2025/26 EPRC Champions Cup and Challenge Cup fixtures announced

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, at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, December 6th.

Seven days later, the French giants entertain Scarlets on the Welsh outfit’s return to the top-tier competition. A rerun of last year’s final awaits them in round three, as they tackle Northampton at home on Sunday, January 11th, before their Pool 4 fixtures conclude with a trip to Bristol the following Sunday.

Top 14 champions Toulouse’s quest for a seventh European Cup title begins at home to the Hollywoodbets Sharks on the first Sunday, with trips to Glasgow and Saracens in rounds two and three and Sale Sharks at home in round four.

Gallagher Premiership champions Bath won the Challenge Cup last year and are aiming to land the top prize in European and South African rugby.

Head of Rugby Johann van Graan’s former club, Munster, are their first opponents at The Rec. Bath are then on their travels to France, visiting Toulon and Castres, before they wrap things up in Pool 2 at home to Edinburgh.

Meanwhile, Leinster will hope to put last season’s semi-final exit behind them when they kick off their campaign at home to Harlequins, who they thrashed 62-0 in the Round of 16 last season.

Leinster renew their long rivalry with Leicester when they visit Mattioli Woods Welford Road in round two, before finishing off with two games against French opposition in La Rochelle (home and Bayonne (away).

This year’s Champions Cup begins with a double header on Friday, December 5th, as Sale welcome Glasgow to Salford and Bayonne host the Stormers.

The EPCR Challenge Cup also begins the same evening, with a clash between two European heavyweights, Ulster and Stade Français, at Affidea Stadium, formerly the Kingspan Stadium.

Click here for the full EPCR Investec Champions Cup fixtures >>

Click here for the full EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures >>

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