. Head coach John Mitchell has built a squad of remarkable depth, with key players including fullback Ellie Kildunne, winger Jess Breach, prop Sarah Bern, and hooker Amy Cokayne. Centre Meg Jones captains the side and is among the nominees for World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year.
France remain the strongest challengers. Les Bleues pushed England all the way in 2025, with the title decided by a solitary point. Fullback Morgane Bourgeois topped the tournament’s scoring charts with 73 points, and forward Rose Bernadou provides power in the pack. The climactic Round 5 fixture in Bordeaux, with France hosting England, could once again prove decisive.
Ireland finished third in 2025 and continue to progress under head coach Scott Bemand. Flanker Aoife Wafer was named player of the tournament in 2025, while electric wing Béibhinn Parsons and back-row Grace Moore add quality across the squad. Ireland will be without Amee-Leigh Costigan and Edel McMahon through unavailability, but have the talent to trouble the top two.
Scotland and Wales are competitive but face a significant step up against the leading nations. Wales, ranked 12th in the world, play two of their three home matches at major venues including the Principality Stadium, hoping home support can spark an upset. Italy, buoyed by home fixtures in Parma, will look to build on recent improvement.
How to Watch
United Kingdom: The BBC holds exclusive rights to every Women’s Six Nations fixture through to 2029. All 15 matches are available live on BBC television and BBC iPlayer, with radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live. Welsh language coverage is available on S4C.
United States: NBC Sports holds the US rights, with all matches streaming live on Peacock. A Peacock subscription costs $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
Ireland: RTÉ and Virgin Media share free-to-air coverage, ensuring comprehensive access for Irish viewers.
France: France TV broadcasts all matches involving Les Bleues on free-to-air television.
Italy: Sky Italia carries Italian fixtures as part of its rugby coverage.
The free-to-air commitment across multiple territories has been central to growing the women’s tournament’s audience, with organisers reporting significant year-on-year increases in viewership.
History and Records
England are the most successful nation in the championship’s history by a considerable margin, winning 21 of the 30 editions contested through to 2025. Their current run of seven consecutive titles (2019 to 2025) is a championship record, as is their streak of four successive Grand Slams. France are the next most decorated nation with six titles, followed by Ireland with two. Scotland won the inaugural Home Nations competition in 1998.
The tournament has grown enormously in profile and attendance. The 2023 edition saw a then-record 58,498 fans watch England face France at Twickenham, a figure that has since been surpassed at subsequent fixtures. The 2025 championship saw a 38 per cent increase in overall stadium capacity compared to previous years, with fixtures held at major national venues for the first time. The wider growth of women’s rugby was underlined when the 2025 World Cup final drew 81,885 spectators, a world record for a women’s rugby match.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets are sold by each nation’s rugby union individually. Prices vary by venue and fixture, but the Women’s Six Nations remains one of the most accessible major sporting events in terms of cost.
England: Adult tickets start from around £17 to £20, with junior tickets (under 15) available for £5. Family packages are available from £39 at Ashton Gate. Tickets for Allianz Stadium fixtures are delivered via the Twickenham Stadium App.
Scotland: Tickets are issued through the Scottish Rugby Ticketing App and scanned at turnstiles on matchday.
Ireland, Wales, France, and Italy: Tickets are available through each union’s official website. Early booking is recommended for high-profile fixtures, particularly England’s matches and the Round 5 France v England encounter in Bordeaux.
Given the record attendances of recent seasons and the increased use of major national stadiums, fans are advised to purchase tickets as early as possible to secure their preferred seats.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 Women’s Six Nations start?
The tournament begins on Saturday 11 April 2026, with France v Italy kicking off at 12:25 BST in Grenoble, followed by England v Ireland and Wales v Scotland.
Where is the 2026 Women’s Six Nations being held?
Matches are played across all six nations at venues including Allianz Stadium (London), Murrayfield (Edinburgh), Principality Stadium (Cardiff), the Aviva Stadium (Dublin), Stade Atlantique (Bordeaux), and Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (Parma).
How can I watch the Women’s Six Nations?
In the UK, all matches are live on BBC and BBC iPlayer. In the US, Peacock streams every fixture. Free-to-air coverage is also available on RTÉ and Virgin Media (Ireland), France TV (France), and Sky (Italy).
Who won the 2025 Women’s Six Nations?
England won the 2025 championship with a Grand Slam, their seventh consecutive title. They clinched the crown with a thrilling 43-42 victory over France in the final round at Allianz Stadium.