The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup seasons are now well underway, with two Rounds complete for the 42 teams, marking the start of the Road to Cardiff for the competitions at the heart of international club ruby.
Making history on and off the pitch, the competitions have got off to a record-breaking start. A 5% increase in matchday attendance compared to Rounds 1 and 2 last season highlights the growth for rugby’s elite club competitions. Fan engagement has also significantly increased with over 4 million views on YouTube representing a 115% year-on-year increase, and an 83% increase in website users since the start of season compared to last year. All this is underpinned by the incredible sporting moments on the pitch that tell a story of growth and development.
Sell-out stadiums and history-making moments
Not even Storm Darragh could hold the fans back in Round 1, with people flocking to stadiums to support their teams across Europe and South Africa. On average, there was a remarkable 5% increase in matchday attendance across both the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup after 2 Rounds with fans eager to be part of the action first-hand.
French club RC Vannes made their debut in the EPCR Challenge Cup this season, and when Enzo Benmegal scored a try in less than one minute of their Gloucester Rugby clash, fans knew they were in for a treat. Spurred on by a sell-out home crowd at La Rabine stadium, the team went on to make history, securing their first victory in the competition, and proving themselves as formidable contenders on the European stage.
The Round 1 clashes between Aviron Bayonnais v Scarlets and Stade Toulousain v Ulster Rugby also saw sell-out crowds, while Gqeberha’s Nelson Mandela Stadium hosted over 23 000 fans for its first Investec Champions Cup match as DHL Stormers faced triple-Champions Cup winners RC Toulon.
Eight nations and sporting moments to remember
42 teams from eight countries feature in the competitions - England, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa and Wales - highlighting rugby’s commitment to inclusivity, with all nations showing moments of brilliance in the opening rounds.
In the Investec Champions Cup, French sides are currently top of three of the four pool tables, with defending Champions Stade Toulousain having laid down an early statement of intent.
Having scored 61 points and nine tries in their opening match against Ulster, Stade Toulousain remarkably improved on that in their Round 2 clash against Exeter, with a 64-21 victory that included 10 tries.
Not ones to take things for granted, head coach Ugo Mola pragmatically summed up the thinking inside the Toulouse camp in post-match interviews.
"We have to work for the team we want to become ... Even if it seems good now. Being champion in December is being champion of nothing."
There have also been impressive victories for English clubs, with Saracens and Northampton Saints winning both of their opening matches, and Sale Sharks, Harlequins and Leicester Tigers securing impressive victories in Round 2.
The Tigers’ South African flyhalf Handrè Pollard converted six of his side’s eight tries and took a try for himself, for which he was crowned Investec Player of the Match.
Speaking about the competition in his post-match interview, he said: “This is the ultimate club competition - you measure yourself against the best, and that’s what you want to do as a rugby player - it’s great. You play in different conditions; in different countries and it’s an unbelievable competition.”
For 2024 Irish runners up Leinster, two wins from two puts them in a strong position, even if by their own admission, their Round 2 match against ASM Clermont Auvergne was ‘scrappy’. All Black star Jordie Barrett has had a big influence on the team and while Barrett may be the star attraction, 21-year-old Sam Prendergast is quickly making his impact felt with his superb displays.
Speaking after the Round 2 match, Prendergast said: “I love playing with this team in these (Investec Champions Cup) games. They’re my first two starts in (the Investec Champions Cup) and I’ve really enjoyed it.
“I just want to be part of the team improving as well … Learn off all the experience that’s in the team and try to keep getting better.”
Italian team Benetton also impressed, securing a sensational victory over Bath Rugby in the 79th minute of their Round 2 fixture in Treviso to take the win by one point.
And while the South African clubs may not have got their season off the start they hoped, Hollywoodbets Sharks are still well in contention to qualify for the knockout rounds, following a Round 1 home win.
In the EPCR Challenge Cup, it was an historic opening round for Georgia’s Black Lion who secured their very first competition home win against newcomers RC Vannes.
