Investec has been unveiled as the new title partner of the Investec Champions Cup, the world’s biggest club rugby competition, for the next five years.
It brings to an end the title partnership of Heineken which dates back almost unbroken to the creation of the tournament just short of 30 years ago in 1995.
The competition will retain its format and structure drawing the top eight clubs from each of English Premiership Rugby, the French Top 14 and the United Rugby Championship – including clubs from across Europe and South Africa.
Together, Investec and EPCR have set a focus on on progressing towards a carbon neutral tournament, advancing the women’s game and developing innovative financial solutions and wellness programmes tailored to players.
The partnership marks Investec’s return to rugby and follows a long history of sponsorships across both men’s and women’s sports, arts, and culture.
This history includes Investec’s sponsorships of England Rugby, Super Rugby Aotearoa, the Rugby Championship, and the Investec International Rugby Academy in South Africa.
Investec’s support of women in sport has extended into other sporting codes. This includes the sponsorship of the Great Britain and England women’s international hockey teams, the South African women’s hockey team, the Investec SA Women’s Open golf tournament and the sponsorship of professional women golfers.
Closer to home the company was also a partner in the successful 20×20 initiative driving advances in the perception and participation in Women’s sport.
Heineken remains as a Premium Partner of the tournament, with DHL and IHG Hotels and Resorts as Official Partners, Qatar Airways, Tissot, Gilbert and Kappa as Official Supporters.
“Following a record-breaking season for EPCR with over 1.3 million fans returning to stadiums and getting behind their clubs across the seven countries, in addition to further millions tuning into our broadcasters worldwide, it’s a brilliant time to welcome Investec into our growing partner family with such positivity surrounding the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR,” said EPCR Chair Dominick McKay.
“Our combined passion for the game will enable us to deliver our new ambitious strategy for the Investec Champions Cup as we seek to grow our audiences further around the world in an intentional and sustainable way.”
“We are proud to sponsor the world’s premier club rugby competition,” added Investec Chief Marketing Officer, Abey Mokgwatsane.
“The Investec Champions Cup embodies Out of the Ordinary sporting achievement and is a fantastic platform to further innovate in diversity, sustainability, and financial solutions.”
The Investec Champions Cup kicks off in early December with back-to-back winners Stade Rochelais reigniting their rivalry with last season’s runners-up Leinster Rugby.
The EPCR finals weekend, featuring the Investec Champions Cup showpiece match, will be staged at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 24 and 25 May 2024.
2023/24 weekends
Round 1 – 8/9/10 December 2023
Round 2 – 15/16/17 December 2023
Round 3 – 12/13/14 January 2024
Round 4 – 19/20/21 January 2024
Round of 16 – 5/6/7 April 2024
Quarter-finals – 12/13/14 April 2024
Semi-finals – 3/4/5 May 2024
EPCR Challenge Cup final – Friday 24 May 2024, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Investec Champions Cup final – Saturday 25 May 2024, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Leinster will play Stade Rochelais, Sale Sharks, Stade Francais and Leicester Tigers.
Munster will play Aviron Bayonnais, Toulon, Exeter and Northampton
Ulster will play Bath, Racing 92, Toulouse and Harlequins
Connacht will play Bordeaux, Saracens, Lyon and Bristol
