IRFU clarifies no plans to move Six Nations matches to United States
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 11, 2026, 9:47 AM
Last updated Sep 11, 2026

The Irish Rugby Football Union has stated there are currently no plans or discussions to move any Six Nations fixtures to the United States. The statement follows comments from World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin, who suggested that playing Six Nations games in cities like New York or Boston could help grow the sport’s presence in the region. Gilpin cited a potential Ireland against Italy matchup as an example of a game that could resonate with expatriate fanbases in America. However, the IRFU emphasized that the tournament maintains a special place for supporters within the participating nations. The union stated that the opportunity for fans in Ireland and Italy to attend home matches remains a central part of the competition's identity. Ireland has previously played matches in the United States, including encounters against New Zealand, but the governing body maintains that the Six Nations format will remain in Europe.
- •The IRFU has no ongoing plans to host Six Nations games in the United States.
- •World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin proposed the US as a potential market for matches.
- •The IRFU prioritizes keeping competition matches in the participating countries for local supporters.
- •Ireland previously held successful matches against New Zealand in Chicago.
- 1:05 PMYahoo Sports — No plans for Ireland Six Nations game in US - IRFU
- 9:47 AMBBC Sport — No plans for Ireland Six Nations game in US - IRFU
"There are "currently no plans or discussions" relating to Ireland playing a Six Nations match in the United States, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) says.
"There are "currently no plans or discussions" relating to Ireland playing a Six Nations match in the United States, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) says.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 11, 2026, 1:05 PMNo plans for Ireland Six Nations game in US - IRFU
There are "currently no plans or discussions" relating to Ireland playing a Six Nations match in the United States, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) says.
- BBC SportSep 11, 2026, 9:47 AMNo plans for Ireland Six Nations game in US - IRFU
There are "currently no plans or discussions" relating to Ireland playing a Six Nations match in the United States, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) says.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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