Ireland is set to begin its 2026 Six Nations Rugby Championship

Ireland is set to begin its 2026 Six Nations Rugby Championship with an unprecedented Thursday night fixture against France.

The match is scheduled for February 5th at 8:10pm and is designed to prevent a conflict with the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics, which will be held in Milan. This marks the first time in the tournament's history that a game will be played outside of the traditional Friday, Saturday, and Sunday time slots. The decision is awaiting final confirmation, but it is likely that the venue for the game will be the Stade de France. This early start to the weekend of rugby presents a unique challenge for Irish fans planning to attend the match, as it requires additional travel days and adjustments to their schedules.