You can watch the Six Nations in the UK for free: every match of the men’s Championship is shown live on BBC or ITV under a deal that runs from 2026 to 2029. ITV has ten matches a season, including every England game, and the BBC shows the rest, including matches involving Scotland and Wales. The BBC also shows the Women’s Six Nations live.
Here is how the coverage is split, how to stream it and the one cost you do need to think about: the TV licence.
How Six Nations coverage is split
In March 2025, the BBC and ITV agreed a four-year deal to keep the men’s Six Nations free-to-air from 2026 until 2029.
| Broadcaster | What it shows | Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| ITV (STV in much of Scotland) | 10 live men’s matches a season, including every England match | ITVX (STV Player in STV areas) |
| BBC | Live men’s matches, including five involving Scotland and Wales each year, plus TV highlights | BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website |
| BBC | Women’s Six Nations and Under-20 Six Nations, live | BBC iPlayer |
The 2027 Championship runs in February and March. Fixture times and which channel shows each match are published on the Six Nations and broadcaster websites ahead of the tournament.
What a Six Nations weekend looks like
The Championship is played over five rounds, with each team playing the other five once, home or away. There are three matches per round, usually spread across Saturday and Sunday, with an occasional Friday night fixture. Rest weekends break the tournament into blocks, so the whole event takes around six to seven weeks from the opening match to the final weekend.
That spread is helpful for viewers. With BBC and ITV sharing the matches, you will often switch channel between games on the same day, so it pays to have both apps installed and signed in before the first weekend. Both broadcasters also offer catch-up, so you can watch a match you missed later the same evening.
Do you need a TV licence?
Yes, in most cases. In the UK you need a TV licence to watch or record any programme as it is being shown live, on any channel and any device, and to use BBC iPlayer at all. That covers live Six Nations matches on ITVX as well as the BBC. The licence costs £180 a year from 1 April 2026.
If you are not licensed, you cannot legally watch the matches live, even though there is no subscription fee. The rules are slightly different for catch-up: watching an ITV match on demand on ITVX after it has been broadcast does not need a licence, but using BBC iPlayer always does, whether live or on demand.
How to stream the Six Nations
- Install BBC iPlayer and ITVX (or STV Player) on your smart TV, streaming stick, console, phone or laptop.
- Create free accounts on both. BBC iPlayer will ask you to confirm you have a TV licence.
- Check the broadcaster for each match. England games are always on ITV, while BBC matches include those involving Scotland and Wales.
- Test your connection before kick-off. A wired connection or strong Wi-Fi helps, and our explainer on why streams buffer covers common fixes.
If you are choosing hardware, our list of the best streaming devices includes options that run both apps well. Freeview, Freesat and every major pay-TV platform also carry BBC One and ITV1, so a normal aerial or satellite setup works too.
Welsh-language and radio coverage
S4C has traditionally offered Welsh-language coverage of Wales matches, so check its schedule if you would rather watch in Welsh. On the radio, BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC’s national and local stations provide live commentary, which is handy if you are travelling on a match day.
Beyond the Six Nations
International rugby is unusually free-to-air in the UK. ITV also has a separate agreement covering the new Nations Championship in 2026 and 2028 and other men’s internationals until 2029. Club rugby, by contrast, is mainly on pay TV, so check listings for the Premiership and European competitions.
Avoid paid “rugby streams”
Because every Six Nations match is free on BBC or ITV, there is no reason to pay for unofficial streams or rugby-specific IPTV playlists. They are unlicensed, often lower quality, and a known route for scams. Our guide on subscribing to IPTV safely explains the warning signs. For other free services, see our round-up of free live TV streaming apps.
If you also want a broader set of international channels, our IPTV Journal plan is $89 for 12 months, but for the Six Nations the official BBC and ITV coverage is all you need.
Which option should you choose?
- England fans: ITV1 or ITVX for every England match.
- Scotland and Wales fans: BBC One and iPlayer for many of your team’s matches, plus ITV or STV for the rest.
- Women’s Six Nations: BBC TV and iPlayer.
- On the move: BBC radio commentary.
FAQ
Is the Six Nations free to watch in the UK?
Yes. Every men’s Six Nations match is live on BBC or ITV, with no subscription. You do need a TV licence to watch live TV and to use BBC iPlayer.
Which channel shows England in the Six Nations?
ITV shows every England match live under the 2026 to 2029 deal. You can watch on ITV1 or stream on ITVX, and on STV in much of Scotland.
Where can I watch the Women’s Six Nations?
The BBC shows the Women’s Six Nations live on TV and BBC iPlayer, along with the Under-20 Six Nations.
How long are the Six Nations on free-to-air TV?
The current BBC and ITV agreement keeps the men’s Six Nations free-to-air from 2026 until 2029.
Do I need a TV licence to watch the Six Nations on ITVX?
Yes, if you watch live. A TV licence is needed to watch any programme as it is broadcast, on any channel or app, including ITVX. It costs £180 a year from 1 April 2026.
Author
Get IPTV Journal: 12 months for $89
20,000+ live channels, sports, PPV, movies and series on every device.
