It may be mid-Summer, but the narrative of sport always has us looking around the next corner, and the next. This week, the fixture details were published for Leinster and Munster Rugby’s campaigns in the 2025/26 Investec European Champions Cup.
The road to Bilbao begins in earnest on Saturday, December 6, with both provinces set to launch their 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup campaigns following the official release of pool fixtures, dates, and kick-off times.
Next season’s final will take place at the iconic San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao – a venue steeped in Irish rugby history as the site of Leinster’s most recent EPCR title triumph in 2018. All eyes now turn to whether either Irish province can recreate that glory come May 23, 2026.
Leinster’s path through Pool 3 begins at home to Harlequins (venue TBC) on Saturday, December 6 at 5.30 pm. They’ll then hit the road on Friday, December 12, for a high-profile clash against Leicester Tigers.
In one of the most anticipated ties of the tournament, Leo Cullen’s side will renew rivalries with Stade Rochelais for the sixth successive season. Leinster will host the French outfit on Saturday, January 10, hoping to follow up on last year’s tense 16-14 away win.
Their final pool game sees them travel to the imposing Stade Jean Dauger to face Bayonne on Saturday, January 17. It will mark Leinster’s first visit to the fortress-like venue where the Top 14 semi-finalists were unbeaten in all 14 home matches last season.
Munster, now led by incoming head coach Clayton McMillan, open their Pool 2 campaign with a trip to the Recreation Ground to face Bath, and a reunion with former boss Johann van Graan, on Saturday, December 6.
That will be followed by a landmark occasion on Saturday, December 13, as Munster host Gloucester at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The 45,300-capacity stadium in Cork will host its first ever Champions Cup fixture, adding to its growing rugby legacy after Munster’s memorable outings there against South Africa ‘A’ and the Crusaders.
McMillan’s side will then travel to face Toulon on Sunday, January 11, before wrapping up the pool stage with a Thomond Park clash against Castres Olympique on Saturday, January 17. It will be the 20th Champions Cup meeting between the sides, with Castres narrowly edging last season’s encounter 16-14.
The fixture schedule was finalised following extensive consultation and collaboration across leagues, clubs, and broadcast partners.
“We’re thrilled to unveil the full fixture list for the 2025/26 season,” said EPCR Chairman Dominic McKay.
“After a standout year marked by record-breaking growth across TV, digital, and live attendance, we’re eager to build on that momentum.”
“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,” added CEO Jaques Raynaud.
The knockout stages begin in April, culminating in the Bilbao showpiece on Saturday, May 23.
IRISH PROVINCES’ POOL FIXTURES
ROUND 1 – Saturday, December 6
Leinster v Harlequins, venue TBC, 5.30pm
Bath Rugby v Munster, Recreation Ground, 8pm
ROUND 2 – Friday, December 12 & Saturday, December 13
Leicester Tigers v Leinster, Mattioli Woods Welford Road, 8pm (Dec 12)
Munster v Gloucester Rugby, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 5.30pm (Dec 13)
ROUND 3 – Saturday, January 10 & Sunday, January 11
Leinster v Stade Rochelais, venue TBC, 5.30pm (Jan 10)
RC Toulon v Munster, Stade Mayol, 2pm local / 1pm Irish time (Jan 11)
ROUND 4 – Saturday, January 17
Aviron Bayonnais v Leinster, Stade Jean Dauger, 4.15 pm local / 3.15pm Irish time
Munster v Castres Olympique, Thomond Park, 5.30pm
Round of 16 – April 3/4/5
Quarter-Finals – April 10/11/12
Semi-Finals – May 1/2/3
Final – San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao – Saturday, May 23, 2026
Sport for Business Events
Find out More about Our Sport for Business Events Programme Here
The Latest Sport for Business Podcasts
Further Reading for Sport for Business members:
Check out more of our Sport for Business coverage of Rugby
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
Sport for Business is in planning for major events bringing together leaders in Irish Sport and Business across a range of subjects in the second half of the year.
On Thursday, August 29th we will host a special event looking at Future Proofing Irish Sport including the use of AI in sport. Then in September we will host our Annual Children in Sport Conference, in October, our Annual Sport for Social Good Event, in November a new event focused on Sustainability in Sport and in December our 12th Annual Women in Sport Conference.
Find out More about Our Sport for Business Events Programme Here
MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
Leinster Rugby and Munster Rugby, Ulster Rugby and Connacht Rugby, as well as all the leading sporting and business organisations in and around the world of sport are among the 300+ members of the Sport for Business community.
This includes all of the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies, individuals interested in our world, and an increasing number from beyond these shores taking a keen interest in Ireland.
Find out more about becoming a member today.
Or sign up for our twice-daily bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.
Sign up for our News Bulletins here.
