The Six Nations Championship kicks off this Thursday and is shaping up to be one of the most competitive tournaments in recent memory.

With England, France, and Ireland all entering as genuine title contenders, fine margins could once again decide who lifts the trophy come Super Saturday. France arrive with their trademark flair and physicality, Ireland will be looking to assert their consistency and championship pedigree, while England aim to turn promise into performance under growing expectations. Scotland could play the role of disruptors once more, especially with a pivotal Round 2 Calcutta Cup clash against England at Murrayfield – a fixture that often has a major influence on the title race. At the other end of the table, Wales and Italy may find themselves battling to avoid the Wooden Spoon based on their Autumn Internationals form, though Six Nations rugby has a habit of producing surprises.

For a closer look at how the opening round could unfold, be sure to check out our First Week Preview.

Where can I watch?

If you don’t have a ticket or haven’t already booked a hospitality package with Eventmasters, you can catch all the action live on BBC One and ITV One, which will share broadcast coverage throughout the tournament.

For those attending in person, experiencing the Six Nations at the stadium with Eventmasters hospitality offers a premium matchday experience, combining world-class rugby with exceptional food, drink, and atmosphere right in the heart of the action.

Players to Watch in 2026

(players listed as presented in the picture, from left to right)

Joe Heyes, England – scrum power and consistency; ~17 England caps and ~175 club apps for Leicester Tigers with a Premiership title in 2022.

Leonardo Marin, Italy – playmaking vision from centre; ~18 Italy caps and ~42 Benetton club appearances with 63 points.

Dan Edwards, Wales – calm game management and control; ~7 Wales caps with 39 Test points and 46 appearances for Ospreys scoring ~290 URC points.

Thomas Clarkson, Ireland – technical strength at tighthead; ~11 Ireland caps and ~70 Leinster appearances (also British & Irish Lions call-up).

Louis Rees-Zammit, Wales – elite speed and finishing; ~32 Wales caps with 14 international tries and one of rugby’s quickest players (~10.5 m/s).

Nicolas Depoortère, France – power and direct midfield impact; ~7 France caps and 51 club apps for Bordeaux-Bègles with 85 points.

Henry Arundell, England – explosive pace and broken-field running; 11 caps, 7 tries for England, including 5 in one Rugby World Cup match (fastest recorded top speed ≈ 10.9 m/s).

Jack Dempsey, Scotland – physical carries and breakdown presence; ~29 Scotland caps, nominated for the 2026 Investec Player of the Year for strong club form for Glasgow Warriors.

2026 Six Nations Fixtures

Our Six Nations Predictions

We asked the office and our LinkedIn followers who they thought would win. Here are the results:

Excitement is building rapidly ahead of the start of the 2026 edition of the annual and highly prestigious Six Nations Championship, with the best players in the world compete to win the iconic trophy for their respective nations this year.

There is no better way to watch world-class rugby at the 2026 Six Nations than with an Eventmasters VIP Hospitality Package. Book now to avoid disappointment!

Six Nations Hospitality – 2026