European Rugby Champions Cup 2026/27 live stream: where to watch — Friday, October 16 at 8pm BST, 9pm CEST, 3pm ET, 12pm PT | Saturday, October 17 at 1pm BST, 2pm CEST, 8am ET, 5am PT | Sunday, October 18 at 1pm BST, 2pm CEST, 8am ET, 5am PT. The opening round of the 2026/27 European Rugby Champions Cup begins Friday, October 16, not with a press conference or keynote, but with Gloucester vs Bordeaux Bègles at 8pm BST (9pm CEST, 3pm ET, 12pm PT). Twelve matches unfold across three days, including Leinster’s final-season campaign launch at Clermont on Saturday at 3.15pm BST and Toulouse’s title-favorite clash with Exeter Chiefs on Sunday at 3.15pm BST. Both free on France TV. A minute’s silence will precede La Rochelle vs Johannesburg Lions on Saturday at 5.30pm BST, honoring late Lions lock Hyron Andrews. The season culminates in Lyon on Saturday, May 22, 2027. ## Where to watch | Country | Channel or service | Free or paid | |----------|-------------------|--------------| | United States | FloRugby | Paid | | United Kingdom | Premier Sports | Paid | | United Kingdom (Welsh-language coverage only) | S4C + BBC iPlayer | Free (tape-delayed for Cardiff matches) | | France | France 2 + France TV | Free | | Australia | EPCrugby.tv | Paid | | Canada | FloRugby | Paid | Free options Select matches are available without subscription: France 2 broadcasts select games live each matchweek, with streaming via France TV, including Clermont vs Leinster (Saturday, 3.15pm BST) and Toulouse vs Exeter Chiefs (Sunday, 3.15pm BST). In the UK, S4C carries Cardiff’s matches in full on tape delay, with live streaming via BBC iPlayer. Northampton Saints vs Cardiff airs Sunday at 5.30pm BST (10.05pm BST on S4C). What to expect The 2026/27 tournament features 24 clubs from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa, Wales and the Netherlands, the first edition to include Johannesburg Lions and Pretoria Bulls. All 63 matches are available globally through licensed platforms, but no single broadcaster offers full free access. There is no official global free stream. The EPCR has not announced any ad-supported or trial-access tiers. Official highlights and updates are posted on Instagram (@EuropeanRugbyChampionsCup), YouTube (@InvestecChampionsCup) and Facebook (@EuropeanRugbyChampionsCup).