The Investec Champions & EPCR Challenge Cup 2026–27 kick off on 16 October, with Gloucester Rugby hosting back-to-back champions Union Bordeaux Bègles under the lights at Kingsholm.
Three days of opening-round action will set the tone for a season culminating at OL Stadium in Lyon next May. With a new qualification format, major signings and familiar names returning to European club rugby, there’s plenty to watch.
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Here’s what to look out for this weekend.
Investec Champions & EPCR Challenge Cup: Key Fixtures and Storylines
Key dates and format
- Opening match: Friday, 16 October, Gloucester Rugby vs Union Bordeaux Bègles.
- Investec Champions Cup: 24 clubs from the Top 14, Gallagher PREM and United Rugby Championship (URC).
- EPCR Challenge Cup: 18 clubs across three pools, with four Champions Cup clubs joining the knockout stage.
- Finals weekend: 21–22 May 2027, OL Stadium, Lyon.
The pool stage just got harder
EPCR has raised the stakes. Last season, the top four clubs in each pool qualified automatically for the Round of 16. This season, only the top three are guaranteed a place, with the remaining four spots going to the highest-ranked clubs across all four pools based on match points.
That means finishing fourth is no longer enough on its own. Every result counts, and there’s less room for a slow start.
Familiar names, new colours
Louis Rees-Zammit returns to European club rugby with Bristol Bears following his NFL stint. Siya Kolisi is back in South Africa with the DHL Stormers, while Courtney Lawes makes his European debut in Sale Sharks colours. Tom Willis joins Union Bordeaux Bègles as the defending champions target a third consecutive title.
In the Challenge Cup, Tommaso Allan adds experience to Zebre Parma, while Cadan Murley and Henry Arundell bring attacking quality to Harlequins and Bath respectively.
Three to circle in the Champions Cup
- Gloucester Rugby vs Union Bordeaux Bègles (Fri, 16 Oct): The opening fixture sees Gloucester take on the back-to-back champions at Kingsholm.
- ASM Clermont Auvergne vs Leinster Rugby (Sat, 17 Oct): A heavyweight pool-stage clash at the Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin.
- Stade Toulousain vs Exeter Chiefs (Sun, 18 Oct): Six-time champions Toulouse begin their campaign against former champions Exeter at home.
And three in the Challenge Cup
- Edinburgh Rugby vs RC Toulon (Fri, 16 Oct): Toulon bring plenty of pedigree to the competition as they begin their campaign in Edinburgh.
- Black Lion vs Ospreys (Sat, 17 Oct): Georgia’s champions welcome Welsh opposition in Tbilisi.
- Harlequins vs RC Vannes (Sun, 18 Oct): Harlequins open their campaign against the French side at Twickenham Stoop.
The return of the Toyota Cheetahs and the arrival of the rebranded Newcastle Red Bulls add another layer of intrigue to the Challenge Cup.
Keep the Investec Champions & EPCR Challenge Cup Fixtures in One Place
Two competitions, clubs spread across Europe and South Africa, and kick-offs across multiple time zones. Keeping track of every match can quickly become a juggling act, particularly as the knockout stages approach.
With ECAL, fans can sync fixtures directly to the calendar they already use, whether that’s Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook. Follow the full competition or just your club, with match events and updates delivered straight to your calendar without needing another app.
Sync the Investec Champions Cup fixtures
