EPCR rugby action returns with growing viewership, blockbuster fixtures and the fastest-ever sold-out Investec Champions Cup Final
- EPCR Media
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup return this weekend, with knockout international club rugby action kicking off on Friday.
Following a hugely successful pool stage, the 32 clubs qualified for the Round of 16 across both competitions will be looking to progress down the Road to Bilbao.
Spectators in stadia and viewership figures continued to rise across the Pool stages, with over 931 000 fans flooding into stadia to watch the action live, on track for another record-breaking attendance total for the season.
Following standout EPCR pool stages, UK and Ireland broadcast partner Premier Sports has seen a 27% uplift in audience reach across the opening four rounds versus last season. This momentum is driven by continued growth across the broadcaster’s Amazon channels, linear across Sky and Virgin and OTT platforms via the Premier Sports App.
A 36-strong TV talent team will front Premier Sports’ live coverage across 11 matches in three days, delivering around 28 hours of top-flight live rugby featuring the very best of international club competition – the ultimate Easter rugby treat for fans across the UK and Ireland.
Meanwhile, French broadcast partner beIN SPORTS recorded a 15% year-on-year increase in viewership for the Investec Champions Cup. Stade Toulousain remains the most popular club to watch, with an average of 341 000 viewers against Saracens and 332 000 viewers against the Hollywoodbets Sharks.
YouTube continues to grow as the go-to free-to-view destination for full matches, highlights and short-form content. The platform has become a growth lever, with viewership more-than trebling over the course of the past two seasons and a projected 27-million views for the 2025/26 season.
The Bilbao 2026 Finals Weekend is set to be a blockbuster weekend of Test match rugby in club colours, and the showpiece Investec Champions Cup Final (Saturday 23 May) has already become the fastest General Admission sell-out*.
Tickets are still available for Friday night’s EPCR Challenge Cup Final (Friday 22 May), priced from just €35, as well as hospitality and Destination Champions Club packages (which include hotel and weekend tickets).
With demand expected to be high again next season for a superb Finals weekend in France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon, fans are being encouraged to sign up to EPCR’s newsletter The Offload to get first access to tickets and ensure they don’t miss out on the Lyon 2027 Finals.
EPCR’s CEO Jacques Raynaud commented: “EPCR has delivered 83 pool stage matches, with results going down to the very final whistle. We are now into the knockout rounds, 16 clubs in each competition, bidding to make it to next week’s quarter-finals.
“We have welcomed 931 000 fans into stadia, seen an increase in broadcast audiences, an increase in positive engagements on our digital channels, and a huge uplift of viewership on YouTube – which is rapidly becoming the go-to hub for short-form consumption, as has been seen across the industry.
“With nine broadcast slots featuring up to three matches across both competitions from Friday evening to Sunday evening, this weekend is an EPCR takeover weekend – from the thrill of Friday night lights to the last match deciding the final quarter-final on Sunday evening. We extend our thanks to all our partner broadcasters – Premier Sports, beIN SPORTS, France Télévisions, SuperSport and FloRugby.
“All eyes are on the 16 clubs in each competition, competing in high-stakes rugby featuring global superstars and hugely exciting rivalries – this is truly where extraordinary happens.”
*Ticket allocations for Finalist clubs have been reserved.
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