The Road To Lyon: Blockbuster Matchups Locked In For New Investec Champions Cup Season
EPCR launched the Road to Lyon by confirming the full pool stage fixture schedule for the 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup. The announcement sets the stage for another thrilling season of elite international club rugby.
The 2026/27 campaigns kick off across the weekend of October 16–18, 2026. Clubs will embark on a grueling journey toward the EPCR Finals Weekend, which takes place at Lyon’s OL Stadium on May 21 and 22, 2027.
Featuring European heavyweights, returning contenders, and ambitious challengers, the pool stage promises a host of blockbuster matchups. Rugby’s premier club competitions once again bring together the very best teams from across Europe and South Africa.
The Investec Champions Cup begins on Friday night for 24 elite clubs—a field that includes 10 former champions who share a total of 24 Champions Cup titles.
Defending back-to-back champions Union Bordeaux Bègles launch their defense away against Gloucester Rugby at Kingsholm Stadium on Friday, October 16. The French side looks to avenge two pool-stage defeats suffered against Gloucester during the 2022/23 campaign. In Round 2, Bordeaux hosts the DHL Stormers at Stade Chaban Delmas. Fans expect to see the Stormers’ star-studded squad feature Springbok world champions Cheslin Kolbe and Siya Kolisi, alongside rising talent Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
In the same pool, Racing 92’s Round 2 encounter with Gloucester Rugby marks a landmark occasion. The French club will host an EPCR match at Paris La Défense Arena for the final time on December 13.
TOP 14 champions and six-time Champions Cup winners Stade Toulousain launch their campaign at the iconic Stadium de Toulouse against former champions Exeter Chiefs on October 18. The French giants then travel to Johannesburg for a historic, first-ever clash against the Lions. Their campaign continues with an away challenge against Connacht Rugby—whom they last met in 2020—before hosting Saracens in Round 4 in a rematch of last season’s pool stage.
URC Champions and last season’s runners-up Leinster Rugby begin their search for a fifth title away at ASM Clermont Auvergne on October 17. The teams last faced each other in the 2024/25 pool stages. Leinster then hosts the Sale Sharks in a thrilling quarterfinal rematch. Next, the Irish giants face Section Paloise for the first time since 1996, before traveling for an away challenge against Leicester Tigers.
Pool 4 looks to be the competition’s most unforgiving group following a blockbuster opening weekend schedule. Gallagher Premiership champions Northampton Saints open at home against Cardiff Rugby on October 18. On October 17, Bath Rugby faces EPCR Challenge Cup titleholders and TOP 14 finalists Montpellier Hérault Rugby at The Rec. Simultaneously, URC finalists Vodacom Bulls kick off their campaign against Stade Français Paris at Loftus Versfeld.
2026/27 Investec Champions Cup Pools
| Pool 1 | Pool 2 | Pool 3 | Pool 4 |
| Leinster Rugby | Stade Toulousain | Union Bordeaux Bègles | Northampton Saints |
| Glasgow Warriors | Lions | DHL Stormers | Bath Rugby |
| Section Paloise | Saracens | Racing 92 | Cardiff Rugby |
| Sale Sharks | Stade Rochelais | Munster Rugby | Montpellier Hérault |
| Leicester Tigers | Exeter Chiefs | Bristol Bears | Stade Français Paris |
| ASM Clermont Auvergne | Connacht Rugby | Gloucester Rugby | Vodacom Bulls |
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
