Champions Cup rugby trips

Compare accommodation

Some links earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

How the Champions Cup works in 2026–27

24 clubs enter four pools of six, with eight qualifiers from each of the Premiership, United Rugby Championship and Top 14. Teams play four pool matches against opponents from the other leagues. In 2026–27 the top three in each pool qualify automatically; four further round-of-16 places go to the best match-point totals across the remaining clubs. An attacking bonus requires at least three more tries than the opposition; a loss by seven points or fewer still earns a defensive bonus. Sale Sharks’ official explanation of EPCR’s changes and EPCR’s rule-change announcement explain the season.

Our advice: follow the official fixture and standings pages when choosing a match. The pool draw tells you potential opponents; the published schedule tells you where and when the game you can attend takes place. A table position can affect a later knockout trip, so keep flexible arrangements until the home club and ground are settled.

A European evening offers a fine reason to travel. The reward is meeting another club’s supporters in their own setting, seeing a ground you know only from broadcasts and giving the weekend a clear centrepiece. Choose a manageable first destination before attempting a demanding multi-country itinerary.

Confirmed · Sale Sharks: Champions Cup draw to be revealed on July 1st · EPCR: EPCR confirms Investec Champions Cup Tier 1 clubs, EPCR Challenge Cup invitees and competition rule changes · Checked on 13 October 2026.

The confirmed 2026–27 clubs

the English qualifiers are Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Gloucester, Leicester, Northampton, Sale and Saracens. France contributes Bordeaux-Bègles, Clermont, La Rochelle, Montpellier, Racing 92, Stade Français, Toulouse and Pau. URC qualifiers are Cardiff, Connacht, Glasgow, Leinster, Munster, Bulls, Stormers and Lions. EPCR’s confirmed clubs and the official club announcement give the roster.

The South African teams widen the travel decisions substantially. For Bulls, Stormers or Lions away trips, settle the named fixture venue, flights, accommodation, entry requirements and travel insurance before committing. A European home match against one of those teams can offer a less demanding introduction to the same tournament rivalry.

The linked ground guides below also include destinations useful for other union competitions and future seasons. Select the fixture on the official current list first, then choose its venue guide. A famous club ground remains a worthwhile travel idea even when the club’s European competition changes between seasons.

Confirmed · EPCR: Investec Champions Cup 2026/27: 24 clubs confirmed · Sale Sharks: Champions Cup draw to be revealed on July 1st · Checked on 13 October 2026.

English club-ground guides

Plan the confirmed English qualifiers with Bath at The Rec, Bristol at Ashton Gate, Exeter at Sandy Park, Gloucester at Kingsholm, Leicester at Welford Road, Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens, Sale’s home ground and Saracens’ home ground.

For other English union weekends, compare Harlequins at The Stoop and Newcastle’s ground. The Premiership guide connects the domestic visits; Twickenham covers the separate national-stadium occasion.

Our planning preference for a first away trip is a journey with one straightforward arrival point and a return you can explain easily. A lower fare with several changes can consume the time you hoped to spend with friends. Compare the whole journey, including the final leg from the station, rather than ranking weekends by the headline ticket price alone.

Scottish, Welsh, Irish and Italian trips

Use the URC guide alongside the fixture. Scottish trips include Glasgow at Scotstoun and Edinburgh Rugby’s home; the separate national stadium is Murrayfield.

Welsh destinations include Cardiff Arms Park, Dragons at Rodney Parade, Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets and Ospreys’ current home. Principality Stadium is a different Cardiff occasion.

Irish guides cover Munster at Thomond Park, Leinster’s Dublin home programme, Ulster in Belfast and Connacht in Galway, with Aviva Stadium for Dublin’s national ground. Italian club trips include Benetton in Treviso and Zebre in Parma; Rome’s Stadio Olimpico covers international rugby.

Our advice: compare the club’s particular home venue before choosing a city hotel. A provincial name can include more than one ground in its programme. Current admission instructions settle the route and access arrangements much better than an old fixture memory.

French club weekends

Choose from Toulouse at Ernest-Wallon, La Rochelle at Marcel Deflandre, Bordeaux-Bègles at Chaban-Delmas, Clermont at Marcel-Michelin and Stade Français and Racing’s Paris-region programme. Other French union destinations include Toulon at Mayol and USAP at Aimé-Giral.

The Stade de France is a different destination from either Paris club ground. For a wider break, use our Paris weekend planner. Browse every French venue guide before deciding which trip fits your group.

Our opinion: allow a spare day when crossing the Channel for rugby. It gives companions time for their own interests, allows an unhurried meal and makes a delayed arrival less likely to erase the whole visit. Leave a long excursion until after the match if it competes with the final stadium journey.

Book in a sensible order

Choose the confirmed fixture, buy official admission, then match accommodation and transport to the named ground. Keep flexibility where a date or kick-off remains provisional. For a knockout match, let confirmed qualification and home advantage settle the destination before making an inflexible journey purchase.

Our advice: compare two realistic stay areas and calculate the return from each. A room close to the stadium may reduce the late journey, while a city-centre base can suit meals, sightseeing and the arrival station. Read cancellation terms, occupancy, arrival arrangements and taxes before paying. Ask the property directly about access needs and luggage storage.

For the game itself, use the host club’s admission and bag rules. Keep mobile tickets with their users where distribution is permitted, charge devices and decide how friends will meet after the whistle. Families should build food, toilets and rest into the day. Travellers requiring assistance should arrange the stadium route and transport together.

Use the ticket guide, travel planning, accessibility questions and the stay guide to turn the idea into bookings. A calm plan leaves you free to enjoy the company and the rugby.

European away-trip questions

Does being in the same pool mean clubs play one another? The official format separates the opponents by their domestic leagues. Use the published fixture list to identify the four matches your club plays, rather than assuming every possible pool pairing becomes a game.

Can I book a knockout trip before qualification? Our advice is to keep any early plans flexible. The eventual opponent, home side and chosen ground affect the journey. A refundable room may preserve an option, but read its deadline and terms rather than assuming it can be cancelled indefinitely.

How much time should I allow abroad? Choose enough time to arrive without making admission depend on a perfect flight or train connection. A spare evening or morning can make the visit better for the whole group. Compare the match’s final time with departure-day travel, including baggage collection and the last leg to your station or airport.

Should I choose a hotel by the ground? It depends on the weekend. Our preference is the location that serves the most important journeys: arrival, stadium, meal and departure. A room near the ground can simplify the final evening; a central room can make the rest of the stay easier. Check both routes before booking.

What should I do when a club changes venue? Update the local journey, seating assumptions and assistance arrangements together. Tell companions the new ground and keep its directions with the ticket. A familiar home-team name does not mean every building, entrance or transport service remains familiar.

Keep the journey home realistic

Our advice: leave a comfortable margin after the final whistle. Applause, a crowded exit, a meal and collecting luggage all consume time before a station or airport transfer. Compare that complete sequence with your booked departure. Staying another night can be the better choice when the alternative makes everyone watch the clock throughout the closing stages.

Choose your overnight base

Some links earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Plan your next step