Six Nations to go 'Super' with new format in 2026
SPOTLIGHT: The Women’s Six Nations returns in 2026 with a new format to give fans an extra reason to support the biggest annual event in international women’s rugby.
The action gets underway on April 11, 2026, before five rounds of fixtures offer fans five days of back-to-back clashes in the form of four ‘Super Saturday’ formats, and the decisive Round Five set of fixtures moving to become a ‘Super Sunday’ on May 17.
Following World Cup 2025 in England later this year, and with interest for the women’s game anticipated to be at an all-time high, the opportunity in front of women’s rugby is huge, and as the biggest annual event in the women’s rugby calendar, the Women’s Six Nations is in pole position to drive momentum.
#WRAP! @WomenBoks move closer to being crowned @RugbyAfrique champs #rugby #news #sports https://t.co/LeYdUfVd7x pic.twitter.com/DnpTMQQNPX
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) June 11, 2025
To fuel this, fixtures have already been confirmed to be hosted at certain national stadiums; Twickenham Stadium will be the stage for England v Ireland in Round One, and a return to the scene of the World Cup Final.
Scotland will take their Round Two clash against the Red Roses to Murrayfield, looking to break the 18,900-attendance record for a women’s sporting event in Scotland.
2026 will see the introduction of the new global rugby calendar, that has been shaped by the players, leagues, tournaments, unions, and teams, to align the international and domestic game. This means the players have certainty when it comes to playing opportunities, and fans have clarity on when and where they can enjoy seeing the best players in the game.
The Women’s Six Nations has had its own standalone window in the international rugby calendar since 2021 to give the Championship a dedicated moment to shine. As part of the new calendar being introduced in 2026, the Women’s Six Nations will change from starting one week after the conclusion of the Men’s Six Nations to start three weeks later, further enhancing its ability to occupy its own space in the sporting landscape and engage the broadest possible audience.
The winner of each edition of the Six Nations often comes down to a dramatic conclusion in Round Five, and in 2026, the action will move to become a ‘Super Sunday’ occasion.
The Six Nations Unions, Federations and broadcasters identified the opportunity to engage the best possible audience in stadia and at home and worked together to offer three back-to-back fixtures on Sunday, May 17, in what is sure to be a blockbuster finale to next year’s Championship.
