Ireland to play first Women's Six Nations game at Dexcom Stadium
- Published
Ireland will play their first Women's Six Nations game at Connacht's newly-developed Dexcom Stadium during next year's tournament.
Scott Bemand's side will host Italy at the Galway venue - which will fully open in January - on 18 April and will welcome Wales to Belfast's Affidea Stadium on 9 May.
The Ireland women's side's only previous appearance in Galway was a 15-8 victory over Canada in April 2006.
As previously announced, Ireland will play their first standalone Women's Six Nations fixture at Aviva Stadium when they host Scotland on 17 May.
Ireland open their tournament away to holders England at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium on 11 April. They will also travel to France on 25 April.
Bemand's side finished third behind England and France in the 2025 Six Nations two wins and three defeats in five games.
Ireland will be hoping to build on this year's World Cup campaign in England which included pool wins over Spain and Japan before a narrow quarter-final defeat by France.
The Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU]'s head of women's performance and pathways Gillian McDarby said the union is "determined to build on the groundswell of support the team received" at the World Cup.
"Confirmation that Galway, Belfast and Dublin will host home matches in 2026 is an exciting development, ensuring the visibility of the team grows and there is accessibility to world class women's sport across all areas of the country," said McDarby.
"We look forward to working with Connacht Rugby, Ulster Rugby and the team at Aviva Stadium to deliver memorable events for all our supporters, partners and stakeholders, and building further on the positive momentum behind the Green Wave into 2026."
Ireland's 2026 Women's Six Nations fixtures (times BST)
Saturday, 11 April: England v Ireland, Allianz Stadium, 14:25
Saturday, 18 April: Ireland v Italy, Dexcom Stadium, 17:40
Saturday, 25 April: France v Ireland, TBC, 20:10
Saturday, 9 May: Ireland v Wales, Affidea Stadium, 18:30
Sunday, 17 May: Ireland v Scotland, Aviva Stadium, 14:30