EPCR joins forces with Bilbao, the Province of Bizkaia and the Basque Government to celebrate Finals Weekend

The Mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, EPCR Chief Executive Officer, Jacques Raynaud, Deputy General of Bizkaia, Elixabete Etxanobe and The Vicelehendakari Primera, Ibone Bengoetxea outside the San Mamés Stadium.

The Road to Bilbao officially launched during a joint event at San Mamés Stadium with European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), the City of Bilbao, the Province of Bizkaia and the Basque Government. This event marks the beginning of a major collaboration between the Basque institutions and EPCR to host, in May 2026, the biggest weekend of international club rugby: the Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup Finals.

With the 2025/26 season getting under this evening, fan interest is already remarkable. Over 50% of the general public allocation for both Finals has been sold, representing almost 24 000 weekend tickets. This momentum confirms Bilbao’s strong appeal: 82% of ticket buyers are from outside Spain, including 49% from France and 16% from Great Britain.

The 2026 Finals promise an exceptional weekend, featuring two world-class contests and a projected attendance of more than 100 000 fans. In 2018, San Mamés already recorded an all-time EPCR Challenge Cup attendance record with 32 000 spectators as Cardiff Rugby narrowly beat Gloucester Rugby 31-30 to win the title. The 2026 edition is set to be even more ambitious.

The Mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, EPCR Chief Executive Officer, Jacques Raynaud, Deputy General of Bizkaia, Elixabete Etxanobe and The Vicelehendakari Primera, Ibone Bengoetxea.

The Basque institutions highlighted the strategic importance of hosting these Finals. The Mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, said: “This type of event is hugely important for the city and its residents. Beyond the sporting benefits, rugby brings strong values before and after the matches.”

He went onto praise “the work carried out by the Basque institutions to ensure everything runs smoothly” and thanked EPCR “for choosing the iconic San Mamés for the second time as an international stage”.

For the Basque Government, the significance goes well beyond sport. The Vicelehendakari Primera, Ibone Bengoetxea, stated: “These Finals represent the union between who we are as a people, our DNA and our roots and the values of this sport: community, effort, integrity, identity, respect, coexistence, diversity … We want those who attend to see more than a pitch: a united community and a vibrant sporting culture.”

This shared vision is fully aligned with EPCR’s. Jacques Raynaud, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to bring this exceptional weekend back to Bilbao. Our competitions bring together 42 clubs from the top leagues across Europe and South Africa, delivering unmatched intensity. Last season welcomed 1.5 million fans into stadiums and more than 90 million viewers across 100 territories. Bilbao can expect two world-class encounters and a significant economic impact for the region.”