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EPCR Challenge Cup
Current season or competition:
2025–26 EPCR Challenge Cup
SportRugby union
Inaugural season1996
Number of teams18
Nations England
 France
Ireland
Georgia (country) Georgia
 Italy
 Scotland
 South Africa
 Wales
HoldersEngland Bath (2nd title) (2024–25)
Most titlesFrance Clermont
England Harlequins (3 titles)
Websiteepcrugby.com/challenge-cup
Related competitions

The EPCR Challenge Cup is an annual rugby union competition organised by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR).[1] It is the second-tier competition for clubs based in European leagues behind the European Rugby Champions Cup. From its inception in 1996 to 2014, it was known as the European Challenge Cup and governed by European Rugby Cup (ERC). Following disagreements in the structure of the tournament's format and division of revenue, the English and French leagues withdrew to form the EPCR, which organized the Challenge Cup and the Champions Cup since the 2014–15 season.[2]

The Challenge Cup is currently contested between 18 teams; 16 of which qualify from the three main European domestic leagues (Premiership Rugby, Top 14, and United Rugby Championship).

Since the 2023–24 season, two teams outside of the western Europe leagues[3] have been invited to participate in the tournament. These teams are Cheetahs, a South African team who won the 2023 Currie Cup (who use Amsterdam as their home base during the competition) and Georgia's Black Lion, who are the holders of the third-tier Rugby Europe Super Cup. Many more teams had applied to play in the 2024 season of the Challenge Cup, but both the Cheetahs and Black Lion have been invited to each tournament since.[4]

Format

[edit]

Qualification

[edit]

18 teams qualify for the EPCR Challenge Cup in 2023–24.

16 of these teams automatically qualified from the English Premiership Rugby, the French Top 14 and the United Rugby Championship, the 17th and 18th teams are invited to participate.

  • Teams from these leagues that do not qualify for the European Champions Cup, either through league position or through promotion, and (in the case of the Top 14) are not relegated to a lower league, will automatically qualify for the Rugby Challenge Cup. Teams promoted to these leagues take up any remaining Challenge Cup places.

Continental Shield

[edit]
Main article: European Rugby Continental Shield

Until 2019–20 the 19th and 20th teams qualified via a Qualifying Competition, organised by European Professional Club Rugby and Rugby Europe.[5]

For the 2014–15 season, this took the form of 2 two-legged play-off matches, with the aggregate winner of each taking one of the two Rugby Europe spots in the draw, and it involved the 2 best teams from Italy's Top12, plus a Romanian and Georgian selections.[6]

An expanded format, which was expected to feature more matches and more nations, for qualification into the 2015–16 European Rugby Challenge Cup, and subsequent seasons, was expected to be announced 15 September 2014.[7][non-primary source needed][8] However, on 5 September 2014, it was announced that no such competition would take place during the 2014–15 season, and negotiations continue to create the new competition as soon as possible.[9]

Subsequently, on 22 December 2014, EPCR announced negotiations for a new format for the competition had now been completed, and the Qualifying Competition for entry into the 2015–16 Challenge Cup would begin in January.[10]

The expanded format includes clubs from Rugby Europe member unions Russia, Spain and Portugal alongside representatives from the Italian Eccellenza, and is being jointly organised by EPCR, Rugby Europe, and the Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR).

The teams in the competition are split into two pools. Each team participates in a pool stage, before the two pool winners compete in a two-legged play-off against the teams currently competing in the Challenge Cup from the previous season.

The winners, on aggregate, of these two play-offs will take up the two final places in the Challenge Cup.[10]

In 2017, the competition was rebranded as the European Rugby Continental Shield, and introduced a final to be held as part of the main finals weekend and contested by the two play-off winners.[11]

Competition

[edit]

Group stage

[edit]

For the pool stage there are three pools of six teams. The teams are ranked based on domestic league performance the previous season, and arranged into three tiers. Teams are then drawn from the tiers into pools at random.[12]

Teams will play four other teams in their pool either at home and away and match points will be awarded depending on the result of each game. Teams receive four points for a win, and two for a draw. Teams can also earn 1 try bonus point for scoring four or more tries, and 1 losing bonus point for losing a match by seven points or fewer.[13]

