Rugby Union Bosses Ponder “Super Saturday” Scheduling Shake-Up
Organizers of the prestigious Six Nations Championship are exploring a radical schedule change that would see all matches staggered across a single “Super Saturday” every weekend of the men’s tournament.
Currently, the Six Nations format features two games on Saturdays, with one match either on Sunday or, occasionally, Friday night. However, discussions are underway to scrap Sunday fixtures entirely, allowing administrators to showcase each clash on Saturdays.
The proposed shift is driven by viewership data, which revealed the seven most-watched games in the 2024 Championship all took place on Saturdays. In contrast, the three lowest-rated matches – Wales vs. France, Ireland vs. Italy, and France vs. Italy – were held on Sundays.
“A move to have more matches on Saturdays would be welcomed by both broadcasters and fans,” said a senior tournament official.
Friday night fixtures, introduced in 2009, have also proven popular, as evidenced by the opening round of the 2025 Championship, where France will host Wales in the tournament opener.
Despite the logistical challenges, rugby union administrators are confident the proposed “Super Saturday” format will enhance the viewing experience and cater to the preferences of devoted Six Nations supporters.
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