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Exciting Champions Cup Schedules Confirmed For Leinster And Munster

SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork is the venue for Munster's round 2 match against Gloucester in the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

Leinster and Munster will both launch their bids for Investec Champions Cup glory on Saturday, December 6, following the release of the full schedule of pool fixtures, dates, and kick-off times for the 2025/26 tournament.

Click here to view the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup pool fixtures.

The showpiece Champions Cup final has been set for Saturday, May 23, in the vibrant city of Bilbao in nothern Spain. Bilbao’s spectacular San Mamés Stadium is where Leinster won their last EPCR title in 2018, and where next year’s winners will be crowned.

Both Irish provinces now know their routes to the knockout stages of EPCR’s elite competition, with BKT United Rugby Championship holders Leinster hosting Harlequins in their opening Pool 3 match on December 6 (kick-off 5.30pm).

The other home date for Leinster is against La Rochelle, as the very familiar rivals meet for the sixth successive year. Twelve months on from their 16-14 win at Stade Marcel-Deflandre, Leo Cullen’s men will have home advantage for the rematch on Saturday, January 10 (kick-off 5.30pm).

The venues for the two Dublin games will be confirmed in due course, while either side of the La Rochelle tie, Cullen’s side will visit Leicester Tigers, who will be led by incoming head coach Geoff Parling, on Friday, December 12, and new opponents Bayonne in the fourth round.

Leinster’s first ever visit to Stade Jean Dauger will take place on Saturday, January 17, with the ground a real fortress for Bayonne who won all 14 of their home fixtures on the way to reaching the Top 14 semi-finals this year.

Munster will have an exciting start to the pool phase with a reunion with former head coach Johann van Graan. For incoming boss Clayton McMillan’s Champions Cup bow, they will travel to the Recreation Ground to face Bath on December 6.

The Pool 2 opener marks the teams’ first European meeting since October 2000, and will lead into another historic occasion in round 2 when Cork’s SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh plays host to Munster’s encounter with Gloucester on Saturday, December 13 (kick-off 5.30pm).

It will be the first time that Champions Cup rugby is played at the famous Gaelic Games venue, which has a capacity of 45,300. Munster have played there twice before, earning wins over South Africa ‘A’ and the Crusaders in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

McMillan’s charges will then visit Toulon, whose Top 14 title challenge this year ended at the semi-final stage. Sunday, January 11 will see the Reds return to the Stade Mayol, the scene of their 29-18 bonus point victory over the French outfit in 2023/24.

Six days later, on Saturday, January 17, the Munstermen will be back at Thomond Park for their 20th meeting in Champions Cup history with Castres Olympique (kick-off 5.30pm). Castres won 16-14 at home when the sides met in the pool stages last December.

The fixtures were determined following the input of individual team calendar and venue considerations, broadcast requirements, and league calendar restrictions into an algorithm with the outcome of the recent pool draw, all of which were considered to deliver the optimum pool match schedule.

EPCR Chairman Dominic McKay commented: “We’re thrilled to unveil the full fixture list for the 2025/26 season. I’d like to thank our teams, leagues, and broadcast partners for their continued support and collaboration.

“After a standout year marked by record-breaking growth across TV, digital, and live attendance, we’re eager to build on that momentum with another thrilling set of pool fixtures.

“With the ‘Road to Bilbao’ now officially underway, we’re looking forward to a season packed with unforgettable moments as we build toward the 2026 finals weekend at San Mamés Stadium.”

Jacques Raynaud, EPCR CEO, added: “Following the recent pool draws and with valuable input from our teams, leagues, and broadcast partners, we’ve once again been able to finalise the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup schedules in a short timeframe.

“Fans can now start planning their EPCR weekends, whether cheering at home or travelling across Europe and South Africa for unforgettable away days.

“With 42 of the best clubs, franchises, and provinces in the world set to compete, we’re counting down the days until the action kicks off on Friday, December 5.”

The race to follow in the footsteps of current champions Bordeaux-Bègles will intensify when the Champions Cup knockout stages begin in April. The semi-finals will follow over the weekend of May 1/2/3, before all roads lead to Bilbao three weeks later.

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2025/26 INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP POOLS:

POOL 1: Stade Toulousain, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Saracens, Glasgow Warriors, Sale Sharks

POOL 2: Bath Rugby, RC Toulon, MUNSTER RUGBY, Castres Olympique, Edinburgh Rugby, Gloucester Rugby

POOL 3: LEINSTER RUGBY, Leicester Tigers, Harlequins, Stade Rochelais, Aviron Bayonnais, DHL Stormers

POOL 4: Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Scarlets, Bristol Bears, Section Paloise, Northampton Saints, Vodacom Bulls

IRISH PROVINCES’ POOL FIXTURES –

ROUND 1:

Saturday, December 6 –

LEINSTER RUGBY v Harlequins, venue tbc, 5.30pm (Premier Sports/beIN SPORTS/SuperSport/FloRugby)

Bath Rugby v MUNSTER RUGBY, Recreation Ground, 8pm (Premier Sports/beIN SPORTS/SuperSport/FloRugby)

ROUND 2:

Friday, December 12 –

Leicester Tigers v LEINSTER RUGBY, Mattioli Woods Welford Road, 8pm (Premier Sports/beIN SPORTS/SuperSport/FloRugby)

Saturday, December 13 –

MUNSTER RUGBY v Gloucester Rugby, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 5.30pm (Premier Sports/beIN SPORTS/SuperSport/FloRugby)

ROUND 3:

Saturday, January 10 –

LEINSTER RUGBY v Stade Rochelais, venue tbc, 5.30pm (Premier Sports/beIN SPORTS/SuperSport/FloRugby)

Sunday, January 11 –

RC Toulon v MUNSTER RUGBY, Stade Félix Mayol, 2pm local time/1pm Irish time (beIN SPORTS/Premier Sports/SuperSport/FloRugby)

ROUND 4:

Saturday, January 17 –

Aviron Bayonnais v LEINSTER RUGBY, Stade Jean Dauger, 4.15pm local time/3.15pm Irish time (beIN SPORTS/France TV/Premier Sports/SuperSport/FloRugby)

MUNSTER RUGBY v Castres Olympique, Thomond Park, 5.30pm (Premier Sports/beIN SPORTS/SuperSport/FloRugby)

2025/26 Investec Champions Cup Full Fixture List