When does the 2027 Six Nations start? Friday, February 5, 2027, 20:10 GMT — Ireland host England at Aviva Stadium; Round 1 continues Saturday; Ireland also close vs France March 13.
Current target date: Friday, February 5, 2027 (Opening match). We update this page when Six nations publishes schedule changes.
Men’s Six Nations 2027 opens Friday, February 5, at 20:10 GMT with Ireland vs England at the Aviva. Fixtures locked March 9, 2026. Ireland also finish the championship vs France on Super Saturday, March 13.
Opening match
Friday, February 5, 2027
February 5, 2027 — Ireland vs England under Friday lights at the Aviva
Men’s Six Nations 2027 begins Friday, February 5, at 20:10 GMT when Ireland host England at Aviva Stadium. Six Nations Rugby locked the full five-round grid on March 9, 2026 — this countdown is that Dublin opener, not Saturday’s other Round 1 kickoffs.
The championship then runs through Super Saturday on March 13, when Ireland face France to close the tournament in the same stadium.
Confirmed: Fri Feb 5 Ireland–England 20:10 — not Sat-only open, not Women’s 6N, not RWC Perth
Confirmed: Friday, February 5, 2027, 20:10 GMT; Ireland v England; Aviva Stadium; Round 1 also Scotland–Italy and France–Wales on February 6; Ireland also finish vs France March 13; first Edinburgh Friday night Scotland–Ireland March 5; England–France (Le Crunch) Sunday February 14; only one rest week after Round 3. Not confirmed: final table or Grand Slam memes. Fake “opens Saturday February 6 only” or “World Cup warm-up in Dublin” stubs invent a corridor the published fixtures already closed.
From Aviva Friday night to Super Saturday — one rest week in the middle
- Feb 5 20:10 — Opening: Ireland v England, Aviva (this countdown).
- Feb 6 — Scotland–Italy; France–Wales (Round 1 continues).
- Feb 14 — England v France at Twickenham (Valentine’s Le Crunch).
- Mar 5 20:10 — First Murrayfield Friday night: Scotland v Ireland.
- Mar 13 — Super Saturday; Ireland v France closes the championship.
How to book Round 1 without mixing codes and calendars
- Buy the Friday Dublin ticket for Ireland–England — Saturday is a different set of gates.
- Convert 20:10 GMT for US / Asia watch parties; it is not a 3 p.m. kick.
- Do not confuse with Women’s Six Nations or RWC 2027 (Australia, October).
- Note the compressed rest: only one bye week after Round 3.
- If you want the closer, that’s March 13 Ireland–France — separate Super Saturday SKU.
Ireland open the championship on February 5 and close it on March 13 — same Aviva, same 20:10 kick
Most Six Nations seasons scatter the host’s big nights. In 2027 Ireland bookend the whole thing: England under Friday lights to start, France under Friday lights on Super Saturday to finish — both at 20:10 GMT in Dublin.
That sandwich, plus the first ever Friday night Test at Murrayfield (Scotland–Ireland, March 5), is why “early February sometime” copy fails. The opener is a dated Friday night, and the calendar already tells you who owns the last whistle too.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about this release date.
1When does the 2027 Six Nations start?
Friday, February 5, 2027, at 20:10 GMT — Ireland host England at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Round 1 continues Saturday with Scotland–Italy and France–Wales.
2Is February 6 the opening day?
No. Saturday, February 6, is the rest of Round 1. The championship opens the night before under the lights in Dublin.
3When does the 2027 Six Nations finish?
Super Saturday, March 13, 2027 — capped by Ireland vs France at 20:10 GMT at the Aviva. Ireland therefore open and close the tournament.
4Is this the Women’s Six Nations or the World Cup?
Neither. This countdown is the men’s Guinness Six Nations. Women’s Six Nations is a separate calendar; Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 opens in Australia in October.
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