Six Nations Championship

Last Updated: 25 march 2026

About the Six Nations Championship

The Six Nations Championship (6NC, Rugby Union, Guinness Six Nations) is an annual international rugby union competition. Moreover, one of the most prestigious rugby tournaments. It brings together six European teams from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. As a result, this tournament not only brings together historic rivalries, but also showcases rugby at the very highest level.

Rugby Union 2027

One of the premier tournaments in European rugby, the Six Nations Championship (6NC), will traditionally take place in early 2027, tentatively in February or March. The exact dates of the matches have not yet been officially announced, but the competition format will remain unchanged.

Six teams will participate in the tournament: France, Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, and Italy. The teams will play each other in a single round-robin format, with five matches each, for a total of 15 matches. As before, the games will be held in stadiums across six countries, from London and Paris to Rome and Cardiff.

Tournament favorites are traditionally based on the results of previous seasons. France and Ireland have been particularly consistent in recent years, while England regularly remains among the title contenders. Scotland is capable of challenging the leaders, while Wales and Italy are more often seen as teams capable of influencing the final table, but not as the main contenders.

The final round, “Super Saturday,” will traditionally conclude the tournament in March 2027, when three matches will be held in one day to determine the champion.

History of the championship

The first major rugby competition took place in 1883. The competition was held between the 4 national teams of the United Kingdom – England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. For two years the English team were excluded from the championship. This was due to their refusal to join the International Rugby Union. As a result, they did not take part in the competition in 1888 and 1889.

Since 1910, the championship has been played between 5 national teams – the French team joined.

In 2000, the Italian team joined the competition and it became known as the Six Nations Tournament.

Traditionally, the Rugby Cup starts on the 1st weekend in February and ends on the 2nd or 3rd Saturday in March. Teams play each other once. A total of 15 matches are played. The team that finishes last, or loses all its matches, is awarded a figurative honour – a wooden spoon. Throughout the history of the tournament, the Italian team has won enough points to be awarded this honour 15 times.

Characteristics and uniqueness of the competition

The Cup’s uniqueness lies in its historical significance, the high standard of play and the special atmosphere. In terms of the trophy, it is the pride and heritage of European rugby.

6NC history’s biggest bet

One of the biggest bets was placed in 2019. A punter backed Wales to win at odds of 3.5. He won a substantial sum after their triumph. This incident highlights the interest in the tournament among sports betting enthusiasts.

Championship results over the last 3 years

2028 Guinness Six Nations

The 6NC remains the beating heart of European rugby. In fact, it brings together the best teams and the best fans from all over the world. Both its history and the modern level of play make it a tournament to watch. It maintains its status as one of the most anticipated events in the world of sport. The 2028 competition is expected to be full of outstanding performances from Europe’s best players. The fixture list for the next championship will be announced at a later date.

Official website of Championship

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