Six Nations Shake-Up: All Matches to Shift to Saturdays

Six Nations officials are exploring a significant scheduling change that would implement a “Super Saturday” format for every weekend of the men’s Championship. Currently, two matches typically occur on Saturdays, with one match scheduled for either Sunday or occasionally Friday night. The proposal aims to eliminate Sunday fixtures, ensuring all three matches spread across Saturdays throughout the tournament.

Administrators believe that increasing the number of Saturday matches would receive favorable feedback from broadcasters and fans. Recent viewership data from the 2024 Championship supports this belief, showing that the seven most-watched games all took place on Saturdays. In contrast, matches played on Sundays received the lowest television audiences, highlighting a preference for Saturday fixtures.

The tournament introduced Friday night games in 2009, beginning with Wales hosting France in Cardiff. The 2024 Championship also commenced on a Friday evening with a match between France and Ireland in Marseille. Logistical considerations have restricted Friday fixtures to Wales and France only.

Looking ahead, France will host Wales in the opening game of the 2025 tournament on Friday, January 31st. Sunday afternoon matches have generally been unpopular among traveling supporters, further endorsing the consolidation of matches on Saturdays.

Discussions regarding scheduling changes within the Six Nations have centered solely on the men’s Championship, with a proposed shift to a full “Super Saturday” format. Meanwhile, the women’s tournament is independently scheduled for March and April, featuring its own broadcast arrangements distinct from those of the men’s competition.