The Investec Champions Cup begins on Friday night for the 24 clubs - which includes 10 former champions who share a total of 24 Champions Cup titles between them.
Defending back-to-back champions Union Bordeaux Bègles will kick off the new season by launching their title defence away against Gloucester Rugby at Kingsholm Stadium on Friday 16 October, the French side looking to avenge two pool-stage defeats suffered against Gloucester during the 2022/23 campaign. A blockbuster Round 2 clash follows for Bordeaux against the DHL Stormers at Stade Chaban Delmas, whose star-studded squad is expected to feature Springbok world champions Cheslin Kolbe, Siya Kolisi and the young talent Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
In the same Pool, Racing 92's Round 2 encounter with Gloucester Rugby will be a landmark occasion, with the French club set to host an EPCR match at Paris La Défense Arena for the final time on 13 December.
TOP 14 champions and six-time Champions Cup winners Stade Toulousain launch their campaign at the iconic Stadium de Toulouse against another former champion, Exeter Chiefs, on 18 October, before a first-ever trip to the Lions in Johannesburg. Their campaign continues with an away challenge against Connacht Rugby - who they last met in 2020 - before hosting Saracens in Round 4 in a rematch of last season’s pool stage.
URC Champions and last season’s runners-up Leinster Rugby begin their search for a fifth title away at ASM Clermont Auvergne on 17 October, whom they last faced in the 2024/25 season pool stages, before hosting Sale Sharks in a quarter-final rematch. Next, their first meeting with Section Paloise since 1996 follows, before an away challenge against Leicester Tigers.
Pool 4 may prove to be the competition's most unforgiving with a blockbuster opening weekend. Gallagher PREM champions Northampton Saints open at home to Cardiff Rugby on 18 October, while on 17 October Bath Rugby face EPCR Challenge Cup title holder and TOP 14 finalist Montpellier Hérault Rugby at The Rec and URC finalists Vodacom Bulls kick off against Stade Français Paris at Loftus Versfeld.
Investec Champions Cup Fixtures
17 October 2026
14:00 Vodacom Bulls vs Stade Français Paris @ Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
16:15 DHL Cape Town vs Bristol Bears @ DHL Stadium, Cape Town
18:30 Stade Rochelais vs Lions @ Stade Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle
12 December 2026
15:00 Lions vs Stade Toulousain @ 10bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg
17:15 Montpellier Hérault Rugby vs Vodacom Bulls @ Septeo Stadium, Montpellier
13 December 2026
17:15 Bordeaux Bègles vs DHL Stormers @ Stade Chaban Delmas, Bordeaux
09 January 2026
15:00 Gloucester vs DHL Stormers @ Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester.
17:15 Vodacom Bulls vs Bath Rugby @ Loftus Versfeld
10 January 2026
15:15 Saracens vs Lions @ StoneX Stadium, London.
15 January 2026
22:00 Northampton Saints vs Vodacom Bulls @ Cinch Stadium, Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
16 January 2026
15:00 Lions vs Exeter Chiefs @ 10bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg
17:15 DHL Stormers vs Racing 92 @ DHL Stadium, Cape Town