When European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) unveiled the full 2025/26 calendar for the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, fans learned the season will culminate with a two‑day finals weekend in Bilbao, Spain. The climax will be staged at the historic San Mamés Stadium on 22‑23 May 2026, giving the competition a fresh Iberian flavor after years of UK and French venues.
The season starts in the usual December window, with two consecutive pool‑stage weekends. Round 1 runs 5–7 December 2025, followed immediately by Round 2 on 12–14 December. After a festive hiatus, the action resumes in January – Round 3 (9–11 Jan 2026) and Round 4 (16–18 Jan 2026). The knock‑out phase kicks off in early April, with the Round of 16 slated for the weekend of 3–5 April, quarter‑finals on 10–12 April, and semi‑finals from 1–3 May. The schedule spreads across eight months, keeping clubs busy while dovetailing with domestic leagues.
Premier Sports secured the comprehensive UK‑and‑Ireland broadcast rights. Chief Executive Richard Sweeney said, “We had a great first season bringing the world's greatest international club rugby competition to our customers, and 2025/26 will be even bigger and better. We now provide the most comprehensive rugby club coverage available across the UK and Ireland… Premier Sports is the destination for any rugby fan.”
The package promises live coverage of marquee ties – for example, Leinster hosting Harlequins and a blockbuster Stade Toulousain‑Hollywoodbets Sharks clash in Toulouse during Round 1. The EPCR Challenge Cup will see Ulster take on Racing 92 on 5 December, and Exeter Chiefs face Toyota Cheetahs at Sandy Park two days later.
These fixtures not only set the tonality for the pool stage but also give smaller clubs a chance to make headlines against the traditional heavyweights.
The 2024/25 Investec Champions Cup final was held at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, where Bordeaux Bègles clinched their maiden title with a 28‑20 win over Northampton Saints. Over 70,000 spectators witnessed a nail‑biter that went 20‑20 at half‑time before Bordeaux’s forward pack and precise kicking sealed the game. French wing Damian Penaud scored two tries, cementing his status as a tournament star.
Moving the finals to Bilbao marks a strategic shift for EPCR, tapping into the city’s growing sports tourism market. San Mamés, known as “The Cathedral of Football,” will host two historic rugby finals:
The venue’s 53,000‑seat capacity and its iconic riverside setting promise a vibrant atmosphere, while the city’s excellent transport links make it fan‑friendly for supporters travelling from across Europe.
Retaining the 24‑club format ensures the competition stays inclusive, giving clubs from the French Top 14, English Premiership, United Rugby Championship and other leagues a chance to compete on the same stage. The schedule’s compact pool phase – two weekends in December – mirrors the tight windows clubs face domestically, but the clear knockout timeline should help broadcasters and sponsors plan high‑impact campaigns.
From a commercial perspective, the Bilbao move could unlock new sponsorship opportunities in the Spanish market, while Premier Sports’ expanded rights package signals growing appetite for club‑level rugby on television.
EPCR has hinted that ticket sales for the Bilbao weekend will open shortly after the current season wraps up, likely in late June 2026. Early‑bird packages are expected to bundle both finals, with travel and hospitality add‑ons targeting overseas fans. Organisers are also exploring fan zones around the riverfront, offering live music and interactive rugby clinics – a nod to the city’s festive spirit.
Bilbao’s international airport offers direct flights from major European hubs, and the city’s public transport connects the airport to San Mamés in under 40 minutes. Organisers promise dedicated shuttle services on finals weekend, making it easier for fans from France, the UK and beyond to attend both matches without hassle.
Premier Sports will broadcast every round live on its main channel and via the Premier Sports app. High‑definition streams, on‑screen stats and pre‑match analysis will be available for all subscription tiers, ensuring fans nationwide won’t miss any action.
Leinster vs. Harlequins, Stade Toulousain vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, and Ulster vs. Racing 92 are highlighted as the headline fixtures of Round 1. These ties pit reigning domestic champions against European heavyweights, offering early indicators of form heading into the knockout stages.
The 2025/26 calendar mirrors the traditional December start but compresses the pool stage into two back‑to‑back weekends, a tweak introduced to avoid clashes with domestic fixtures. The shift to a Spanish final venue also breaks a decade‑long tradition of UK‑centric finals, signalling EPCR’s intent to broaden its geographic footprint.
EPCR plans to open ticket sales in late June 2026, shortly after the domestic leagues conclude. Bundled packages for both the Challenge Cup and Champions Cup finals are expected, with early‑bird discounts for fans who purchase before the end of July.
Linda Lawton
They’re selling out the sport on a silver platter, dressing it up with fancy stadium lights while the true heart of the game gets tossed aside. I see the hidden hands of big‑money sponsors pulling strings from behind the scenes. If we keep letting this happen, the game we love will become nothing more than a televised circus.
Ashley Bradley
The calendar's structure reveals a deeper tension between tradition and innovation, inviting us to contemplate the very nature of competitive sport. By compressing the pool stage into two successive December weekends, the organizers appear to prioritize logistical convenience over player welfare. Yet this decision also mirrors the relentless pace of modern life, where immediacy is prized above measured reflection. One might argue that such a schedule forces teams to reveal their true character early, stripping away the luxury of gradual buildup. Conversely, the early knockout phases could diminish the narrative arcs that fans cherish over a season. While the finals' relocation to Bilbao adds an exotic flavor, it also raises questions about cultural identity within European rugby. In the end, the calendar is a living document, embodying both the sport's heritage and its evolving aspirations. It is our responsibility as observers to engage with these nuances rather than accept them uncritically.
Joe Delaney
Looks like a solid plan for the fans.
Ruben Vilas Boas
Yo, the Bilbao move could be a game‑changer for the sport. It’s a fresh vibe that’ll hype up the crowd and give clubs a new stage. Let’s hope the logistics stay smooth and the games stay fierce.
George Thomas
The decision to host both finals at San Mamés presents a fascinating case study in sports venue diversification. While the stadium is renowned for football, its infrastructure appears capable of accommodating high‑calibre rugby events. This choice may enhance the tournament’s marketability within the Iberian Peninsula, though it also demands careful coordination with local authorities to preserve spectator experience. Observing how ticketing strategies unfold will provide valuable insight into fan engagement across borders.