Following the completion of the pool stage, the top four teams in each pool will qualify for the knock-out stage. They are joined in the round of 16 by the teams placed 5th in each Champions Cup pool.[5]

Knock-out stage

[edit]

The eight quarter-finalists are ranked – pool winners from 1 to 5, and runners-up from 6 to 8 – based on performance in their respective pool. The four pool winners with the best pool record receive home advantage for the quarter-finals against one of the four lower-ranked teams, in a 1v8, 2v7, 3v6, 4v5 format. Unlike the later formats of the old European Challenge Cup, no teams will drop down into the competition from the Champions Cup.

The winners of the quarter-finals will contest the two semi-finals, the semi-final matches will be determined by criteria, and the winners of the semi-finals will contest the final, which is usually held in May.[14]

Temporary changes to format

[edit]

Because of the Coronavirus Pandemic the 2020/2021 competition took on a revised format. 2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup

A similar format remained for the 2021/22 season, however, the number of teams was increased from 14 to 15 and an additional six will join from the Champions Cup. 2021–22 European Rugby Challenge Cup

The format revision was removed from the 2022/23 season, so with the introduction of South African sides to the EPCR, 16 teams now qualify based on domestic league performance, with two further team invited. For the 2023–24 EPCR Challenge Cup season, the invited teams will be the South African team, Cheetahs, and Black Lion from Georgia.

Finals

[edit]

The competition has been dominated by French and English clubs since it was first introduced in 1996, reflecting the historical depth of those two leagues. However, teams from Ireland, Wales and Scotland have all made the final of the Challenge Cup, with the trophy twice being won by Cardiff Rugby from Wales, and once by the Irish provincial side Leinster. In 2024, Sharks, a South African professional franchise from the United Rugby Championship became the first South African and non-European team to win either of the two major European trophies when it won the 2023–24 EPCR Challenge Cup, the fourth URC victory in the competition.

Key
† Match was won during extra time
European Challenge Cup Finals
Season Winners Score Runners-up Venue Attendance
1996–97 France Bourgoin 18–9 France Castres France Stade de la Méditerranée, Béziers 10,000
1997–98 France Colomiers 43–5 France Agen France Stade des Sept Deniers, Toulouse 12,500
1998–99 France Montferrand 35–16 France Bourgoin France Stade de Gerland, Lyon 31,986
1999–00 France Pau 34–21 France Castres France Stade des Sept Deniers, Toulouse 6,000
2000–01 England Harlequins 42–33 France Narbonne England Madejski Stadium, Reading 10,013
2001–02 England Sale 25–22 Wales Pontypridd England Kassam Stadium, Oxford 12,000
2002–03 England Wasps 48–30 England Bath England Madejski Stadium, Reading 18,074
2003–04 England Harlequins 27–26 France Montferrand England Madejski Stadium, Reading 13,123
2004–05 England Sale 27–3 France Pau England Kassam Stadium, Oxford 7,230
2005–06 England Gloucester 36–34† England London Irish England The Stoop, London 12,053
2006–07 France Clermont 22–16 England Bath England The Stoop, London 10,134
2007–08 England Bath 24–16 England Worcester England Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester 16,057
2008–09 England Northampton 15–3 France Bourgoin England The Stoop, London 9,260
2009–10 Wales Cardiff 28–21 France Toulon France Stade Vélodrome, Marseille 48,990
2010–11 England Harlequins 19–18 France Stade Français Wales Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff 12,236
2011–12 France Biarritz 21–18 France Toulon England The Stoop, London 9,376
2012–13 Ireland Leinster 34–13 France Stade Français Ireland RDS Arena, Dublin 20,396
2013–14 England Northampton 30–16 England Bath Wales Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff 12,483
European Rugby Challenge Cup Finals
2014–15 England Gloucester 19–13 Scotland Edinburgh England The Twickenham Stoop, London 14,316
2015–16 France Montpellier 26–19 England Harlequins France Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon 28,556
2016–17 France Stade Français 25–17 England Gloucester Scotland Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh 24,494
2017–18 Wales Cardiff 31–30 England Gloucester Spain San Mamés, Bilbao 32,543
2018–19 France Clermont 36–16 France La Rochelle England St James' Park, Newcastle 28,438
2019–20 England Bristol 32–19 France Toulon France Stade Maurice David, Aix-en-Provence[a] 1,000
2020–21 France Montpellier 18–17 England Leicester England Twickenham Stadium, London[b] 10,000[c]
2021–22 France Lyon 30–12 France Toulon France Stade de Marseille, Marseille 51,431
2022–23 France Toulon 43–19 Scotland Glasgow Ireland Aviva Stadium, Dublin 31,514
2023–24 South Africa Sharks 36–22 England Gloucester England Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London 34,761
2024–25 England Bath 37–12 France Lyon Wales Millennium Stadium, Cardiff 36,705

