RTÉ and Virgin Media Television have confirmed a wide-ranging free-to-air broadcast partnership for the Six Nations Championship in 2026, ensuring every match from the Men’s, Women’s, and Under-20 competitions will be available live to Irish audiences.
The joint agreement guarantees wall-to-wall coverage across television, radio and digital platforms, with live matches, analysis, pitch-side insight and highlights available throughout the spring. All fixtures across the three competitions will be shown live and free-to-air, reinforcing the central role of terrestrial broadcasters in Irish rugby coverage, at least at the international level.
The Men’s Championship gets underway on Thursday, 5 February, with a rare Thursday-night opener as Ireland face France in Paris at 7 pm. The match will be shown live on Virgin Media One and Virgin Media PLAY, with radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
A packed opening weekend follows, with Saturday 7 February featuring back-to-back coverage. Virgin Media One and Virgin Media PLAY will show Italy v Scotland, before RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player take over with England v Wales later that evening.
Under-20 interest begins on Friday, 6 February, with Ireland’s campaign starting against France on Saturday, 7 February at 8 pm, live on RTÉ Player.
The Guinness Men’s Six Nations concludes on Saturday, 14 March, with Ireland v Scotland live at 2.10 pm on Virgin Media One, Virgin Media PLAY and RTÉ Radio 1. RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player will then show Wales v Italy at 4.40 pm and France v England at 8.10 pm.
Attention then turns quickly to the Women’s Six Nations, which begins on Saturday, 11 April.
RTÉ Player will stream France v Italy at 12.25 pm, followed by Ireland v England live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ Radio 1 at 2.25 pm. Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media PLAY will complete the day’s coverage with Wales v Scotland at 4.40 pm.
RTÉ’s television presentation will be led by Jacqui Hurley, supported by a panel including Jamie Heaslip, Simon Zebo, Stephen Ferris, Fiona Coghlan, Jim Hamilton, Bernard Jackman and Donal Lenihan.
Coverage will span RTÉ2, RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ Player, alongside digital reporting on RTÉ.ie/Sport and @RTErugby. Against The Head returns on Monday nights, complemented by weekly analysis on The RTÉ Rugby Podcast. RTÉ News will also provide rolling coverage across its platforms.
For the first time, RTÉ will offer Irish-language commentary on the Six Nations, with Garry Mac Donncha and Colm de Buitléar set to call three men’s matches. Irish-language coverage will also extend to the Women’s Six Nations, with further details to follow.
RTÉ Radio 1 retains exclusive radio rights, delivering full live commentary on all Irish men’s and women’s matches, with analysis and reaction from a broad panel of former internationals and pundits.
Virgin Media Television’s coverage will be fronted by Joe Molloy, alongside a refreshed panel including Conor Murray, Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble and Ian Madigan. Commentary duties will be shared by Dave McIntyre and Alan Quinlan, with weekly review shows, highlights programming and coverage across Virgin Media News and the VMTV Rugby Pod.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Declan McBennett, Head of Sport at RTÉ, said the partnership would allow audiences nationwide to follow every twist and turn of the Championship, highlighting the breadth of platforms and voices involved in the coverage.
Brian Gleeson, Head of Sport at Virgin Media Television, pointed to the novelty of a Thursday-night opener and the intensity of a condensed Championship, adding that the continued free-to-air availability of the Six Nations remains central to engaging Irish supporters over the next four years.
Image Credit: Sport for Business
Event Tickets
Upcoming Events
SPORT FOR BUSINESS
Sport for Business is Ireland’s leading platform focused on the commercialstrategic and societal impact of sport. It connects decision-makers across governing bodies, clubs, brands, agencies and public institutions through high-quality journalism, events and insight. Sport for Business explores how sport drives economic value, participation, inclusion and national identity, while holding organisations to account on governance and sustainability.
Through analysis, storytelling and convening the sector, it helps leaders understand trends, share best practice and make better-informed decisions. Its work positions sport not just as entertainment, but as a vital contributor to Ireland’s social and economic fabric.
Find out more about becoming a member today.
Or sign up for our twice-daily bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.
Sign up for our News Bulletins here.
