Vicky Parry
4th Feb 2026
Reading Time: 3 minutes
The Guinness Six Nations Championship is rugby’s most electrifying annual tournament — and one of the hardest to attend without breaking the bank. With passionate fans flocking from around Europe, tickets, flights and hotels can soar in price. But with a bit of planning, savvy researching and flexible travel, you can enjoy the action — often for much less than you think. Here’s how.
🎟️ How to Get Cheap Six Nations Tickets
1. Buy Early — It Really Pays Off
Tickets for the Six Nations go on sale months before the first kick‑off. Official ticket sales are usually released in December, with limited early allocations also available through unions or fans’ clubs. Signing up to official mailing lists gives you first alerts — and your best chance of grabbing face‑value seats. (Six Nations Rugby)
2. Prioritise Cheaper Fixtures
Not all matches cost the same. Some fixtures — especially Italy home games — often start from the lowest entry prices(around £25‑£35). Examples for 2026 include: (SeatPick)
- Italy vs Scotland (Rome) — from ~£28
- Wales vs France (Cardiff) — from ~£28
- France vs Ireland (Paris) — from ~£29
- Italy vs England (Rome) — from ~£35
Compare that with high‑demand games — like Ireland home fixtures or England v Ireland — where even resale seats can start at £200+.
3. Use Resale Aggregators
Platforms like SeatPick gather tickets from multiple reputable resellers, helping you compare prices quickly and avoid overpriced rip‑offs. Look for filters that let you sort by lowest price first.
⚠️ Beware of scams. Fake tickets proliferate around high‑demand events. Always stick to official union sites or trusted resale platforms backed by guarantees.
🗓️ When to Buy and How to Boost Your Chances
- Union membership and mailing lists: Many national unions offer early or priority access if you join their membership tiers — sometimes for a small fee — which increases your chance of early tickets.
- Away matches can be cheaper: Purchasing tickets in host cities like Rome or Cardiff is often cheaper than big home stadiums like Twickenham or Aviva Stadium.
🏨 Where to Stay — Budget Tips by City
Across Europe, hotels and rentals inflate prices during Six Nations match weekends — so plan ahead and be flexible with location.
🇮🇹 Rome
- Budget average: ~£80‑£120 per night around match weekends.
- Budget stays: Affordable guesthouses and hostels can be found around Termini station or near Trastevere.
- Tip: Book early — Rome often offers the lowest hotel prices among host cities.
🇫🇷 Paris
- Budget average: ~£110‑£130 per night near match weekends.
- Budget stays: Consider Montmartre, Latin Quarter hostels or B&Bs; they’re usually cheaper than central Arrondissement hotels.
- Pro tip: Paris has higher overall availability than Rome, so you might secure cheaper digs if you book well in advance.
🏴 Cardiff
- Variable pricing: Matches at the Principality Stadium see hotel prices surge.
- Budget stays: University halls or nearby hostels can be good cheap options on non‑match nights.
- Local tip: Staying slightly outside the centre — e.g. Pontcanna or Roath — often yields lower nightly rates.
🏴 Edinburgh & 🍀 Dublin
- Edinburgh: Big events in the city push availability down; book as early as possible.
- Dublin: While vibrant and well‑connected, price spikes are common for stadium weekends.
✈️ Travel & Other Costs — A Realistic Budget
Here’s a sample all‑in budget for a weekend Six Nations trip from the UK (prices indicative):
| Item | Low Budget | Mid Budget | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match ticket | £25‑£60 | £60‑£120 | £120+ |
| Hotel (2‑3 nights) | £160‑£250 | £250‑£450 | £450+ |
| Flight / Train | £60‑£170 | £170‑£300 | £300+ |
| Food & drink | £50‑£100 | £100‑£150 | £150+ |
| Total per person | ~£350‑£550 | ~£600‑£900 | £900+ |
Tips to cut costs further:
- Travel by rail with advance tickets or railcards for up to 30% off.
- Book flights and hotels early (6‑10 months out) to lock in the best prices.
- Consider travel packages that bundle tickets + hotel + sometimes flights — these can be cheaper than booking separately, especially for Italy matches.
📌 Final Takeaway
Attending a Six Nations match doesn’t need to blow your budget — but it does take foresight. By planning early, choosing less in‑demand fixtures, comparing resellers and being smart about where you stay, you can turn what seems like an expensive bucket‑list trip into a memorable and affordable rugby weekend.