And there were Welsh celebrations in Round 2 as Cardiff Rugby, Scarlets and Dragons RFC won their respective matches to keep their hopes of making it through the Pool stages alive.
An eight-try Round 2 win for Edinburgh Rugby against Aviron Bayonnais kept Scottish hopes alive, giving fans of all competing nations hope for the remaining qualifying rounds.
Record-breaking digital engagement
Thousands of new fans have headed to the official social media channels to get match insights and behind the scenes content, pushing engagements levels and video views to record-breaking numbers during the first two Rounds.
A new strategy and approach to digital has seen unprecedented growth and engagement, including over 4 million video views on YouTube – a 115% year-on-year increase. The official websites have also broken records, with almost 650 000 users, representing an 83% increase on last season.
World-wide broadcast coverage
Fans around the globe have been able to witness these incredible sporting moments come to life thanks to comprehensive global broadcast coverage in all competing nations home markets, as well as a further 90+ territories through broadcast partnerships in key geographies.
France TV saw peak audiences of over 2 million for Union Bordeaux-Bègles and RC Toulon’s second round fixtures, as well as more than 2.4 million people tuning in for Stade Toulousain’s Round 1 match. Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ saw peaks of over 300 000 views, while SuperSport saw increased viewership in South Africa.
Premier Sports made its competition debut as UK and Ireland broadcaster, breaking new ground in both streaming and linear broadcast of the competitions, delivering premium coverage underpinned by an expert commentary team.
Former Wasps, England and British and Irish Lions legend and now Premier Sports Pundit Lawrence Dallagio said: “It’s the greatest club competition in the world, it’s international rugby in a club jersey.
“You see world-class players, world-class stadiums and world-class performances. I have been lucky enough to play for some good teams with Lions and England and I can safely say my two Heineken Cup medals rank right up there as some of the best moments of my career and in our lives as rugby players.
“For (the pundits), it’s about celebrating what’s out there on the field and our job is to bring that to life and to try to be the soundtrack for all the people at home. It’s great to be part of. I have been lucky to be part of a lot of broadcast teams from World Cups to domestic rugby and international club rugby and I decided to join Premier Sports as we have the best rugby competition to be working on.”
The road to Cardiff 2025 and the 30th Champions Cup Final
The 2025 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Finals are set to bring the city of Cardiff alive when it heads to the Welsh capital on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 May 2025.
The renowned 74 000-seater Principality Stadium is widely regarded as one of the world’s great sporting venues with the priority ticket sale window quickly selling-out for what is set to be one of the biggest weekends in international club rugby.
Cardiff has a long and illustrious connection with EPCR having staged high-profile Champions Cup deciders on seven previous occasions. The cities former National Stadium hosted the Champions Cup on two occasions, including the inaugural edition in 1996, won by now-six-time winners Stade Toulousain.
"The response to the hosting the Finals in Cardiff has been remarkable," said EPCR Chairman Dominic McKay.
"Wales has a proud rugby heritage and this has been reflected in the demand for tickets so early on. We’re excited to bring this highly anticipated 30th Final to Cardiff."
Reflecting on the opening Rounds of the season, McKay continued: “This season has got off to an incredible start and we can proudly say the fans are more engaged than ever.
“The record-breaking attendance in stadiums and the huge uplift in our digital engagement demonstrates the strength of the competition, fuelled by the incredible sporting moments on the pitch. In our 30th season, we are proud to continue making history and taking the competition to new levels.
“Looking ahead, we are committed to improving and evolving our competitions with the support of our Leagues and Board, and we continue to work closely with the clubs, leagues, unions, match officials, broadcasters, partners and all stakeholders to collectively ensure the sustainable development of not only our competitions but club rugby.”
For the clubs, two Pool stages remain for them to secure their place in the knockout stage rounds and target the all-important home advantage. The action starts again on Friday 10 January when Glasgow Warriors will welcome Racing 92 to the Scoustoun Stadium to kick off Round 3 of the Investec Champions Cup. In the EPCR Challenge Cup, the action gets underway on the same day, with Gloucester Rugby hosting Scarlets at Kingsholm.
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