​The 2026-27 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures have been finalized. Munster will kick off their Champions Cup campaign with a home match against Racing 92 on 17 October, a day after the 10th anniversary of Anthony Foley’s passing. The province is also in discussions with Cork GAA about staging the game at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. In addition to the opener, Munster are set to face Bristol Bears and Bordeaux-Begles away, before welcoming Gloucester to Thomond Park.
Leinster, the beaten finalists from 2026, begin their pursuit of a fifth title with an away trip to Clermont on 17 October. Their group phase schedule includes home matches against Sale Sharks and Pau at venues to be confirmed, followed by a trip to Leicester Tigers.
Connacht will host Saracens on 17 October and then travel to Exeter Chiefs before welcoming six-time champions Toulouse to Galway. Their final group game is away to La Rochelle.
In the EPCR Challenge Cup, Ulster have away fixtures against Bayonne and Dragons, as well as away ties with Zebre and Perpignan. Richie Murphy’s side head into the competition hoping to go one better than their runners-up finish this year in Montpellier.
Champions Cup fixtures (times shown in BST and GMT)
Munster
– 17 October: Munster v Racing 92, venue TBC, 20:00
– 12 December: Bristol Bears v Munster, Ashton Gate, 20:00
– 10 January: Bordeaux-Begles v Munster, Stade Chaban Delmas, 16:15
– 16 January: Munster v Gloucester, Thomond Park, 17:30
Leinster
– 17 October: Clermont Auvergne v Leinster, Stade Marcel-Michelin, 15:15
– 12 December: Leinster v Sale Sharks, venue TBC, 17:30
– 09 January: Leinster v Pau, venue TBC, 17:30
– 16 January: Leicester Tigers v Leinster, Welford Road, 20:00
Connacht
– 17 October: Connacht v Saracens, Dexcom Stadium, 17:30
– 13 December: Exeter Chiefs v Connacht, Sandy Park, 13:00
– 09 January: Connacht v Toulouse, Dexcom Stadium, 20:00
– 16 January: La Rochelle v Connacht, Stade Marcel Deflandre, 17:30
Challenge Cup fixtures
Ulster
– 17 October: Zebre v Ulster, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, 15:15
– 12 December: Ulster v Bayonne, Affidea Stadium, 13:00
– 10 January: Perpignan v Ulster, Stade Aime Giral, 13:00
– 16 January: Ulster v Dragons, Affidea Stadium, 15:15
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