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Investec Champions Cup

"The greatest club rugby competition in the world"

Investec is proud to be the title sponsor of the Investec Champions Cup. With some of the biggest names in world rugby putting in exhilarating, high-intensity performances this tournament is truly out of the ordinary.

The champions of season 2025/2026 celebrating

 

Get your tickets now!

Pay with your Investec Visa Platinum or Infinite card and receive 10% off standard pricing.
To claim your discount: click “Add promo code or
voucher,” then enter the first 8 digits of your Investec Visa card (without
spaces).

Vodacom Bulls vs Union Bordeaux Bègles

Vodacom Bulls vs Bristol Bears

DHL Stormers vs Stade Rochelais

DHL Stormers vs Leicester Tigers

Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Saracens

Hollywoodbets Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne

Win your share of R300 000!

Supporters at Investec Champions Cup game

 

R50 000 per SA pool game — R25 000 for you and R25 000 donated to the Promaths Bursary Fund on your behalf. 

Take your seat and make a difference. 
T&Cs apply. 

2025 highlights: Watch all the action in 30 seconds

2025 / 2026 fixtures

24
Number of clubs competing

The Investec Champions Cup kicks off on the weekend of the 5th December, with the finals to be held in Bilbao on the 23rd May 2026. 

The following day, reigning Investec Champions Cup holders Union Bordeaux Bègles will begin their title defence with a tough away fixture against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.

Within the 24 clubs competing are 10 former champions who share a total of 25 Champions Cup titles, ensuring another standout season of high-octane rugby. 

  • Round 2

  • Round 3

  • Round 4

Dom McKay - EPCR Chairman
Dominic McKay , EPCR Chairman

With the Road to Bilbao now officially underway, we’re looking forward to a season packed with unforgettable moments as we build toward the 2026 Finals Weekend at San Mamés Stadium.

What does it take to be Out of the Ordinary: Hear from the players

Investec Champions Cup logo

Bordeaux Bègles Claim First Investec Champions Cup Title

Bordeaux Bègles secured their maiden Investec Champions Cup triumph with a 28–20 victory over Northampton Saints in a gripping final at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. In front of a crowd of over 70 000, the French side showcased tactical prowess and resilience to overcome the English challengers. 

The first half was a high-scoring affair, ending 20–20, with both teams exchanging tries and penalties. However, Bordeaux’s dominance in the second half, particularly through their forward pack and strategic kicking, kept Northampton scoreless after the break. 

Damian Penaud scored two tries in the final, bringing his total try-tally in the championship, to a recording breaking 12.  His out of the ordinary season was celebrated with the winger receiving the Investec Player of the Year award.

 

FINALS HIGHLIGHTS

1st

Investec Champions Cup title for Union Bordeaux-Bègles.

70,225

fans attended the Investec Champions Cup final, the largest attendance for a final in over a decade.

3

Champions Cups won with three different clubs for Arthur Retière (Stade Rochelais 2022, Stade Toulousain 2024, Union Bordeaux-Bègles 2025), the first player to achieve this feat.

14

tries scored by Damian Penaud (Union Bordeaux-Bègles) this season - a record.

2nd

EPCR Challenge Cup title for Bath Rugby after claiming their first in 2008.
Abey Mokgwatsane
Abey Mokgwatsane, Investec chief marketing officer

As an organisation firmly rooted in our purpose to create enduring worth, we look forward to partnering with the EPCR to create transformational value for spectators, players and communities.

 

A partnership driven by passion and purpose

Together, Investec and EPCR will focus on progressing towards a carbon-neutral tournament, advancing the women’s game and developing innovative financial solutions and wellness programmes tailored to players.

