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Get ready for all the drama of the 2025‑26 EPCR Challenge Cup, the second‑tier European Rugby Champions Cup under European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR).
The season begins with pool‑stage action starting 5‑7 December 2025, progresses through knockout rounds in April and May, and builds toward the grand finale on 22 May 2026 at San Mamés in Bilbao
You can watch European Rugby Challenge Cup in Canada for free on France.tv and BBC iPlayer. With a paid subscription, a live stream of the Champions Cup is available on FloRugby.
However, the mentioned free live streaming services are unavailable in Canada due to geo-restrictions. I recommend using a VPN to watch live matches on the geo-restricted platforms.
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When & Where is the European Rugby Challenge Cup Happening?
- Location: Multiple locations across Europe and South Africa
- Starting from: Friday, 5 December 2025
- Final Match: 22 May 2026
- Teams: 18 teams
- Opening Match: Ulster Rugby vs Racing 92
- Where to Watch: France.tv, Flo Sport, and S4C via BBC iPlayer.
How to Watch European Rugby Challenge Cup in Canada for Free
France.tv is an official broadcaster of the European Rugby Challenge 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.
Here’s how to watch the European Challenge Cup in Ireland for free using a VPN:
Step 1: Subscribe to a reliable VPN service (Surfshark is the best VPN)
Step 2: Download the Surfshark VPN App and install it on your device.
Step 3: Open the app and connect to a French server.
Step 4: Visit France.tv website and click on Sign in
Step 5: Sign in if you already have an account, or else click on Create an account
Step 6: Enter your details to create your account and French Zip Code (e.g., 51200).
Step 7: Once redirected to the home page, search for EPCR Challenge Cup and select the sport.
Step 8: Enjoy the free streaming once it is live.
How to Watch European Rugby Challenge Cup in Canada on Phones
Catch all the action of the 2025–26 European Rugby Challenge Cup in Canada exclusively on FloRugby. Here, you can stream every exciting match from the pool stage to the final, live and on demand.
Moreover, the platform offers live streaming on both the official website and app, with a subscription available for just $29.99/mo or $149.88/yr.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to watch the European Rugby Champions Cup on FloRugby through your phone’s browser:
Step 1: Go to the FloRugby official website and tap on sign up
Step 2: Choose any suitable subscription plan
Step 3: Create your account by entering your email and new password
Step 4: Enter your credit card or PayPal details to pay for the subscription
Step 5: Once signed up, select the live broadcast of the European Rugby Champions Cup
Step 6: Enjoy streaming!
Watch European Rugby Challenge Cup in Canada on S4C
S4C is a popular Welsh-language television channel, known for broadcasting live sports in Wales, including rugby.
The platform airs free coverage of select matches from the 2025–26 European Rugby Challenge Cup, including the highly anticipated final, on its official website and via BBC iPlayer.
However, both options are exclusive to viewers in the UK. Hence, you need a premium VPN to bypass the geo-restrictions and watch the EPCR Challenge Cup in Canada on S4C. Surfshark is our recommended choice.
Schedule for EPCR Challenge Cup 2025/26
The following is the schedule for the European Rugby Challenge Cup 2025-26:
| Date | Match | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | ||
| Fri 5 Dec | Ulster v Racing 92 | 3pm |
| Sat 6 Dec | Lions v Benetton | 8am |
| Sat 6 Dec | Stade Français v Cardiff | 8am |
| Sat 6 Dec | Black Lion v Montpellier | 10:15am |
| Sat 6 Dec | Lyon v Newcastle Red Bulls | 12:30pm |
| Sat 6 Dec | Zebre Parma v US Montauban | 3pm |
| Sun 7 Dec | Perpignan v Dragons | 8am |
| Sun 7 Dec | Ospreys v Connacht | 10:15am |
| Sun 7 Dec | Exeter Chiefs v Cheetahs | 12:30pm |
| Round 2 | ||
| Fri 12 Dec | Montpellier v Zebre Parma | 3pm |
