EPCR has today confirmed the full pool stage fixture list for the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, club rugby’s premier international competitions.
The 2025/26 campaign begins on the weekend of 5/6/7 December, culminating in the EPCR Finals Weekend at Bilbao’s San Mamés Stadium on 22 and 23 May 2026.
The Investec Champions Cup campaign begins on Friday night for the 24 clubs, which includes 10 former champions who share a total of 25 Champions Cup titles. Two exciting matchups will launch the season: Sale Sharks will face Glasgow Warriors at Salford Community Stadium at 20:00 (local time), while Aviron Bayonnais will take on the DHL Stormers at Stade Jean-Dauger, kicking off at 21:00 (local time).
The following day, reigning Investec Champions Cup holders Union Bordeaux Bègles will begin their title defence with a tough away fixture in South Africa against the Vodacom Bulls, kicking off at Loftus Versfeld at 17.15 (local time). Their campaign continues with home games against Scarlets and a hotly anticipated rematch of last season’s Final against Northampton Saints in Round 3 at Stade Chaban-Delmas. Their last match in the pool stage will be against Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate.
Also on 6 December, Bath Rugby, fresh from a historic treble, begin their Investec Champions Cup campaign by hosting Munster Rugby at The Rec (20.00 local time kick-off). A major test awaits in Round 2 as they travel to face three-time champions RC Toulon at Stade Félix Mayol. Toulon’s Round 3 clash will be another classic as they then take on Munster at home.
Six-time champions Stade Toulousain, winners of the TOP 14, will host South Africa’s Hollywoodbets Sharks at Stade Ernest Wallon on Sunday 7 December, kicking off at 16.15 (local time), in a blockbuster Round 1 clash likely to feature a host of international stars. Toulouse’s pool stage campaign also includes fixtures against Glasgow Warriors, Saracens, and Sale Sharks.
Leinster Rugby, three-time runners-up and in pursuit of a fifth title, kick off their campaign at home against Harlequins on 6 December, 17.30 (local time). The English side will be eager for redemption after last season’s Round of 16 defeat, where they failed to register a single point against the Irish giants. Leinster will then travel to Leicester Tigers, before reigniting their rivalry with Stade Rochelais back in Dublin. Their final pool stage match will see them face Aviron Bayonnais at Stade Jean-Dauger in a competitive pool stage.
Section Paloise mark their return to the top-tier competition for the first time in 25 years with a home fixture against last season’s runners-up Northampton Saints on 7 December, 14.00 kick off (local time).
Click HERE for the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup fixtures.
Click HERE for the Investec Champions Cup pools.
The 2025/26 EPCR Challenge Cup also begins on Friday, 5 December, with Ulster Rugby hosting Racing 92 in the tournament’s opening fixture, kicking off at 20.00 (local time) at Affidea Stadium.
Newly-promoted PRO D2 winners US Montauban make a long-awaited return to European competition after a 15-year absence. They open their campaign away to Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Saturday, 6 December, kicking off at 21.00 (local time).
2022 champions and last season’s runners-up Lyon Olympique Universitaire will host Newcastle Falcons at Matmut Stadium de Gerland in Round 1 on 6 December (18.30 local time kick-off). Lyon Olympique Universitaire’s pool schedule also includes ties against Dragons RFC, Lions, and Benetton Rugby.
Two-time winners Montpellier Hérault Rugby kick off their campaign with an away trip to Tbilisi, where they face invitee Georgian club Black Lion at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium on 6 December (19.15 local time kick-off).
On the same day, Cardiff Rugby, another two-time winner, begin their EPCR Challenge Cup campaign with a heavyweight tie against the 2017 winners Stade Français Paris at Stade Jean Bouin (14.00 local time kick-off).
Dominic McKay, EPCR Chairman, said: “We’re thrilled to unveil the full fixture list for the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup. I’d like to thank our clubs, leagues, and broadcast partners for their continued support and collaboration.
“After a standout season marked by record-breaking growth across TV, digital, and live attendance, we’re eager to build on that momentum with another thrilling set of pool stage fixtures.
“With the Road to Bilbao now officially underway, we’re looking forward to a season packed with unforgettable moments as we build toward the 2026 Finals Weekend at San Mamés Stadium.”
Jacques Raynaud, EPCR CEO, added: “Following the recent Pool Draws and with valuable input from our clubs, leagues, and broadcast partners, we’ve once again been able to finalise the schedule in a short timeframe.
“Fans can now start planning their EPCR weekends, whether cheering at home or travelling across Europe and South Africa for unforgettable away days.
“With 42 of the best clubs in the world set to compete, we’re counting down the days until the action kicks off on Friday, 5 December.”
The fixture schedules were determined by using an algorithm which took into consideration the tournament format, the outcome of the pool draws, league calendar restrictions, individual club calendar restrictions and broadcast requirements.
2025/26 weekends
Round 1 – 5/6/7 December 2025
Round 2 – 12/13/14 December 2025
Round 3 – 9/10/11 January 2026
Round 4 – 16/17/18 January 2026
Round of 16 – 3/4/5 April 2026
Quarter-finals – 10/11/12 April 2026
Semi-finals – 1/2/3 May 2026
EPCR Challenge Cup Final – San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao; Friday 22 May
Investec Champions Cup Final – San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao; Saturday 23 May