Disclosure: We research and test the best streaming options for viewers in Ireland. If you subscribe or purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The 2025–26 Investec Champions Cup, or European Rugby Champions Cup, is Europe’s top‑tier club rugby competition. It begins on 5 December 2025 and runs through to the grand final on 23 May 2026 in Bilbao.
With diverse clubs from across the English Premiership, French Top 14, and the United Rugby Championship facing off, each round promises high‑stakes matchups, from pool battles to knockout showdowns.
Last season, Union Bordeaux Bègles triumphed, securing the title. It remains to be seen whether they can defend their crown or if a new champion will emerge in this thrilling season.
You can watch the European Rugby Champions Cup in Ireland on France.tv, S4C Channel via BBC iPlayer for free. Additionally, Premier Sports and TNT Sports are the premium channels that also broadcast live matches.
However, you’ll need a VPN to access the Champions Cup on France.tv, TNT Sports and S4C, as these broadcasts are geo-restricted in Ireland.
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S4C is a Welsh-language TV channel that broadcasts live sports, including rugby. It has been a key broadcaster of European club and regional rugby in Wales.
You can watch its free-to-air coverage of select matches from the European Rugby Champions Cup 2025–26, including the final, via BBC iPlayer.
However, since BBC iPlayer is a geo-restricted free streaming service. Therefore, using a premium VPN is necessary to unlock BBC iPlayer in Ireland.
Here’s how you can watch the European Rugby Champions Cup in Ireland for free:
Step 1: Subscribe to your VPN of choice (Surfshark is the best VPN)
Step 2: Download the Surfshark VPN App and install it on your device
Step 3: Connect to a UK server
Step 4: Open BBC iPlayer and click on Sign in
Step 5: Click Register Now
Step 6: Select whether you are under or over 13
Step 7: Enter your email
Step 8: Enter the 6-digit code sent to your email to verify your account
Step 9: Create a password
Step 10: Enter your age, UK postal code (e.g. SW1A 2AA), and Gender to register
Step 11: Choose whether you want BBC iPlayer’s updates via email or not
Step 12: Go to the home page and click on Channels
Step 13: Select S4C
Step 14: Click on the broadcast and enjoy streaming for free once the European Rugby Champions Cup is live!
I have listed down the best official channels & services for you to stream and get the best experience of the European Rugby Champions Cup in Ireland.
France.tv is an official broadcaster of the European Rugby Champions Cup, offering free live streaming of all matches. To watch the games, simply visit the France.tv website and create a free account.
However, France.tv is geo-restricted to its broadcasting region. To access the service from Ireland, you’ll need to use a VPN to bypass the restriction and enjoy the stream. Surfshark is our #1 choice.
Read More: Watch France.tv in Ireland
For the 2025‑26 season, Premier Sports holds the exclusive broadcasting rights for the Investec Champions Cup across Ireland and the UK. Every fixture, from pool matches through to the final, will be available live on Premier Sports.
You can stream every match on the Premier Sports channel via Sky, Now TV, or Virgin Media subscriptions. For instance, the NOW Sports Extra plan includes six premium sports channels across TNT Sports and Premier Sports, starting at just €14.99 /mo.
TNT Sports is a subscription-based live sports channel available in both Ireland and the United Kingdom. In addition, it is the official broadcaster for the European Rugby Champions Cup 2025-26, which will be shown under the name Investec Champions Cup.
You can watch all the action on TNT Sports via Discovery+. A subscription to TNT Sports on Discovery+ costs £30.99/month.
However, since the championship will be broadcast in the UK, you must connect to a reliable VPN to access the matches live on Discovery+ UK. Surfshark is the best VPN.
Read More: Watch TNT Sports in Ireland
You can stream the European Rugby Champions Cup on the go and catch all the action live on Premier Sports via the Now TV app. One of Ireland’s most popular streaming services, Now TV, offers flexible subscription options available monthly or annually.
