Champions Cup 2026/27 fixtures

The Road to Lyon officially begins today as EPCR confirms the full pool stage fixture schedule for the 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, setting the stage for another thrilling season of elite international club rugby.

The 2026/27 campaigns kick off across the weekend of 16/1718 October, with clubs embarking on the journey towards the EPCR Finals Weekend, taking place at Lyon's OL Stadium on 21 and 22 May 2027.

Featuring European heavyweights, returning contenders and ambitious challengers, the pool stage promises a host of blockbuster match-ups and compelling rivalries as rugby's premier club competitions once again bring together the very best teams from across Europe and South Africa.

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 defense 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, who 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 the 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.

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