Tough Champions Cup openers await South African sides

SPOTLIGHT: The 2025/26 EPCR Champions and Challenge Cup fixtures have been announced for the upcoming season.

The Champions Cup campaign begins on Friday, December 5, for the 24 clubs, which include 10 former champions who share a total of 25 Champions Cup titles.

Two exciting matchups will launch the season: Sale Sharks will face Glasgow Warriors at Salford Community Stadium (20:00 local time), while Bayonne will take on the Stormers at Stade Jean-Dauger at 21:00 (local time).

The following day, reigning Champions Cup holders Bordeaux Bègles will begin their title defence with a tough away fixture in South Africa against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld at 17.15.

Their campaign continues with home games against Scarlets and a hotly anticipated rematch of last season’s Final against Northampton Saints in Round Three at Stade Chaban-Delmas.

Their last match in the pool stage will be against Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate.

Also on December 6, Bath, who are fresh from a historic treble, begin their campaign by hosting Munster at The Rec (20.00 local time kick-off).

A major test awaits in Round Two as they travel to face three-time champions RC Toulon at Stade Félix Mayol.

Toulon’s Round Three clash will be another classic as they then take on Munster at home.

Six-time champions Toulouse, who are winners of the Top 14, will host the Sharks at Stade Ernest Wallon on Sunday, December 7, at 16.15 (local time) in a blockbuster Round One clash likely to feature a host of international stars.

Toulouse’s pool stage campaign also includes fixtures against Glasgow Warriors, Saracens, and Sale Sharks.

Leinster, three-time runners-up and in pursuit of a fifth title, kick-off their campaign at home against Harlequins on December 6 at 17.30 (local time).

The English side will be eager for redemption after last season’s Round of 16 defeat, where they failed to register a single point against the Irish giants.

Leinster will then travel to Leicester Tigers, before reigniting their rivalry with La Rochelle back in Dublin.

Their final pool stage match will see them face Bayonne at Stade Jean-Dauger in a competitive pool stage.

Pau mark their return to the top-tier competition for the first time in 25 years with a home fixture against last season’s runners-up Northampton Saints on December 7 at 14.00 (local time).

The 2025/26 EPCR Challenge Cup also begins on Friday, December 5, with Ulster hosting Racing 92 in the tournament’s opening fixture, kicking off at 20.00 (local time) at Ravenhill Stadium.

Newly-promoted Pro D2 winners US Montauban make a long-awaited return to European competition after a 15-year absence.

They open their campaign away to Zebre at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Saturday, December 6, kicking off at 21.00 (local time).

The 2022 champions and last season’s runners-up, Lyon, will host Newcastle Falcons at Matmut Stadium de Gerland in Round One on December 6 (18.30 local time kick-off). Lyon’s pool schedule also includes ties against Dragons, Lions, and Benetton.

Two-time winners Montpellier Rugby kick off their campaign with an away trip to Tbilisi, where they face invitee Georgian club Black Lion at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium on December 6 (19.15 local time kick-off).

On the same day, Cardiff, another two-time winner, begin their EPCR Challenge Cup campaign with a heavyweight tie against the 2017 winners Stade Français Paris at Stade Jean Bouin (14.00 local time kick off).

South African Round One fixtures 

Bayonne v Stormers, Stade Jean Dauger (21.00)

Bulls v Bordeaux Begles, Loftus Versfeld (17.15)

Toulouse v Sharks, Stade Ernest Wallon (16.15)

To see all the Champions and Challenge Cup fixtures, CLICK HERE!