Investec's zebra mascot and Bryan Habana, former Springbok rugby player Zebra striped bucket-hats are a crowd favourite in SA and Europe! Bordeaux Begles fans at a capacity stadium Players move Investec zebra onto pitch to be part of the celebrations Team Investec with Cheslin Kolbe and the trophy Cardiff's Principality Stadium was the proud host of the final On the field action- Bordeaux Begles vs Northampton Saints Investec’s Marle van de Walt with Investec Player of the Year, Damian Penaud Ecstatic young Bordeaux Begles supporters Fani Titi, Investec Group Executive with EPCR Chairman Dominic McKay and EPCR CEO Jacques Raynaud
Investec's zebra mascot and Bryan Habana, former Springbok rugby player
Investec's zebra mascot and Bryan Habana, former Springbok rugby player
1/10
Zebra striped bucket-hats are a crowd favourite in SA and Europe!
Zebra striped bucket-hats are a crowd favourite in SA and Europe!
2/10
Bordeaux Begles fans at a capacity stadium
Bordeaux Begles fans at a capacity stadium
3/10
Players move Investec zebra onto pitch to be part of the celebrations
Players move Investec zebra onto pitch to be part of the celebrations
4/10
Team Investec with Cheslin Kolbe and the trophy
Team Investec with Cheslin Kolbe and the trophy
5/10
Cardiff's Principality Stadium was the proud host of the final
Cardiff's Principality Stadium was the proud host of the final
6/10
On the field action- Bordeaux Begles vs Northampton Saints
On the field action- Bordeaux Begles vs Northampton Saints
7/10
Investec’s Marle van de Walt with Investec Player of the Year, Damian Penaud
Investec’s Marle van de Walt with Investec Player of the Year, Damian Penaud
8/10
Ecstatic young Bordeaux Begles supporters
Ecstatic young Bordeaux Begles supporters
9/10
Fani Titi, Investec Group Executive with EPCR Chairman Dominic McKay and EPCR CEO Jacques Raynaud
Fani Titi, Investec Group Executive with EPCR Chairman Dominic McKay and EPCR CEO Jacques Raynaud
10/10
Investec's zebra mascot and Bryan Habana, former Springbok rugby player
Zebra striped bucket-hats are a crowd favourite in SA and Europe!
Bordeaux Begles fans at a capacity stadium
Players move Investec zebra onto pitch to be part of the celebrations
Team Investec with Cheslin Kolbe and the trophy
Cardiff's Principality Stadium was the proud host of the final
On the field action- Bordeaux Begles vs Northampton Saints
Investec’s Marle van de Walt with Investec Player of the Year, Damian Penaud
Ecstatic young Bordeaux Begles supporters
Fani Titi, Investec Group Executive with EPCR Chairman Dominic McKay and EPCR CEO Jacques Raynaud

Investec Champions Cup – FAQs

  • What is the Heineken Cup now called?

    The Investec Champions Cup is the official name of the European Rugby Champions Cup (formerly Heineken Cup).

  • Where to watch the Investec Champions Cup:

    • The Investec Champions Cup is broadcast by:
    • TNT Sports and ITV in the UK
    • SuperSport in South Africa
    • BT Sport, RET in Ireland 
    • beIN Sports in France
    • Sky Sport, ELEVEN, and epcrugby.tv in Italy

     

  • How does the Investec Champions Cup work?

    24 qualifying clubs are placed into four pools of six teams. In the pool stage, each team plays four matches (two home, two away). The four highest-ranked teams from each pool at the end of the pool stage progress to a knockout Round of 16, where 16 teams compete for 8 spots. The tournament then progresses to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals. 

  • When is the Investec Champions Cup Final?

    2025/26 weekends 

    • Round 1 – 05/06/07 December 2025 
    • Round 2 – 12/13/14 December 2025 
    • Round 3 – 09/10/11 January 2026 
    • Round 4 – 16/17/18 January 2026
    • Round of 16 – 03/04/05 April 2026 
    • Quarter-finals – 10/11/12 April 2026 
    • Semi-finals – 01/02/03 May 2026 2026 
    • EPCR Challenge Cup Final – San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao; Friday 22 May 
    • Investec Champions Cup Final – San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao; Saturday 23 May

  • Who has won the most Champions Cups?

    Toulouse is the most successful Champions Cup team, with five titles. 

  • Who are the current Investec Champions Cup holders?

    Bordeaux Begles

  • How many teams compete for the Champions Cup?

    24 teams from England, France, South Africa, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales compete for the Investec Champions Cup.

Learn more about Investec

About us
Sponsorships
Sustainability
Investec's official designations

(i) “Title Partner of the Investec Champions Cup”

(ii) “Official Bank & Wealth Management Partner of the Investec Champions Cup”

(iii) “Official Bank & Wealth Management Partner of EPCR Competitions”