The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has confirmed that there are currently no plans or ongoing discussions to relocate any Six Nations fixtures to the United States. This statement serves as a direct response to recent comments made by World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin, who suggested that hosting matches stateside could benefit the sport’s global expansion.
Gilpin highlighted the potential for an Ireland versus Italy clash to resonate with expatriate communities in the US, arguing that such events could generate significant revenue and introduce rugby to new audiences. He noted that while fans in the home nations might raise objections, the economic advantages of tapping into large Irish and Italian fanbases in cities like Boston and New York were substantial.
However, an IRFU spokesperson emphasized the importance of maintaining the traditional appeal of the tournament. “We believe the Six Nations holds a special place for supporters across all participating unions, and the opportunity for fans in Ireland and Italy to support their teams at home remains a central part of the competition’s appeal,” the statement read. While acknowledging the US as a key growth market, the union clarified that no initiatives to move games there are being pursued from their perspective.
Italy’s rugby federation also distanced itself from the proposal. A spokesman for the FIR acknowledged the potential of the American market, citing the successful 2018 test against Ireland in Chicago, but confirmed that there are no current discussions with stakeholders regarding a Six Nations match on North American soil.
Ireland has previously held high-profile matches in the US, including a historic 2016 victory over the All Blacks at Chicago’s Soldier Field in front of 60,000 spectators, and a commercial success in 2025. Despite these precedents, both the IRFU and FIR appear keen to keep Six Nations home games within Europe.
But why? The 2016 Chicago match sold out 60k. Is tradition really more important than growing the game globally?
Wow, I completely missed Gilpin’s comments! I thought the US idea was already dead. Thanks for clarifying.
Good riddance. The Six Nations is about atmosphere in Dublin and Rome, not corporate stadiums in America.