This is based on the premise that the prize fund for the Six Nations was in line with last year’s tournament, which has also been misconstrued as being in the region of €20.83 million. This would have represented a significant increase on, say, the 2023 prize fund of €13.7 million when Ireland won the Grand Slam. In actual fact, it is understood that the prize fund for both the 2025 and 2026 Six Nations decreased from 2023, not due to reduced revenue for the Six Nations but seemingly as a consequence of a slight redistribution of funds. Accordingly, the six have evidently sought to ensure a greater return for each of them by reducing the prize fund. For example, as was previously reported in The Irish Times, the IRFU received roughly €5.15 million after Andy Farrell’s side won the 2023 Six Nations.

Source: The Irish Times March 20, 2026 20:10 UTC