The 2026 Guinness Six Nations condenses five rounds into five weeks, introduces a historic Thursday night opener in Paris, and standardises kick-off windows across weekends. For hospitality buyers, this creates clear, premium hosting opportunities at every venue—especially around the midweek and Friday fixtures—while compressing lead times and increasing demand. Here is a calm, practical guide to selecting the best hospitality package for each stadium, planning multi-venue itineraries, and timing your bookings with confidence.

Key facts at a glance

• Dates: 5 February – 14 March 2026
• Format: Five rounds in five weeks with one rest week after Round 3
• Opening match: France v Ireland on Thursday 5 February, Stade de France (evening)
• Other weeknight fixtures: Friday night game in Round 4 (Ireland host Wales)
• Kick-off windows: 2:10pm, 4:40pm and 8:10pm on Saturdays; 3:10pm on Sundays (local time)
• Round 1 venues: Paris, Rome, London
• Round 2 highlights: Dublin (Ireland v Italy), Edinburgh (Scotland v England), Cardiff (Wales v France)
• Final round: Saturday 14 March 2026
• Broadcast (UK): Free-to-air via BBC and ITV
• Core venues: Stade de France (Paris), Twickenham Stadium (London), Aviva Stadium (Dublin), Murrayfield Stadium (Edinburgh), Principality Stadium (Cardiff), Stadio Olimpico (Rome)

What the new 2026 schedule means for hospitality buyers

A compressed calendar concentrates demand. With fewer gaps between rounds and a single rest week, premium inventory will move quickly—especially for the Thursday opener and the Friday-night Round 4 fixture. The standardised kick-off windows make it easier to plan pre-match dining and post-match receptions, while the midweek start in Paris is ideal for corporate entertaining that doesn’t monopolise a weekend.

France arrive as defending champions, further elevating interest in Paris, while traditional rivalry fixtures—England v Wales at Twickenham, Scotland v England at Murrayfield, and Wales v France in Cardiff—will attract early bookings. To navigate this confidently, consider locking your priority match first, then build any multi-venue plans around confirmed timings and travel.

Venue-by-venue hospitality insight and how to choose

Stade de France, Paris

The Thursday night opener (France v Ireland) sets the tone for 2026 and is likely to be one of the hottest tickets. Paris offers excellent pre-match dining and late-evening hospitality, well-suited to client hosting that wraps up before the weekend.

• Best for: Launch events, executive hosting, European client meetings tied to a marquee fixture
• Typical options: Premium lounge dining with Category 1 seats; private suites for small groups; curated French cuisine with sommelier-paired wines
• Seat selection tip: Mid-tier central blocks balance sightlines and atmosphere; consider hospitality with private access routes to avoid post-match congestion
• Logistics: Saint-Denis transport is efficient; allow time for evening traffic and security checks

Twickenham Stadium, London

England v Wales in Round 1 is a blue-chip fixture, combining top-tier rugby with Twickenham’s broad range of hospitality restaurants and private suites. With standardised afternoon windows, hospitality can be scheduled as a relaxed lunch service followed by premium seats.

• Best for: Flagship client entertainment, large corporate groups, C-suite hosting
• Typical options: Fine-dining hospitality restaurants with halfway-line seating; private boxes for confidential conversations; informal lounges for networking
• Seat selection tip: Lower and middle tiers along the west and east stands offer the clearest, most television-like perspective
• Logistics: Rail to Twickenham or Richmond plus a short walk; build in buffer time for post-match egress

Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Aviva’s modern bowl and hospitality infrastructure make it one of the most enjoyable host venues, with Round 2 (Ireland v Italy) and the Friday-night Round 4 (Ireland v Wales) offering two distinct atmospheres: relaxed weekend hosting versus high-energy evening entertainment.

• Best for: Relationship-building with generous dining windows; lively evening hosting for Round 4
• Typical options: Executive lounges with plated dining, match talks from former internationals, premium padded seating
• Seat selection tip: Middle-tier central for uninterrupted sightlines; corners amplify atmosphere if your guests prefer noise
• Logistics: DART access is convenient; secure early restaurant reservations for post-match continuation on Friday night

Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh

Scotland v England in Round 2 is a perennial highlight. Murrayfield’s hospitality is known for warm service and rugby heritage, often featuring insightful Q&A with legends—excellent for engaging guests beyond the 80 minutes.

• Best for: Guests who value storytelling, analysis, and a strong sense of occasion
• Typical options: Hospitality suites with Scottish produce-led menus; lounge access paired with prime halfway seats
• Seat selection tip: Central, mid-tier blocks protect against winter weather while preserving vantage
• Logistics: Plan ahead for tram and foot traffic; on-site hospitality access helps avoid long queues

Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Cardiff on a Six Nations weekend is electric. With Wales hosting France in Round 2, expect intense demand. The city-centre location means seamless transitions from hospitality to stadium and back to post-match venues.

• Best for: Immersive matchday atmosphere with walkable city-centre hospitality
• Typical options: On-site lounges with live entertainment; private suites for discreet hosting
• Seat selection tip: Lower-tier sidelines for proximity and noise; mid-tier for a broader tactical view
• Logistics: Rail access is strong; early arrival advised due to city-centre footfall

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Rome offers a different rhythm—excellent for incentive trips or client hospitality with cultural time around the match. Round 1’s Rome fixture enhances opening-weekend options for those planning a Europe-wide series.

• Best for: Incentive-led itineraries, relaxed hosting with extended dining and sightseeing
• Typical options: Executive lounges with Italian cuisine; premium seating with convenient access
• Seat selection tip: Central seats in the main stands give the clearest view in an open bowl
• Logistics: Build travel buffers; February weather is usually mild but plan for evening chill

Building a smart multi-venue itinerary

The compressed 2026 schedule rewards early, structured planning. Popular pairings include:

• Paris + London (Round 1): Start with the Thursday night opener in Paris, then host again at Twickenham the same weekend. Ideal for pan-European stakeholders.
• Dublin + Edinburgh (Round 2): Two premium cities with strong hospitality infrastructure and reliable transport links.
• Cardiff + Rome: Combine Cardiff’s intensity with Rome’s relaxed, incentive-friendly feel across different rounds.
• Friday Night Dublin (Round 4): Shape a high-impact evening event that doesn’t consume a full weekend.

If you are comparing inclusions, availability and seating across venues, our team can benchmark options and secure consistent, high-quality experiences match to match. For an overview of curated options, explore our Six Nations hospitality packages.

Practical planning essentials

• Lead times: Weeknight and rivalry fixtures sell earliest; secure allocations before TV windows shift demand further.
• Group size: Private suites typically suit 10–20 guests; hospitality restaurants scale well for larger parties.
• Experience design: Decide between formal plated dining versus informal lounge formats based on guest expectations.
• Accessibility: Confirm step-free routes, lift access and proximity of hospitality to seating when booking.
• Dietary needs: Provide requirements at the point of booking to guarantee suitable menus.
• Travel buffers: Allow for heightened security and winter weather; evening fixtures may require later transfers.
• Compliance: Ensure hospitality aligns with your organisation’s gifting/entertaining policies.

FAQs: Six Nations 2026: Best Hospitality Packages for Every Venue