With the 2024 Six Nations fast approaching, it’s time to take a closer look at where the action will take place.
This year, the Six Nations stadiums are different to usual: France will play their home fixtures at three alternative venues because the Stade de France is being prepared for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
From the United Kingdom to France and Italy, we’ve taken a closer look at each of the Six Nations venues. Here’s a full rundown on the eight stadiums that will host matches during the 2024 tournament.
England: Twickenham Stadium, London
Capacity: 82,000
Often referred to as ‘the home of rugby’, Twickenham was founded back in 1907. This was the year that William Williams, a member of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), helped to secure the 10.25 hectare plot that houses the modern stadium. The first stands were constructed in 1908 and the stadium has been redeveloped multiple times throughout its history.
The most recent expansion occurred in 2006, when works were completed to boost the capacity from 75,000 to 82,000. Today, Twickenham, which is affectionately known as ‘HQ’ by England fans, plays home to all of England’s Six Nations matches.
Six Nations matches at Twickenham in 2024 include:
- England v Wales, Saturday 10 February
- England v Ireland, Saturday 9 March
France: Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Capacity: 67,394
Also known as the Orange Vélodrome for sponsorship purposes, the Stade Vélodrome is one of three French venues that will host the 2024 Six Nations. The largest club football stadium in France, this multi-purpose venue first opened its doors in 1937. As the name suggests, the Vélodrome was originally used for cycling competitions, but the track was removed in 1985.
Since then, the Stade Vélodrome has been thoroughly modernised. As a result, it has hosted a range of world-class rugby matches. This includes Top 14 matches, the European Rugby Champions Cup football and matches at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Outside of rugby, the stadium has hosted FIFA World Cup games and UEFA Cup semi-finals.
Six Nations Stade Vélodrome matches:
- France v Ireland, Friday 2 February
France: Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon
Capacity: 59,186
Also known as the Groupama Stadium for sponsorship reasons, the Parc Olympique Lyonnais is situated in Décines-Charpieu, Lyon. The stomping ground of Olympique Lyonnais and the France national football team, this stadium is no stranger to international competition.
Parc Olympique Lyonnais has been in use since 2016. Although it is predominantly used for football matches, five Rugby World Cup fixtures were held here in 2023. Later this year, the venue will also host football at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Six Nations Parc Olympique Lyonnais matches:
- France v England, Saturday 16 March
France: Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille
Capacity: 50,186
The Stade Pierre-Mauroy, also known as the Decathlon Arena, was originally named the Grand Stade Lille Métropole. Located in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, the venue was renamed in honour of Pierre Mauroy, the former Mayor of Lille and Prime Minister of France.
This stadium is home to Lille OSC. It was built to provide a new home for the team who, from 2001, did not have a stadium that met UEFA standards. After delays, work finally commenced in 2009. Three years later, the Stade Pierre-Mauroy opened its doors.
Six Nations Stade Pierre-Mauroy matches:
- France v Italy, Sunday 25 February
Ireland: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Capacity: 51,711
Sitting on the site of the former Lansdowne Road Stadium, the Aviva Stadium is often referred to as Lansdowne Road by fans. The former venue can be traced back to 1872, when the Lansdowne Football Club was founded. It was demolished in 2007 and the new stadium was opened three years later in 2010. Today, it’s the home of both the Ireland national rugby union team and Leinster Rugby.
Six Nations Aviva Stadium matches in 2024 include:
- Ireland v Italy, Sunday 11 February
- Ireland v Wales, Saturday 24 February
- Ireland v Scotland, Saturday 16 March
Italy: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Capacity: 70.634
The Stadio Olimpico is the largest sports venue in Rome and the second-largest in Italy. Today, it boasts a capacity of just over 70,000. However it has previously been used for crowds of up to 100,000. For this reason, it has also been known as the ‘Stadio dei Centomila’ (stadium of the 100,000).
Built in 1928, the stadium has been thoroughly renovated over the last century. This includes in 1990, when the venue was renewed for the FIFA World Cup. Across its history, the Stadio Olimpico has also hosted everything from Olympic events and UEFA Champions League finals to the European Athletic Championships and the Six Nations.
Six Nations Stadio Olimpico matches:
- Italy v England, Saturday 3 February
- Italy v Scotland, Saturday 9 March
Scotland: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Capacity: 67,144
The largest stadium in Scotland, Murrayfield was built during the 1920s. Opened in 1925, the venue has been utilised for sporting events and during times of conflict. This includes World War II, when the site served as a supply depot for the Royal Army.
Murrayfield has long housed the Scotland national rugby union team. The team plays all of their home tests here, including their Six Nations fixtures. In fact, it was during a Five Nations match on 1 March 1975 that the stadium reached its peak capacity – 104,000 fans filled the venue to watch Scotland overpower Wales (this was a rugby union world record attendance until 1999).
Six Nations Murrayfield Stadium matches:
- Scotland v France, Saturday 10 February
- Scotland v England, Saturday 24 February
Wales: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Capacity: 73,931
Also known as the Millennium Stadium, the Principality Stadium was built for the 1999 Rugby World Cup. It’s now the largest sports venue in the country – it usurped Cardiff Arms Parks to become the national stadium of Wales.
The Millennium Stadium is home to the Wales national rugby union team. It also housed the Wales national football team from 2000 to 2009. As a multi-use venue, the stadium has hosted a wide range of sporting events, including FA Cup fixtures, boxing matches and motorsports.
Six Nations Principality Stadium matches:
- Wales v Scotland, Saturday 3 February
- Wales v France, Sunday 10 March
- Wales v Italy, Saturday 16 March
