The Six Nations Championship is the premier international rugby union tournament in the Northern Hemisphere, featuring six of Europe’s most historic rugby nations: England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, and Italy. First contested in 1883 (originally as the Home Nations Championship), it is one of the oldest international rugby competitions in the world and remains a cornerstone of the global rugby calendar.
Played annually between February and March, the tournament follows a round-robin format, with each team playing five matches. The competition combines elite-level rugby with deep-rooted national rivalries, producing some of the most intense and widely watched fixtures in international sport. For players, winning the Six Nations is one of the highest honours available outside of the Rugby World Cup.
The Championship is renowned for its physicality, tactical variety, and passionate crowds, making it a must-watch event for rugby fans worldwide.
The Six Nations matters because it represents the highest standard of annual international rugby outside of global tournaments. Unlike club competitions, it brings together the very best players from each nation, competing for national pride rather than contracts or league positions.
The tournament matters because it:
Winning the Six Nations — particularly with a Grand Slam (five wins from five matches) — is regarded as one of the greatest achievements in rugby union. Even mid-table finishes are scrutinised heavily by fans and media, underlining the competition’s intensity.
London plays a central role in the Six Nations through England’s home fixtures at Twickenham Stadium, the largest dedicated rugby venue in the world. Each year, Twickenham hosts two or three Six Nations matches, drawing capacity crowds and global television audiences.
Six Nations matchdays in London are among the city’s biggest annual sporting events. The surrounding areas become packed with supporters hours before kick-off, creating a festival atmosphere that extends well beyond the stadium itself.
Because England fixtures often have title implications, London regularly hosts decisive matches that shape the final standings of the Championship.
Six Nations tickets are among the most in-demand tickets in world rugby, particularly for matches hosted in London.
Ticket demand trends include:
England home matches at Twickenham frequently sell out months in advance, especially for fixtures against traditional rivals such as Wales, Ireland, and France. For many fans, attending a Six Nations match is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Six Nations is broadcast to hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide, making it one of the most-watched annual rugby tournaments globally. Coverage includes live matches, extended analysis, and daily media discussion throughout the competition window.
Culturally, the Six Nations represents:
In the UK, Six Nations weekends dominate sports media coverage and often define the winter sporting calendar.