Wins by club

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Club Won Runner-up Years won Years runner-up
France Clermont 3 1 1998–99, 2006–07, 2018–19 2003–04
England Harlequins 3 1 2000–01, 2003–04, 2010–11 2015–16
England Gloucester 2 3 2005–06, 2014–15 2016–17, 2017–18, 2023–24
England Bath 2 3 2007–08, 2024–25 2002–03, 2006–07, 2013–14
England Sale 2 0 2001–02, 2004–05
England Northampton 2 0 2008–09, 2013–14
Wales Cardiff 2 0 2009–10, 2017–18
France Montpellier 2 0 2015–16, 2020–21
France Toulon 1 4 2022–23 2009–10, 2011–12, 2019–20, 2021–22
France Bourgoin 1 2 1996–97 1998–99, 2008–09
France Stade Français 1 2 2016–17 2010–11, 2012–13
France Pau 1 1 1999–00 2004–05
France Lyon 1 1 2021–22 2024–25
France Colomiers 1 0 1997–98
England Wasps 1 0 2002–03
France Biarritz 1 0 2011–12
Ireland Leinster 1 0 2012–13
England Bristol 1 0 2019–20
South Africa Sharks 1 0 2023–24
France Castres 0 2 1996–97, 1999–00
France Agen 0 1 1997–98
France Narbonne 0 1 2000–01
Wales Pontypridd 0 1 2001–02
England London Irish 0 1 2005–06
England Worcester 0 1 2007–08
Scotland Edinburgh 0 1 2014–15
France La Rochelle 0 1 2018–19
England Leicester 0 1 2020–21
Scotland Glasgow 0 1 2022–23

Wins by nation

[edit]
Nation Winners Runners-up
England England 13 10
France France 12 16
Wales Wales 2 1
Ireland Ireland 1 0
South Africa South Africa 1 0
Scotland Scotland 0 2

History

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European Challenge Cup

[edit]

1996–1999

[edit]
The Challenge Cup logo used while the tournament was sponsored by Amlin

European rugby competition began with the launch of the Heineken Cup in the summer of 1995.

The Challenge Cup began as the 'European Conference' (later renamed the European Shield) in 1996 with 24 teams from England, France, Italy, Romania, Scotland and Wales divided into four groups of six. All seven of the French teams made it to the quarter-finals with English club Northampton Saints filling the other berth. Predictably, the final was an all-French affair with Bourgoin beating Castres Olympique 18–9 to win the shield.

The following year's competition had an increased entry with eight groups of four teams. Colomiers continued the French dominance of the European Shield, defeating Agen 43–5 in the final.

The absence of English and Scottish clubs in 1998–99 saw the competition reduced to 21 teams divided into three groups of seven teams with representative sides of Spain and Portugal taking part. Once again, a French team was triumphant, with Montferrand beating Bourgoin 35–16 in the final held in Lyon.

With English and Scottish clubs back in the competition in 1999, there were 28 teams split in seven groups of four and London Irish and Bristol reached the semi-finals of the competition, but couldn't prevent another all-French final with Section Paloise crowned champions after a 34–21 defeat of Castres.