Here’s how you can watch European Rugby Champions Cup in Ireland on Mobile Phones:
Step 1: Download the Now TV app from the Play Store or APK
Step 2: Open the app and click on the sidebar
Step 3: Choose Sports Membership
Step 4: Select your plan and click Claim offer
Step 5: Click Checkout
Step 6: Create your account by clicking Continue to checkout or sign in with your existing one
Step 7: Enter your credentials
Step 8: Choose your payment plan and enter your credentials to subscribe. Enjoy streaming!
Here is the updated schedule for the Investec Champions Cup in Irish Time:
| Date | Match | Time (GMT) |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | ||
| Fri 5 Dec 2025 | Sale Sharks vs Glasgow Warriors | 20:00 |
| Fri 5 Dec 2025 | Bayonne vs Stormers | 20:00 |
| Sat 6 Dec 2025 | Saracens vs ASM Clermont Auvergne | 13:00 |
| Sat 6 Dec 2025 | Bulls vs Union Bordeaux Begles | 15:15 |
| Sat 6 Dec 2025 | La Rochelle vs Leicester Tigers | 17:30 |
| Sat 6 Dec 2025 | Leinster vs Harlequins | 17:30 |
| Sat 6 Dec 2025 | Bath vs Munster | 20:00 |
| Sat 6 Dec 2025 | Scarlets vs Bristol Bears | 20:00 |
| Sun 7 Dec 2025 | Pau vs Northampton Saints | 13:00 |
| Sun 7 Dec 2025 | Toulouse vs Sharks | 15:15 |
| Sun 7 Dec 2025 | Gloucester vs Castres Olympique | 15:15 |
| Sun 7 Dec 2025 | Edinburgh vs Toulon | 17:30 |
| Round 2 | ||
| Fri 12 Dec 2025 | Leicester Tigers vs Leinster | 20:00 |
| Sat 13 Dec 2025 | Stormers vs La Rochelle | 13:00 |
| Sat 13 Dec 2025 | Sharks vs Saracens | 15:15 |
| Sat 13 Dec 2025 | ASM Clermont Auvergne vs Sale Sharks | 15:15 |
| Sat 13 Dec 2025 | Munster vs Gloucester | 17:30 |
| Sat 13 Dec 2025 | Union Bordeaux Begles vs Scarlets | 17:30 |
| Sat 13 Dec 2025 | Glasgow Warriors vs Toulouse | 20:00 |
| Sun 14 Dec 2025 | Castres Olympique vs Edinburgh | 13:00 |
| Sun 14 Dec 2025 | Harlequins vs Bayonne | 13:00 |
| Sun 14 Dec 2025 | Toulon vs Bath | 15:15 |
| Sun 14 Dec 2025 | Northampton Saints vs Bulls | 15:15 |
| Sun 14 Dec 2025 | Bristol Bears vs Pau | 17:30 |
| Round 3 | ||
| Fri 9 Jan 2026 | Castres Olympique vs Bath | 20:00 |
| Fri 9 Jan 2026 | Edinburgh vs Gloucester | 20:00 |
| Sat 10 Jan 2026 | Bulls vs Bristol Bears | 13:00 |
| Sat 10 Jan 2026 | ASM Clermont Auvergne vs Glasgow Warriors | 15:15 |
| Sat 10 Jan 2026 | Sale Sharks vs Sharks | 17:30 |
| Sat 10 Jan 2026 | Leinster vs La Rochelle | 17:30 |
| Sat 10 Jan 2026 | Leicester Tigers vs Bayonne | 20:00 |
| Sat 10 Jan 2026 | Scarlets vs Pau | 20:00 |
| Sun 11 Jan 2026 | Toulon vs Munster | 13:00 |
| Sun 11 Jan 2026 | Harlequins vs Stormers | 13:00 |
| Sun 11 Jan 2026 | Union Bordeaux Begles vs Northampton Saints | 15:15 |
| Sun 11 Jan 2026 | Saracens vs Toulouse | 17:30 |
| Round 4 | ||
| Fri 16 Jan 2026 | Bath vs Edinburgh | 20:00 |
| Fri 16 Jan 2026 | Pau vs Bulls | 20:00 |
| Sat 17 Jan 2026 | Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne | 13:00 |
| Sat 17 Jan 2026 | Bayonne vs Leinster | 15:15 |
| Sat 17 Jan 2026 | Stormers vs Leicester Tigers | 15:15 |
| Sat 17 Jan 2026 | Toulouse vs Sale Sharks | 17:30 |
| Sat 17 Jan 2026 | Munster vs Castres Olympique | 17:30 |
| Sat 17 Jan 2026 | Gloucester vs Toulon | 20:00 |
