How to Watch European Rugby Champions Cup in Canada [Free + Live | 2025]

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The 2025–26 Investec Champions Cup, the 12th edition of Europe’s top club rugby competition, kicks off on 5 December 2025 with 24 elite clubs from across Europe and South Africa battling for supremacy.

Defending champions Union Bordeaux Bègles return to defend their crown, while big‑name clubs such as Leinster Rugby, Stade Toulousain and Bath Rugby promise blockbuster matchups in the pool stage.

After four weekends of intense pool‑stage action through January, the competition shifts to knockout mode, starting with the Round of 16 in early April, culminating in the grand final on 23 May 2026 at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao.

You can watch European Rugby Champions 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, BBC iPlayer is 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 and Where is the European Rugby Champions Cup  Happening?

• Date: 5th December 2025 to 23rd May 2026
• Total no. of Teams: 24 teams
• Location: Multiple locations across Europe and South Africa
• Where to Watch: Flo Rugby (US, Canada), France.tv (Free | France), and  BBC iPlayer (Free | UK)

How to Watch European Rugby Champions Cup in Canada for Free

S4C is a Welsh-language television channel that broadcasts live sports in Wales, including rugby. It offers free-to-air coverage of select matches from the 2025–26 European Rugby Champions Cup, including the highly anticipated final.

To watch these matches live on S4C, you can either sign up for free on its official platform or the BBC iPlayer. However, both options are exclusive to viewers in the UK. Hence, you need a premium VPN to bypass the geo-restrictions and access S4C in Canada.

Here’s how you can watch the European Rugby Champions Cup in Canada for free via BBC iPlayer:

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!

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How to Watch European Rugby Champions Cup in Canada on Mobile

FloRugby offers exclusive streaming of the 2025–26 European Rugby Champions Cup, including every thrilling match from the pool stage through to the final.

You can catch all the action live and on demand via the FloSports app or the website, by subscribing for $29.99/month or $149.88/year.

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 Champions Cup in Canada on France.tv

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. We recommend Surfshark.

Read More: Watch France.tv in Canada

Schedule of European Rugby Champions Cup 2025

The following is the schedule for the European Rugby Champions Cup 2025:

Clubs in the European Rugby Champions Cup 2025

The 2025–26 European Rugby Champions Cup features 24 top rugby clubs from Europe and South Africa, competing for the prestigious title. Below is the full list of clubs in the 2025–26 Investec Champions Cup.

England  

• Bath Rugby
• Bristol Bears
• Gloucester Rugby
• Harlequins
• Leicester Tigers
• Northampton Saints
• Sale Sharks
• Saracens

France 

• Aviron Bayonnais (Bayonne)
• Bordeaux Bègles (UBB)
• Castres Olympique
• ASM Clermont Auvergne (Clermont)
• Stade Rochelais (La Rochelle)
• Section Paloise (Pau)
• Stade Toulousain (Toulouse)
• RC Toulon (Toulon)

United Rugby Championship 

• Leinster Rugby
• Munster Rugby
• Edinburgh Rugby
• Glasgow Warriors
• Vodacom Bulls (Bulls)
• Hollywoodbets Sharks (Sharks)
• DHL Stormers (Stormers)
• Scarlets

Other Sports to Watch in Canada

If you enjoy watching sports, we recommend some sports, including rugby:

• The Rugby Championship
• Rugby Union Internationals
• UEFA Nations League
• AFL in Canada
• La Liga
• UEFA Women’s Euro Cup
• UEFA Champions League

FAQs – European Rugby Champions Cup 

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Who are the defending champions?

The defending champions are Union Bordeaux Bègles (Bordeaux-Bègles) who won the 2024–25 Champions Cup.

4. What is the format for the knockout stage?

The top two teams from each pool advance to the knockout stage, with home advantage for the group winners. The knockout rounds include the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final.

5. What happens if a team finishes 5th in their pool?

Teams that finish 5th in their pool are allowed to continue in the EPCR Challenge Cup, the second-tier competition, while the 6th-place teams are eliminated from European competition.

Conclusion

The European Rugby Champions Cup will kick off on 5th January 2025, featuring 24 teams from England, France, Ireland, Wales, and South Africa. The top four clubs from each pool advance to the 16th round.

You can watch European Rugby Champions Cup in Canada on France.tv, BBC iPlayer and FloRugby. However, France.tv and BBC iPlayer are geo-restricted in Canada. Surfshark is our recommended choice to bypass geo-restrictions.