Six Nations 2024: How to Watch Super Saturday on BBC & ITV Free
Super Saturday in the 2026 Six Nations promises a thrilling conclusion to the championship, and for UK viewers, every moment will be accessible for free. Both the BBC and ITV will broadcast all 15 matches of the tournament, continuing a commitment to open access for rugby fans.
The broadcasting split sees ITV taking the lead with 10 games, while the BBC will air five. This year’s arrangement features a specific focus: ITV will exclusively broadcast all five of England’s matches. Meanwhile, the BBC’s coverage will consistently feature games involving either Scotland or Wales. This pattern extends to home fixtures, with ITV covering Ireland and France’s home games, and the BBC focusing on Scotland and Wales’ home encounters.
For Welsh-speaking audiences, S4C will provide coverage of Wales’ matches, similarly available through BBC Player and S4C Clic streaming services, adding another layer of accessibility.
Super Saturday Schedule: A UK Viewing Guide
Saturday, March 14th, will see three key matches broadcast across the UK:
- Ireland v Scotland – Aviva Stadium, Dublin, 2.10pm GMT – ITV
- Wales v Italy – Principality Stadium, Cardiff, 4.40pm GMT – BBC/S4C
- France v England – Stade de France, Paris, 8.10pm GMT – ITV
How to Watch on the BBC
The BBC will broadcast its five Six Nations games on BBC One or BBC Two. Simultaneously, all games will be available for streaming online via BBC iPlayer. Accessing BBC iPlayer requires a simple registration, but viewers must ensure they have a valid TV Licence.
ITV’s Broadcasting Plan
ITV’s coverage will be spread across ITV1, ITVX, STV, STV Player, and UTV. Live broadcasts of all games will be shown on ITV1 in England and Wales, with STV and UTV serving as the equivalent channels for Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively. ITVX serves as ITV’s online streaming platform, offering live access to all Six Nations games. Like BBC iPlayer, registration is required, but is free of charge.
Watching While Abroad: Utilizing a VPN
Fans located outside the UK may encounter geo-restrictions when attempting to access BBC iPlayer or ITVX. Although, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can circumvent these limitations by masking the user’s IP address and presenting a UK-based location. This allows access to the streaming services as if the user were physically within the UK.
BBC and ITV: A Four-Year Commitment
The continued free-to-air coverage is secured by a new four-year deal between the BBC and ITV, extending through 2029. This agreement ensures that the Men’s Six Nations remains accessible to a broad audience. The BBC will continue to provide live coverage, TV highlights, and digital clips, with a focus on Scotland and Wales’ games. ITV will broadcast 10 games each season, including every England fixture.
Alex Kay-Jelski, BBC Director of Sport, highlighted the importance of the deal, stating it keeps the sport accessible to as many people as possible. Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the significance of broadcasting all England matches and the tournament’s position as a sporting highlight of the year.
The broadcasting arrangement reflects a strategic approach to maximizing viewership and catering to different fan bases across the UK. The consistent coverage of England by ITV and Scotland/Wales by the BBC provides dedicated viewing options for supporters of each nation. The availability of Welsh language commentary on S4C further enhances accessibility for Welsh-speaking fans.
As the 2026 Six Nations reaches its climax on Super Saturday, fans in the UK have multiple avenues to enjoy the action, thanks to the continued partnership between the BBC and ITV.