| Sun 18 Jan 2026 | Bristol Bears vs Union Bordeaux Begles | 13:00 |
| Sun 18 Jan 2026 | La Rochelle vs Harlequins | 15:15 |
| Sun 18 Jan 2026 | Northampton Saints vs Scarlets | 15:15 |
| Sun 18 Jan 2026 | Glasgow Warriors vs Saracens | 17:30 |
The 2025–26 European Rugby Champions Cup features 24 top rugby clubs from Europe and South Africa, competing for the prestigious title.
With 24 of the best rugby clubs from across Europe and South Africa, the pool draw has set the stage for fierce competition. Each of the 4 pools features a mix of domestic powerhouses and international challengers.
| Pool 1 | Pool 2 | Pool 3 | Pool 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stade Toulousain (Toulouse) | Bath Rugby (England) | Leinster Rugby (Ireland) | Union Bordeaux Bègles (France) |
| ASM Clermont Auvergne (Clermont) | RC Toulon (France) | Leicester Tigers (England) | Scarlets (Wales) |
| Hollywoodbets Sharks (South Africa) | Munster Rugby (Ireland) | Harlequins (England) | Bristol Bears (England) |
| Saracens (England) | Castres Olympique (France) | Stade Rochelais (La Rochelle, France) | Section Paloise (Pau, France) |
| Glasgow Warriors (Scotland) | Edinburgh Rugby (Scotland) | Aviron Bayonnais (France) | Northampton Saints (England) |
| Sale Sharks (England) | Gloucester Rugby (England) | DHL Stormers (South Africa) | Vodacom Bulls (South Africa) |
If you enjoy watching sports, we recommend some sports, including rugby:
1. What is the European Rugby Champions Cup?
The European Rugby Champions Cup is the premier club rugby competition in Europe, featuring the top teams from England, France, and the United Rugby Championship (URC). The tournament runs annually, with 24 teams competing for the prestigious title.
2. When does the 2025–26 Champions Cup start and end?
The tournament will begin on December 5, 2025, and the final will take place on May 23, 2026, at San Mamés in Bilbao, Spain.
3. How are teams qualified for the Champions Cup?
Teams qualify through their respective domestic leagues, including the Gallagher Premiership (England), Top 14 (France), and United Rugby Championship (URC), with spots awarded based on league performance or past European results.
4. How is the pool stage structured?
The 24 teams are divided into 4 pools, with 6 teams in each pool. Teams play four matches in the pool phase: two home and two away, with points awarded for wins, draws, and try bonuses.
5. When does the knockout stage begin?
The knockout stage begins with the Round of 16 in April 2026, followed by the quarter-finals (April 2026), semi-finals (May 2026), and the final on May 23, 2026.
The 2025–26 Champions Cup kicks off on 5 December, with pool‑stage action live across Premier Sports, and sets the scene for a dramatic run through to the final on 23 May 2026 in Bilbao.
You can watch European Rugby Champions Cup in Ireland on Premier Sports. You can also stream with a paid subscription on TNT Sports and for free on France.tv and S4C, with a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions. Surfshark is our #1 choice.
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