The Six Nations Championship is one of the biggest annual tournaments in world rugby, bringing together Europe’s top international sides for a fast-paced, six-week competition every spring. Whether you’re following your home nation or travelling across borders to catch multiple fixtures, understanding the stadiums, security rules and bag policies can make a huge difference to your matchday experience.
What is the Six Nations?
The Six Nations is contested by England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. Each team plays the other five once, resulting in a total of 15 matches across the tournament. Games are split evenly between home and away fixtures, meaning every country hosts either two or three matches each year.
The tournament will run from the 5th of February until the 14th of March, with matches played on weekends. There are no knock-out rounds — the champion is determined by league points, with bonus points awarded for tries scored and narrow losses. The team that beats all five opponents is awarded the prestigious Grand Slam.
The stadiums used in the Six Nations
Matches are played at six iconic rugby stadiums across Europe, each with its own atmosphere, location and security setup.
- England: Twickenham Stadium (London)
- Wales: Principality Stadium (Cardiff)
- Ireland: Aviva Stadium (Dublin)
- Scotland: Murrayfield Stadium (Edinburgh)
- France: Stade de France (Paris)
- Italy: Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
Bag policies at Six Nations stadiums
While exact rules can vary slightly by match and security level, Six Nations games are considered high-profile international sporting events. As a result, bag policies are strict across all venues.
- Twickenham Stadium (London): Small bags only. Large backpacks and suitcases are not permitted, and there is no general luggage storage for travel bags.
- Principality Stadium (Cardiff): Very strict entry controls due to the city-centre location. Small bags may be allowed, but large bags and luggage are refused. No on-site luggage storage.
- Aviva Stadium (Dublin): Small personal bags only. Backpacks, large bags and suitcases are not permitted, and there is no public luggage storage at the stadium.
- Murrayfield Stadium (Edinburgh): Small bags permitted subject to search. Large backpacks and suitcases are not allowed, and there is no on-site luggage storage.
- Stade de France (Paris): Strict small-bag policy with extensive security perimeters. No luggage storage for large items.
- Stadio Olimpico (Rome): Small bags only. Large backpacks and suitcases are not permitted, and the venue does not offer luggage storage.
In all cases, security staff have final discretion, and arriving with oversized or hard-to-search bags can result in refused entry.
Travelling between Six Nations cities
One of the unique appeals of the Six Nations is how travel-friendly it is for fans. Fixtures are hosted in major capital cities with strong rail and flight connections, making it common for supporters to attend matches in more than one country during a single tournament.
Many fans attend matches on arrival or departure days — for example, flying into Dublin or Rome in the morning and heading straight to the stadium in the afternoon. This is where bag policies most often catch people out, as none of the Six Nations stadiums provide luggage storage for suitcases or large travel bags.
Matchday tips for Six Nations fans
- Arrive early — Six Nations crowds are large and security checks are thorough.
- Travel light and bring only a small personal bag where permitted.
- Eat and drink before heading to the stadium; many venues are in busy areas where queues build quickly.
- Plan your return journey in advance, as transport services are often extremely busy after matches.
The Six Nations is one of the most atmospheric tournaments in international sport, combining elite rugby with passionate home crowds across six iconic stadiums. While each venue has its own character, all operate strict bag policies with no on-site luggage storage for large items. If you’re travelling to matches — especially across borders — planning ahead and arriving with minimal belongings will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable tournament experience.
