Cheetahs confirm new home base for Challenge Cup

SPOTLIGHT: The Toyota Cheetahs, in collaboration with the Ospreys, confirmed their home base for the duration of their 2027/27 EPCR Challenge Cup campaign.

St Helen’s Stadium in Swansea, Wales, will host the Cheetahs’ two home fixtures for their 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup campaign during the pool stages, where they will face URC side the Dragons RFC and French Top 14 outfit USAP.

The Cheetahs will first take on the Dragons on Sunday, December 13, before returning to St Helen’s to face USAP on Sunday, January 17 2027.

Both fixtures will form part of two exciting weekends of back-to-back European rugby at St Helen’s.

The Cheetahs’ clash with the Dragons on December 13 comes just 24 hours after the Ospreys host Harlequins on Saturday, December 12, while their meeting with USAP on January 17 follows the Ospreys’ fixture against RC Vannes on Saturday, January 16.

It will give supporters the opportunity to enjoy four EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures at St Helen’s across the two weekends, further showcasing the venue as a home for top-level rugby.

The announcement represents another positive development in the growing relationship between the Ospreys and Cheetahs, while also bringing two additional European fixtures to the newly redeveloped St Helen’s.

The relationship between the two clubs has continued to develop in recent seasons, including player-development opportunities that have allowed players to experience different rugby environments and styles of play.

Hosting the Cheetahs’ EPCR fixtures at St Helen’s is another example of the tangible opportunities created for both clubs, while also bringing additional high-quality rugby to supporters in Swansea and the wider region.

Beyond the fixtures themselves, the clubs will also explore opportunities for the Ospreys and Cheetahs squads to train and work alongside one another during their time in Swansea, building on the existing relationship and allowing players and coaches to share ideas, experiences and different rugby perspectives.

Ospreys Managing Director (Business), Richard Lancaster, said:

“The Ospreys are grateful to the WRU for its permission to play these matches at St Helen’s. We’re really excited to welcome the Cheetahs for these two EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures.

“There is already a strong relationship between the two clubs, and this is another really positive step in developing that further.

“For us, it also demonstrates the opportunities that St Helen’s can create. Having our own venue gives us the ability to bring additional high-quality rugby and events to Swansea.”

MJ Smith, Chief Operating Officer of the Cheetahs, said:

“We are extremely grateful to the Ospreys and the Welsh Rugby Union for their support in making this opportunity possible.

“We have built some wonderful relationships within European rugby, especially with Rugby Nederland and Zebre Parma in Italy.

“Now we have this wonderful opportunity to work with the Ospreys in Swansea, and we are very excited.

“We aim to make St Helen’s a home away from home for the Cheetahs and, importantly, for our supporters abroad.

“We want to create a memorable matchday experience where Cheetahs supporters can come together, enjoy great rugby and a nice braai and feel part of the Cheetahs family.”

Frans Steyn, Director of Rugby of the Cheetahs, said:

“It’s great to be welcomed so warmly by our friends in rugby, the Ospreys.

“St Helen’s has a proud history, and we’re looking forward to playing there, experiencing the newly redeveloped stadium and making it our home in Europe.

“Most importantly, we’re looking forward to getting out there and playing some good Cheetah rugby.”