Ireland get major Autumn scheduling shake-up

In a change to the norm, Ireland are set to play two Test fixtures in this year’s Autumn Nations Series on a Friday night under lights at the Aviva Stadium.

The full 2024 schedule has been announced and features twenty-one matches in total. The series will begin on Saturday, November 2 – with England hosting New Zealand at Twickenham.

An eye-catching aspect of this year’s series is the scheduling of three Friday night games.

This includes two such fixtures for Ireland, a deviation from their usual Saturday matches during the window. Ireland will face New Zealand on November 8 and Argentina on November 15,  a decision likely made to maximise television audiences.

Steven Kitshoff says the Boks were ‘chasing ghosts’ in Auckland

Steven Kitshoff says the Boks were ‘chasing ghosts’ in Auckland

France will also host Argentina on a Friday night, on November 22.

The series is primarily scheduled for Saturdays however, including a high-profile game between France and New Zealand on November 16 at the Stade de France, a repeat of last year’s Rugby World Cup opener.

Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, said: “The set of fixtures for this year’s Autumn Nations Series will offer fans genuine blockbuster entertainment. With many of the best players in the sport representing some of the best teams, and visiting iconic stadiums, it makes for five incredible weekends of rugby. The support of our broadcast partners means that fans all over the world will also have the opportunity to enjoy every single moment of the Autumn Nations Series.”

🏉 Here are your 2024 #AutumnNationsSeries Fixtures 🙌 pic.twitter.com/S8GUhS2bw5

— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) April 22, 2024

Broadcast coverage for the 2024 Autumn Nations Series will be extensive, with TNT Sports and discovery+ airing all fixtures in the UK and Ireland. This marks the first year of this new broadcasting partnership. In France, TF1 will broadcast each of France’s matches, with beIN SPORT covering other games. Sky Italia will maintain its status as the rugby hub in Italy.

Additional global broadcast details and free-to-air options will be announced later, ensuring fans worldwide can follow every match.