Investec Champions Cup: Everything you need to know

https://www.thesouthafrican.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Investec-Champions-Cup-trophy-.webp

Check out all the key information about the Investec European Champions Cup which kicks off on Friday.

Investec Champions Cup format: Key points

  • A multi-pool format, as launched in the 2023-2024 season.
  • 24 elite clubs – eight each from the Gallagher Premiership, URC and TOP 14 – in four pools of six.
  • Sporting jeopardy, with each club playing against four different opponents, home or away, in the pool stage.
  • Four highest-ranked clubs in each pool qualify for the Round of 16.
  • The Investec European Cup will be played over eight weekends, with four pool rounds and four knockout rounds culminating in the 2025 final, which will be staged at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Saturday, May 24.

Investec Champions Cup Weekends

  • Round 1 – 6/7/8 December 2024
  • Round 2 – 13/14/15 December 2024
  • Round 3 – 10/11/12 January 2025
  • Round 4 – 17/18/19 January 2025
  • Round of 16 – 4/5/6 April 2025
  • Quarter-finals – 11/12/13 April 2025
  • Semi-finals – 2/3/4 May 2025
  • 2025 Investec Champions Cup final – Saturday, 24 May, Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Champions Cup Qualifications 

Twenty-four clubs have qualified for the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup as follows:

  • United Rugby Championship (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
  • TOP 14 (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
  • Gallagher Premiership Rugby (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
  • If not already qualified, the winner of the 2024 Investec Cup will take the place of the eighth-ranked club in its league.

Investec Champions Cup Qualifiers 

Top 14 – Stade Toulousain, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Stade Français Paris, RC Toulon, Stade Rochelais, Racing 92, Castres Olympique, ASM Clermont Auvergne.

English Premiership – Northampton Saints, Bath Rugby, Sale Sharks, Saracens, Bristol Bears, Harlequins, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers.

United Rugby Championship – Glasgow Warriors, Vodacom Bulls, Munster Rugby, Leinster Rugby, DHL Stormers, Ulster Rugby, Benetton Rugby, Hollywoodbets Sharks.

When does the 2024-2025  Investec Champions Cup begin?

The Investec Champions Cup will kick off on Friday, 6 December, and the four-round pool-play action ends on 19 January 2025.

The Round of 16 starts on 4 April, while the quarterfinals are scheduled for 11 to 13 April and the semi-finals penciled in for 2 t0 4 May. 

When is the final?

The EPCR Championships weekend is in Cardiff, Wales at Principality Stadium. There are championship games on May 23 (EPCR Challenge Cup) and May 24 (Investec Champions Cup). 

What are the Investec Champions Cup pools?

Pool 1: Toulouse, Bordeaux-Bègles, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers, Ulster Rugby.

Pool 2: Leinster Rugby, Clermont Auvergne, La Rochelle, Bristol Bears, Benetton Rugby, Bath Rugby.

Pool 3: Northampton Saints, Munster Rugby, Vodacom Bulls, Stade Français Paris, Saracens, Castres Olympique.

Pool 4: Glasgow Warriors, Racing 92, Sale Sharks, DHL Stormers, Toulon, Harlequins.

WHICH SA TEAM DO YOU THINK WILL HAVE THE BEST SEASON?

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.

You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news and views.

THE EUROPEAN CUP IN ALL IT’S GLORY

The Champions Cup trophy. Image: Via Getty Images/archives.

×