EPCR confirms 2026/27 European Cup Pools

The pool draws for the 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup have been completed in Dublin, setting up a new European club rugby season that begins on Friday, October 16.

Investec Champions Cup Pool Draw Confirmed

The Investec Champions Cup draw has produced four competitive pools featuring leading clubs from the TOP 14, Gallagher PREM, United Rugby Championship and South Africa.

Defending champions Union Bordeaux Bègles, TOP 14 winners Stade Toulousain, Gallagher PREM champions Northampton Saints and URC champions Leinster Rugby were separated as Tier 1 teams.

Leinster headline Pool 1 alongside Sale Sharks, Leicester Tigers, Section Paloise, ASM Clermont Auvergne and Glasgow Warriors. Toulouse lead Pool 2 with Lions, Saracens, Stade Rochelais, Exeter Chiefs and Connacht Rugby.

Champions Cup Pools Set For 2026/27 Season

Bordeaux Bègles top Pool 3, where they will face DHL Stormers, Racing 92, Munster Rugby, Bristol Bears and Gloucester Rugby.

Pool 4 includes Northampton Saints, Bath Rugby, Cardiff Rugby, Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Stade Français Paris and Vodacom Bulls, creating another strong group with several knockout-stage contenders.

EPCR Challenge Cup Draw Completed

The EPCR Challenge Cup draw has also confirmed three pools. Pool 1 includes Toyota Cheetahs, Ulster Rugby, USAP, Dragons RFC, Aviron Bayonnais and Zebre Parma.

Pool 2 features Benetton Rugby, LOU Rugby, Newcastle Red Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Castres Olympique and Scarlets. Pool 3 includes Ospreys, Edinburgh Rugby, Black Lion, Harlequins, RC Toulon and RC Vannes.

EPCR also confirmed two sporting rule changes for the new season, covering Round of 16 qualification and the try bonus point system. Full fixture details, including dates, venues, kick-off times and TV coverage, will be announced later this month.

The season will be played across eight weekends and will conclude with the EPCR Finals Weekend in Lyon on May 21 and 22.

2026/27 INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP

Pool 1: Leinster Rugby Glasgow Warriors, Section Paloise, Sale Sharks, Leicester Tigers, ASM Clermont Auvergne
Pool 2: Stade Toulousain, Lions, Saracens, Stade Rochelais, Exeter Chiefs, Connacht Rugby
Pool 3: Union Bordeaux Begles, DHL Stormers, Racing 92, Munster Rugby, Bristol Bears, Gloucester Rugby
Pool 4: Northampton Saints, Bath Rugby, Cardiff Rugby, Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Stade Français Paris, Vodacom Bulls

2026/27 EPCR CHALLENGE CUP

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