This is a minor upset for rugby fans and supporters of the Six Nations Tournament. France Télévisions has announced that it will sublicense nine matches of the competition to TF1 and its digital platform. This exceptional decision is directly linked to significant financial constraints facing the public broadcaster this year, despite its exclusive rights to the tournament until 2029.
TF1 strengthens its sports offering
For TF1, this agreement represents an opportunity to consolidate its presence in rugby, alongside its football programs and other major sporting events. The channel will be able to broadcast away matches of the French national team.
Despite this partial sale, France Télévisions retains the rights to the most iconic matches, particularly those played at home by the French national team. The decision to resell certain matches has been described as strictly exceptional and motivated by financial imperatives.
See you from February 5th
As a reminder, 2026 Six Nations Tournament is scheduled from February 5 to March 14, with 15 matches spread over five days between France, Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and Italy.
The competition will open Thursday, February 5, 2026 by a poster between the France and IrelandThe tournament, played in the evening, was an unusual scheduling choice to avoid clashing with the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. The tournament will then continue over the following weekends with matches on... February 7, 14 and 15, 21 and 22then will conclude the Saturday, March 14, often nicknamed "Super Saturday" with several decisive matches including France - England for the closing of the competition.