| Sat 13 Dec | Benetton v Perpignan | 8am |
| Sat 13 Dec | Cheetahs v Stade Français | 8am |
| Sat 13 Dec | US Montauban v Ospreys | 10:15am |
| Sat 13 Dec | Newcastle Red Bulls v Lions | 12:30pm |
| Sat 13 Dec | Cardiff v Ulster | 3pm |
| Sat 13 Dec | Connacht v Black Lion | 3pm |
| Sun 14 Dec | Racing 92 v Exeter Chiefs | 8am |
| Sun 14 Dec | Dragons v Lyon | 10:15am |
| Round 3 | ||
| Sat 10 Jan | Stade Français v Exeter Chiefs | 8am |
| Sat 10 Jan | US Montauban v Black Lion | 8am |
| Sat 10 Jan | Newcastle Red Bulls v Perpignan | 8am |
| Sat 10 Jan | Lions v Lyon | 10:15am |
| Sat 10 Jan | Cardiff v Racing 92 | 10:15am |
| Sat 10 Jan | Benetton v Dragons | 12:30pm |
| Sun 11 Jan | Montpellier v Connacht | 8am |
| Sun 11 Jan | Zebre Parma v Ospreys | 8am |
| Sun 11 Jan | Cheetahs v Ulster | 10:15am |
| Round 4 | ||
| Fri 16 Jan | Dragons v Newcastle Red Bulls | 3pm |
| Sat 17 Jan | Ulster v Stade Français | 8am |
| Sat 17 Jan | Black Lion v Zebre Parma | 8am |
| Sat 17 Jan | Perpignan v Lions | 12:30pm |
| Sat 17 Jan | Connacht v US Montauban | 3pm |
| Sat 17 Jan | Ospreys v Montpellier | 3pm |
| Sun 18 Jan | Exeter Chiefs v Cardiff | 8am |
| Sun 18 Jan | Lyon v Benetton | 8am |
| Sun 18 Jan | Racing 92 v Cheetahs | 12:30pm |
Pools & Clubs in EPCR Challenge Cup 2025/26
The 2025–26 EPCR Challenge Cup is shaping up to be one of the most compelling seasons yet, with 18 clubs from across Europe, South Africa, and Georgia drawn into three balanced pools.
| Pool 1 | Pool 2 | Pool 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Ospreys | Lyon Olympique Universitaire (LOU) | Toyota Cheetahs (invited) |
| Zebre Parma | Newcastle Falcons | Cardiff Rugby |
| Montpellier Hérault Rugby | Dragons RFC | Exeter Chiefs |
| US Montauban | Benetton Rugby | Racing 92 |
| Black Lion (invited, Georgia) | Lions (URC / South Africa) | Stade Français Paris |
| Connacht Rugby | USAP (Perpignan) | Ulster Rugby |
EPCR Challenge Cup 2025-26 Weekends
The 2025–26 EPCR Challenge Cup kicks off in December 2025 and runs through to the final in May 2026 in Bilbao. Here are the dates to remember for the season:
- Round 1: 5-7 December 2025
- Round 2: 12-14 December 2025
- Round 3: 9-11 January 2026
- Round 4: 16-18 January 2026
- Round of 16: 3-5 April 2026
- Quarter-finals: 10-12 April 2026
- Semi-finals: 1-3 May 2026
- EPCR Challenge Cup Final: 22 May 2026
Other Sports to Watch in Canada
If you enjoy watching sports, we recommend some sports, including rugby:
- The Rugby Championship
- UEFA Champions League
- Rugby Union Internationals
- UEFA Nations League
- AFL in Canada
- La Liga
- UEFA Women’s Euro Cup
FAQs
1. When does the 2025–26 EPCR Challenge Cup begin?
The pool stage kicks off on 5–7 December 2025.
2. How many teams will compete in the 2025–26 EPCR Challenge Cup?
There are 18 teams in the 2025–26 EPCR Challenge Cup, including clubs from the United Rugby Championship, Premiership, Top 14, and invited teams from South Africa and Georgia.
3. Where will the final take place?
The 2025–26 EPCR Challenge Cup final will be held at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, on 22 May 2026.
4. How is the competition structured?
The competition is divided into pools, followed by knockout rounds. Teams will compete in pool stages, then move to the Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and ultimately the final.
5. How can I watch the EPCR Challenge Cup in Canada?
The competition is available for exclusive streaming on platforms like FloRugby with a subscription of $29.99/month or $149.88/year. Or, you can watch for free on France.tv and S4C using a VPN.
Conclusion
The EPCR Challenge Cup is all set to kick off on 5th December 2025. This season promises intense pool‑stage showdowns, cross‑border rivalries in the Round of 16, and high stakes leading up to the final in Bilbao.
You can watch European Rugby Challenge Cup in Canada for free on France.tv and S4C, and on FloRugby with a premium subscription. However, these free streaming platforms are geo-restricted in Canada. Use a VPN like Surfshark to bypass geo-restrictions.
