The launch of the 143rd edition of the Men’s Six Nations (M6N) was held at Edinburgh Castle as players and the head coaches from all six countries were present to kick off this year’s tournament.

The event, which took place on Sunday 25th January, was held in the birthplace of international rugby and marks the official start of the six-week tournament, with the first match taking place on Thursday 5th February.

At the launch event last weekend, Guinness Global Marketing Director Somnath Dasgupta said, “As title partners for both the Guinness Men’s Six Nations and Guinness Women’s Six Nations, it fills us with immense pride to have joined the fans, players and coaches in attendance at today’s launch of the 26th year of these magnificent championships.”

Edinburgh became the birthplace of international rugby when, in 1871, Scotland hosted England at Raeburn Place for what would become the first ever international fixture.

This paved the way for the Home Nations Championship in 1883, which is now the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, which is one of the most beloved sporting tournaments and events in world sport.

At the launch event for the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, CEO of Six Nations Rugby Tom Harrison said, “The Guinness Men’s Six Nations is one of sport's greatest success stories. Every year the Championship comes back stronger, creating unforgettable moments and experiences for players and fans, and introducing this year's tournament in Edinburgh, alongside each of the head coaches and players from the six nations, sets the tone for an incredible six weeks of elite sporting entertainment.”

Last year’s M6N was watched by nearly 180 million fans worldwide, with a new tournament record attendance also being set as over 1 million fans packed out stadiums across the five rounds of rugby.

This year’s edition of the M6N also holds significance after the introduction of the Nations Championships, which will see Northern Hemisphere teams (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales) take on teams from the Southern Hemisphere (Australia, Argentina, Fiji, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa) in July.

On the importance of the 2026 Men’s Six Nations, Dasgupta also said, “Guinness’ roots in rugby run deep, and that’s down to the shared values the game and our brand represent. For Guinness, rugby, and indeed sport, is about the feeling of belonging that is created by shared emotion and rituals away from the pitch as much as the action on it. Guinness epitomises that feeling, making every match day a truly ‘Lovely Day for a Guinness’ – in the stadium, at home and in the pub.”

Round 1 of the Men’s Six Nations begins on Thursday 5th February, as France take on Ireland before Italy faces Scotland and England hosts Wales, both on Saturday 7th February.