Fans Upset by 2025 Six Nations Kick-Off Time, it's not great for fans
Yesterday at 05:25 PM
The 2025 Six Nations is already causing a stir among rugby fans—and it hasn't even started yet! The tournament kicks off on Friday, 31 January, with France hosting Wales in Paris at 9:15 pm local time. The late start time has ruffled feathers, and fans aren't holding back.
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“Terrible for Welsh Rugby”
One disgruntled fan vented their frustration, saying: "Rugby is already declining in Wales and now children won't be able to watch their first game. Bad idea."
“Logistical Nightmare”
Another supporter highlighted the travel chaos, stating: "Getting to the Stade de France at the best of times is hard. Getting back after a 9:15 kick-off time will be a nightmare."
“Who’s Bright Idea Was This?”
In true rugby fashion, another fan didn't mince their words, asking: "Who's fing s idea was this?"
England, Scotland, and Italy to Play Next Day
The action continues the following day as England take to the field and Scotland face off against Italy at Murrayfield, according to tournament organisers.
Who's Showing the Games?
Once again, BBC and ITV will share coverage in the UK, with S4C providing Welsh language options. French fans can tune in on France Télévision, while RTE and Virgin Media will bring the matches to viewers in Ireland. Italy's Sky Italia will maintain its coverage for the Italian audience, with the World Feed service ensuring international fans don't miss out.
Free-to-Air: Future in Doubt?
The Six Nations is one of the last bastions of free-to-air rugby in the UK, but for how long? Some had speculated that the tournament's status might be reconsidered, but for now, it remains unchanged.
The Current Deal
The current UK broadcasting agreement, running until March 2025, splits rights between BBC and ITV, with S4C covering Welsh-language broadcasts. This setup has kept the Championship available to millions of fans—something that wasn't guaranteed in 2015 when Sky tried to nab the rights, only to be outbid by the joint BBC-ITV effort.
BBC Feeling the Pinch
The BBC's grip on sporting events is under threat due to rising costs. A senior BBC executive recently told MPs: "Sports rights in the UK have more than doubled in the past decade, while BBC's income in real terms has dropped by 30%. It's incredibly difficult for us to meet the demands of governing bodies across multiple sports."
She added: "With the Six Nations, we'll need to assess the affordability at the time. We're likely not going to be the highest bidder, and it'll be up to the governing bodies to balance reach and revenue."
Battle Brewing Over Broadcasting Rights
As the BBC struggles, other broadcasters are eyeing up the Six Nations. ITV may face stiff competition from the likes of TNT Sports, Sky, Netflix, and Prime Video when the rights come up for grabs, setting the stage for a fierce bidding war.
Politics in Play
The question of whether the Six Nations should remain free-to-air is a hot political issue. Earlier this year, the Welsh government asked the UK's Media Minister to grant the tournament A-grade protected status on terrestrial TV, but the request was denied. Despite a government reshuffle, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport confirmed there are "no plans to review the listed events regime."
TNT Sports: A Serious Contender?
TNT Sports, backed by Warner Brothers, is emerging as a real threat in the broadcasting battle. They've already teamed up with the BBC to air FA Cup matches and could propose a similar joint deal for the Six Nations, balancing fan accessibility with commercial interests. Could this be the compromise rugby needs?
2025 Six Nations fixtures confirmed, England handed worst possible start
ROUND 1
- Friday 31 January
- France vs Wales – 8.15pm
- Saturday 1 February
- Scotland vs Italy – 2.15pm
- Ireland vs England – 4.45pm
ROUND 2
- Saturday 8 February
- Italy vs Wales – 2.15pm
- England vs France – 4.45pm
- Sunday 9 February
- Scotland vs Ireland – 3pm
CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO
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