Investec Champions Cup Tier 1 teams and EPCR Challenge Cup invited clubs confirmed ahead of Wednesday’s pool draw for 2026/27.

Ahead of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Pool Draws for the 2026/27 season, EPCR has confirmed the Tier 1 clubs for the Investec Champions Cup draw, the invitee clubs for the EPCR Challenge Cup, and two tournament rule changes that will come into effect for the new season. 

The Pool Draws will take place at the Premier Sports studios in Dublin on Wednesday 1 July and will be available to watch live at epcrugby.com, setting the stage for another thrilling season of elite club rugby.

Investec Champions Cup Tier 1 clubs confirmed

Following the conclusion of the domestic leagues, the Tier 1 clubs for the Investec Champions Cup Pool Draw have been confirmed.

Defending Investec Champions Cup winners Union Bordeaux Bègles?will be joined by this season's?TOP 14 champions Stade Toulousain,?Gallagher PREM champions Northampton Saints, and?United Rugby Championship winners Leinster Rugby. 

As part of the draw process, each Tier 1 club will be placed into a separate pool, ensuring a balanced draw and the prospect of blockbuster fixtures from the opening rounds of the competition. 

For the full Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Pool Draw principles, click here.

Black Lion and Toyota Cheetahs return to EPCR Challenge Cup as invitees

EPCR is pleased to confirm that?Black Lion?and the?Toyota Cheetahs?will return to the EPCR Challenge Cup following approval from the EPCR Board. 

Georgia’s Black Lion has been invited to participate for a further two seasons, while the South African Toyota Cheetahs return for the upcoming campaign, completing the 18-team competition line-up. 

The two clubs will join eight teams from the United Rugby Championship, six from the TOP 14 and two from the Gallagher PREM in a competition that continues to grow in strength and international reach. 

The invitations follow a competitive tender process that attracted interest from clubs across multiple countries, highlighting the increasing appeal and profile of the EPCR Challenge Cup. 

Both clubs satisfied the required participation criteria, including establishing a European home base, demonstrating the ability to field a competitive squad and meeting EPCR’s minimum match standards. 

Read more here.

Rule changes for 2026/27 season

EPCR has confirmed two tournament rule changes that will be introduced from the 2026/27 season following the regular review of the competition rules. 

The review process involved extensive consultation with EPCR stakeholders, including the three leagues - the Gallagher PREM, United Rugby Championship and TOP 14. 

The changes are designed to enhance the competitiveness and intensity of the Pool stage fixtures by enhancing the battle for qualification to the Round of 16, and ensuring matches stay competitive for longer. 

While these changes will be implemented from the 2026/27 season, the overall eight-week structure and format of both competitions will remain unchanged.

Rule change 1: Qualification into the Round of 16

Investec Champions Cup 

In a change to previous seasons, in which the four highest-ranked clubs in each pool all automatically qualified for the Round of 16, only the top three teams from each Pool will automatically qualify.  

From 2026/27: 

• The three highest-ranked clubs in each pool will automatically qualify. 
• The remaining four Round of 16 places will go to the four Wildcard clubs with the highest number of match points across all pools, regardless of which Pool they are in. 
• The four places in the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 will be awarded to the next four clubs with the highest number of match points, also regardless of which pool they are in.

This means clubs finishing below fourth place in their respective pool can still qualify, but only if they have enough points compared to clubs from other pools. 

In a change to how ranking will be determined, if two clubs are tied on match points, the club with the most number of wins will be awarded higher ranking, before best points difference is taken into consideration.  

Click HERE for the detailed rules including how ranking will be determined. 

Click HERE to watch a video further explaining the Investec Champions Cup rule change .  

EPCR Challenge Cup 

Qualification for the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 will follow the same methodology, adapted to suit the slightly different configuration of the EPCR Challenge Cup. 

From 2026/27: 

• The three highest-ranked clubs in each pool will automatically qualify for the Round of 16. 
• The remaining three Round of 16 places will go to the three clubs with the highest number of match points across all pools, regardless of which pool they are in. 
• Four clubs will continue to drop down from the Investec Champions Cup and join the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16, as outlined above.

Ranking will be determined along the same criteria as the Investec Champions Cup, with match wins taking precedence over points difference to separate two clubs tied on match points. 

Click HERE for the detailed rules including how ranking will be determined. 

Click HERE to watch a video further explaining the EPCR Challenge Cup rule change.

Rule change 2. Try Bonus Points

EPCR is changing the system by which Offensive Bonus Points are awarded, awarding bonus points for attacking performance if a team scores three or more tries more than their opposition. 

The purpose of this change is to reward teams who continue to play attacking rugby AND who remain resolute in defence once victory appears certain, effectively ensuring tournament matches stay competitive for longer.

The change will also enable teams to deny their opponents an offensive bonus point if their defensive intensity drops, the status of the offensive bonus will remain uncertain until the conclusion of each fixture. 

Unchanged to previous seasons, the defensive bonus point will remain available if a defeated team can limit the margin of defeat to seven points or fewer.