The countdown to the biggest weekend in international club rugby is officially on, with just 100 days to go until the 2025 EPCR Finals weekend get underway in the iconic rugby city of Cardiff.
An event not to be missed, the excitement kicks off on Friday 23 May with the EPCR Challenge Cup Final, followed by the thrilling Investec Champions Cup Final on Saturday 24 May. Tickets are now available for fans who want to be part of the ultimate club rugby showdown here.
With a little under three months to go until the top clubs arrive in Wales vying for the coveted silverware, celebrations are also underway for the competitions 30th season. EPCR are celebrating three decades of unforgettable moments, showcasing the icons of the game, jaw-dropping skills, and a legacy of champions like no other.
Taking place at Cardiff’s iconic Principality Stadium, excitement is building in the city and beyond, after a thrilling pool stage set the scene for the winner-takes-all knock-out rounds.
2025 brings the competition back to the city that hosted the very first final when Stade Toulousain triumphed over Cardiff in extra time to win the first title, in front of a crowd of 21 800 at Cardiff Arms Park.
30 years later, up to 149 000 fans will have the chance to witness the two Finals at the legendary Principality Stadium. EPCR, along with partners Visit Wales and Visit Cardiff, are inviting rugby fans to get involved in the excitement and ‘feel the hwyl’ – the unique Welsh spirit of fun and joy, perfectly embodied by the camaraderie that brings friends, families and even rival supporters together in a celebration of rugby.
One man who knows what it’s like better than most to play a Champions Cup Final in front of huge crowds is former Wasps and England captain Lawrence Dallaglio, who led the London side to two Champions Cup victories – both at Twickenham. In 2004, London Wasps stunned Stade Toulousain thanks to a last-gasp try from Welshman Rob Howley and 17 points from New Zealander Mark van Gisbergen. In 2007, in front of a record Champions Cup Final crowd of 81 076 at Twickenham, London Wasps were once again underdogs but swarmed over Leicester Tigers, pulling off a stunning 25-9 victory that few would have predicted.
Dallaglio - now a Premier Sports pundit for their Investec Champions Cup coverage – recalled his own experience of playing in the Finals: “The atmosphere of the Finals and some of the big games I played in Europe is, in terms of the colour, the energy, the noise, it's probably even bigger and better than international rugby.
"I played in two European Cup Finals in 2004 and 2007 and just by coincidence, they both happened to be at Twickenham Stadium. And the atmosphere at Twickenham on both occasions was probably as big as anything I've previously been involved in at Twickenham in an England jersey. So, I think that gives it a kind of a sense of how big it is.”
Speaking about the unique atmosphere in Cardiff, Dallaglio said: “Cardiff and the Principality Stadium is largely and widely regarded to have a very special atmosphere: it's right in the middle of the city centre, in the capital of Wales and Welsh rugby fans are passionate about their rugby. It's in their blood.
Given its (Principality Stadiums) proximity to the city centre, given the atmosphere that we've seen before in Cardiff for big finals, the energy, build-up and anticipation of the match is there right from the minute you wake up in the morning.”
A symbol that the countdown is well and truly underway, the iconic trophies of both the EPCR Challenge Cup and the Investec Champions Cup will make their way to the Principality Stadium via numerous local events in Cardiff and beyond. Starting at the Wales v Ireland 6 Nations match, the trophies will take centre stage in a series of unmissable activities, with details to be revealed soon.
Plans are also well underway for the Champions Rugby Village in Cardiff. The Fan Zone for Finals Weekend will be adjacent to the Principality Stadium on the grounds of the emblematic Cardiff Arms Park. Located right in the heart of the city, fans from Wales and around the world will get the chance to experience the full Finals Weekend experience together.
Open to all on both the Friday and the Saturday with free admission, the Champions Rugby Village will offer a range of food and beverage options, some partner activations and rugby activities as well as some live entertainment. Full details will be communicated in the coming weeks.
Fans who want to be at the heart of the world’s greatest club rugby competition can now purchase day and weekend tickets. Official weekend travel packages are also available combining match tickets, hand-picked hotels, exclusive events and behind-the-scenes experiences, with travel specialists Destination Champions Club. For more information, visit the official website.
Dominic McKay, EPCR Chairman, said: “It’s a big milestone for EPCR to mark 100 days to the 2025 Finals in Cardiff, made even more special as it also marks 100 days to the 30th Champions Cup Final.
"Given the incredible sporting moments we’ve seen in the competition this season, the fantastic facilities at the Principality Stadium, the incredible rugby culture in Cardiff and Wales, and the meticulous planning that is going on by all involved, I have no doubt Cardiff 2025 will be a memorable Finals weekend for the clubs and fans.”
Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas said: "Cardiff and Rugby have always gone hand in hand, so we're looking forward to welcoming the Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup Finals back to the city for the first time in a decade, for what promises to be a memorable weekend.
"Since it opened, events at the Principality Stadium have generated in the region of £2-billion in visitor spending and supported more than 50 000 full-time jobs locally - clear evidence that major events like this result in significant benefits for the local economy, as well as bringing a special atmosphere to the city.”
INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP
Round of 16
(Pool stage rankings in brackets / All kick-offs local times)
Friday 4 April
Match 3: Northampton Saints (3) v ASM Clermont Auvergne (14), cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens (8pm)
Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby
Saturday 5 April
Match 4: RC Toulon (4) v Saracens (13), Stade Félix Mayol (1.30pm)
beIN SPORTS / Premier Sports / SuperSport / FloRugby
Match 2: Leinster Rugby (2) v Harlequins (15), Croke Park (3pm)
RTE / Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby
Match 6: Castres Olympique (6) v Benetton Rugby (11), Stade Pierre-Fabre (4pm)
beIN SPORTS / France TV / EPCRugby.TV / PremierSports / SuperSport / FloRugby
Match 8: Stade Rochelais (8) v Munster Rugby (9), Stade Marcel Deflandre (6.30pm)
beIN SPORTS / PremierSports / SuperSport / FloRugby
Match 7: Glasgow Warriors (7) v Leicester Tigers (10), Scotstoun Stadium (8pm)
Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby
Sunday 6 April
Match 1: Union Bordeaux-Bègles (1) v Ulster Rugby (16), Stade Chaban-Delmas (1.30pm)
beIN SPORTS / PremierSports / SuperSport / FloRugby
Match 5: Stade Toulousain (5) v Sale Sharks (12), Stadium Municipal de Toulouse (4pm)
France TV / beIN SPORTS / Premier Sports / SuperSport / Flo Rugby
Quarter-finals - 11/12/13 April
QF 1: Winner R16 1 v Winner R16 8
QF 2: Winner R16 2 v Winner R16 7
QF 3: Winner R16 3 v Winner R16 6
QF 4: Winner R16 4 v Winner R16 5
NB The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage
Semi-finals - 2/3/4 May
SF 1: Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 4
SF 2: Winner QF 2 v Winner QF 3
NB The matches will be played in Europe and where relevant the highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home country advantage
2025 Investec Champions Cup Final - Saturday 24 May, Principality Stadium, Cardiff (2.45pm local time).
EPCR CHALLENGE CUP
Round of 16
(Pool stage rankings in brackets / All kick-offs local times)
Friday 4 April
Match 3: Edinburgh Rugby (3) v Emirates Lions (14), Hive Stadium (8pm)
Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / Supersport / FloRugby
Match 7: Section Paloise (7) v Bath Rugby (10), Stade du Hameau (9pm)
beIN SPORTS / EPCRugby.TV / FloRugby
Saturday 5 April
Match 6: Aviron Bayonnais (6) v Vodacom Bulls (11), Stade Jean-Dauger (1.30pm)
France TV / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / EPCRugby.tv / FloRugby
Match 2: Montpellier Hérault Rugby (2) v Gloucester Rugby (15), GGL Stadium (6.30pm)
beIN SPORTS / EPCRugby.TV / FloRugby
Match 1: Connacht Rugby (1) v Cardiff Rugby (16), Dexcom Stadium (8pm)
PremierSports / beIN Sports / FloRugby
Match 8: USAP (8) v Racing 92 (9), Stade Aimé Giral (9pm)
beIN SPORTS / EPCRugby.TV / FloRugby
Sunday 6 April
Match 4: Ospreys (4) v Scarlets (13), Swansea.com Stadium (5.30pm)
S4C / beIN SPORTS / EPCRugby.TV / FloRugby
Match 5: Lyon Olympique Universitaire (5) v Hollywoodbets Sharks (12), Matmut Stadium de Gerland (6.30pm)
beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / epcrugby.tv / FloRugby
Quarter-finals - 11/12/13 April
QF 1: winner R16 1 v winner R16 8
QF 2: winner R16 2 v winner R16 7
QF 3: winner R16 3 v winner R16 6
QF 4: winner R16 4 v winner R16 5
NB The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage.
Semi-finals - 2/3/4 May
SF 1: winner QF 1 v winner QF 4
SF 2: winner QF 2 v winner QF 3
NB The matches will be played in Europe and where relevant the highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage.
2025 EPCR Challenge Cup Final - Friday, 23 May; Principality Stadium Cardiff (8pm local time)
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