Challenge Cup 2026/27 Fixtures

The 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup gets underway on Friday 16 October, with two massive encounters. Last season’s semi-finalists Dragons RFC will launch their campaign at home at Rodney Parade against USAP, while two European heavyweights will collide as Edinburgh Rugby host 2023 champions RC Toulon at Hive Stadium.

2026 finalists Ulster Rugby open their European journey away to Zebre Parma on 17 October, before a blockbuster run of fixtures against French duo Aviron Bayonnais and USAP in Rounds 2 and 3, then wrapping up the pool stage against Dragons RFC at the Affidea Stadium.

Pool 2 serves up massive showdowns from the very first round as 2022 winners LOU Rugby welcome 2024 winners Hollywoodbets Sharks on 17 October. With this season’s Final set to take place in their home city, the French side will be eager to go one step further and book a place in the showpiece.

LOU Rugby then travel to Stadio Comunale di Monigo to take on Benetton Rugby in another standout fixture before facing Scarlets away from home. Their pool-stage campaign concludes with a renewed rivalry against Newcastle Red Bulls in Round 4, in a repeat of last season’s pool-stage encounter.

Pool 3 is packed with European pedigree and rising challengers. Three-time Challenge Cup winners Harlequins - the competition’s joint most successful club - welcome RC Vannes to Twickenham Stoop on 18 October as the French side return to the tournament after their 2024/25 season debut.

Click here for Challenge Cup fixtures

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.

2027/27 EPCR CHALLENGE CUP POOLS

Pool 1:  Toyota Cheetahs, Ulster Rugby, USAP, Dragons RFC, Aviron Bayonnais, Zebre Parma

Pool 2:  Benetton Rugby, LOU Rugby, Newcastle Red Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Castres Olympique, Scarlets 

Pool 3: Ospreys, Edinburgh Rugby, Black Lion, Harlequins, RC Toulon, RC Vannes 

2026/27 Match Weekends

Round 1 - 16/17/18 October 2026   

Round 2 - 11/12/13 December 2026   

Round 3 - 8/9/10 January 2027   

Round 4 - 15/16/17 January 2027  

Round of 16 - 2/3/4 April 2027   

Quarter-Finals - 9/10/11 April 2027   

Semi-Finals - 30 April / 1/2 May 2027   

Lyon 2027 Finals Weekend, OL Stadium

EPCR Challenge Cup Final: Friday 21 May 2027   

Investec Champions Cup Final: Saturday 22 May 2027