The elite of European rugby is back, and every match promises pure excitement. See where to watch the European Rugby Champions Cup 2025/26 live.
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When the continent’s giants clash, which European rugby powerhouse will take home the prestigious European Rugby Champions Cup title in the 2025/26 season?
This competition transcends national league rivalries, bringing together 24 elite teams in an epic journey that demands perfection, strategy, and nerves of steel from every player on the field.
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The truth is, this tournament, also known as the Investec Champions Cup, is where legends are forged and the most thrilling stories in club rugby are written.
Get ready: if you’re a true fan, this is a complete article to the format, the favorites, and most importantly, where to catch every minute of this continental battle.
👉 This content is for informational purposes only and does not provide live streams of the European Rugby Champions Cup.
European Rugby Champions Cup 2025/26: Where to Watch Live
Watching the best club rugby is easy, but the right app depends a lot on your location! We’ve listed the main streaming platforms worldwide so you won’t miss a single try.
ESPN – Latin America
For those in Latin America, ESPN is the main home of elite rugby. Channels like ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+ ensure comprehensive coverage.
- Full coverage: Access to multiple ESPN channels, including ESPN+ streaming (which may be the only option in some plans, such as ESPN Select).
- Features: Expect expert analysis, studio shows (like SportsCenter), exclusive documentaries (30 for 30s), and real-time scores.
- Access: Available on various platforms and packages. Keep in mind that restrictions may apply, especially for streaming.
Premier Sports – United Kingdom
If you’re in the United Kingdom, Premier Sports is a key access point, especially for the European Rugby Champions Cup, one of its exclusive coverages.
- Rugby focus: In addition to the European Rugby Champions Cup, you can follow the URC (United Rugby Championship), EPCR Challenge Cup, and the French Top 14.
- Premium experience: The app offers HD quality, the ability to pause, rewind, or restart live events, and broadcasts from TV channels.
- Regional restriction: Access is strictly limited to viewing within the UK.
FloSports – USA/Canada
In the United States and Canada, FloSports has become one of the major streaming hubs for rugby, serving as the home of the tournament in the region.
- The FloRugby network: The service is part of the larger FloSports network, which covers more than 20 sports, but FloRugby is the one that matters for the Champions Cup.
- Fan features: Offers in-depth stats, unlimited replays, original content, and casting functions for TV.
- Essential access: The app is home to the Investec Champions Cup in the U.S., a must-have platform for North American fans.
beIN SPORTS – France
In France and across several European countries, beIN SPORTS is one of the most complete platforms for following the best of world rugby, including the European Rugby Champions Cup.
- Premium sports coverage: The app streams not only the Champions Cup but also leagues like Ligue 1, Serie A, and La Liga, with expert commentary and real-time analysis.
- Fan tools: Allows users to set match alerts, access highlight videos, exclusive interviews, and up-to-date news.
- Availability: beIN SPORTS is the main gateway to European rugby in France, offering live content, replays, and full journalism coverage in one place.
Champions Cup Format: Groups and Knock-out
Understanding the format is like unlocking the perfect strategy in a scrum. This is an elite competition that leaves no room for mistakes.
The tournament features 24 qualified clubs, divided into four pools (groups) of six teams each.
In the opening stage, each team plays four matches, facing two teams from other countries within its group (one home and one away).
The real adrenaline kicks in during the Round of 16, where the saying “favorites guarantee nothing” truly comes to life.
International travel, player fatigue, and those classic unexpected injuries can flip the outcome in a single decisive game, setting the stage for the grand final in Bilbao, Spain.
Main Dates and Matches
Marking your calendar is the first step for a true fan. EPCR has confirmed the 2025/26 season schedule, kicking off in December.
Club rugby will be intense, with four group-stage rounds packed between December and January. The road to Bilbao already has set dates:
- 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
- Final – 23 May 2026
Keep an eye on the early rounds. South African teams like Stormers and Sharks will face top French and English sides, setting the tone for the season right away.
Club and Country Guide
What makes this competition so special is the diversity and caliber of the clubs involved. Twenty-four teams represent Europe’s top leagues.
It’s not just about English and French clubs, the power of the URC (United Rugby Championship), featuring teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, and South Africa, ensures unmatched intensity.
France and England lead with eight clubs each. The URC secured the remaining eight spots with powerhouses like Leinster (Ireland), Stormers, and Bulls (South Africa).
Epic group-stage matchups are already confirmed, including the La Rochelle vs Leinster rematch, and the presence of champions like Toulouse and Bordeaux-Bègles, the current title holder.
After all, national rivalries turn into club rivalries, and that makes the atmosphere simply electric.
Title Favorites
Talking about favorites is always risky, but impossible to resist. Historically, clubs like Leinster (Ireland) and Toulouse (France) are perennial title contenders.
Toulouse, for example, is living a legendary era and is chasing yet another European Rugby Champions Cup trophy for its collection.
But the beauty of the knockout stage lies in seeing smaller clubs surprise everyone. If you’re after a thrilling narrative, look out for those lesser-titled teams that shine in the group stage.
In this sport, fan passion and one inspired game can outweigh any preseason stat. That’s why you should never underestimate the underdogs!
Challenge Cup: The Second Chance
We can’t forget the EPCR Challenge Cup, which runs in parallel and offers a second chance at continental glory.
Many clubs that don’t qualify for the European Rugby Champions Cup, or are eliminated early, compete in the Challenge Cup.
It’s a tournament that delivers emotional stories, unpredictable matches, and twists that grab your attention from start to finish.
The Challenge Cup ensures that the excitement of European rugby lasts until the end, crowning an equally deserving champion and giving young talents a stage to shine.