2000–2006

[edit]

The competition structure remained unchanged for the 2000–01 season, although no team from Romania participated. The semi-final draw was an all-English and all-French affair to leave Harlequins and Narbonne contesting the first final on English soil. Harlequins ended French dominance of the European Shield, defeating RC Narbonne 27–26 after extra time in the final.

There was a new sponsor and a name change in 2001. The new Parker Pen Shield saw 32 teams divided into eight groups of four competing for the title. For the first time there were two Spanish club teams (Valladolid RAC and UC Madrid) and Romania was represented. Only one French club reached the quarter-finals along with five English and two from Wales and for the first time no French club reached the semi-finals after Pau lost to London Irish. For the first time, a Welsh team, Pontypridd, made it to the final but Sale Sharks emerged victorious, coming from behind to win 25–22 at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford.

The league format was abandoned in 2002 and the tournament became a knock-out competition. This involved 32 clubs from eight nations, half of them seeded and drawn against an un-seeded team on a home and away basis. The name Parker Pen Shield was now applied to a repechage knock-out tournament for those teams that did not qualify for the second round of the Challenge Cup. The Parker Pen Challenge Cup winner now automatically qualified for the Heineken Cup. London Wasps beat Bath 48–30 to win the renamed Parker Pen Challenge Cup at the Madejski Stadium, Reading.

In 2003–04, the Welsh Rugby Union voted to create regions to play in the Celtic League and represent Wales in European competition. Henceforce Wales entered regional sides rather than the club sides which had previously competed. With a reduction from nine professional clubs to just five, there was no Welsh entry in that year's competition. Romania also did not take part in the Challenge Cup. Harlequins won the cup with a 27–26 last-second victory over Montferrand at the Madejski Stadium to become the first side to win the tournament twice.

Sale eased to victory in the 2005 final 27–3 over a disappointing Pau side. In 2006, Gloucester edged out London Irish 36–34 after extra time.

The Parker Pen Shield was abandoned in 2005 due to restructuring of the European Challenge Cup. The competition reverted to being a league format followed by knock-out phase with five pools of four teams and home and away matches. Romanian interest returned to the competition in the form of București Rugby who had been formed to represent Romania in European competition, however, there was no representation from Spain or Portugal.

2006–2009

[edit]

Clermont were the first French winners of the title for seven years after they beat Bath in the 2006–07 competition; Clermont also reached the Top 14 final this year after finishing poorly the previous couple of years.

Beaten 2007 finalists Bath won the 2007–08 tournament after beating fellow English club Worcester Warriors in the final in Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester. Spanish representation resumed in the 2007–08 Challenge Cup when Spanish Champions CR El Salvador took part.

Northampton Saints won the 2009 final after beating Bourgoin 15–3 at the Twickenham Stoop; that season Northampton avoided relegation, they finished 2nd in the regular season of the Guinness Premiership, reached the Heineken Cup quarter-finals and won the Anglo-Welsh Cup the next season. Northampton became the eighth English club to win the competition in 9 seasons.

2010–2014

[edit]

The competition organiser, European Rugby Cup, announced several changes to the Challenge Cup effective in 2009–10:[15]

  • Only the five pool winners will qualify for the knockout stage of the competition. They will be joined by three clubs that parachute in from the pool stage of the Heineken Cup, specifically the third- through fifth-highest ranked second-place teams from pool play. Because of the demise of their third professional side, Scotland representation stopped but now Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors may play in the competition if they finish 3rd, 4th or 5th best runners-up in the Heineken Cup.
  • The European Challenge Cup winner will continue to receive an automatic berth in the following season's Heineken Cup; for the first time, this place will not come at the expense of its country's allocation. The only exception to this new rule will occur when England or France produces the winners of both the Heineken Cup and ECC in the same season. Both countries are capped at seven Heineken Cup places; in that scenario, the Heineken and ECC winners remain in the Heineken Cup while a berth is granted to the top club in the ERC rankings from another country that has not already qualified for the Heineken Cup.

Cardiff Blues benefited from the new format in its first year, winning the first ever Challenge Cup for the club and were also the first Welsh Club to win any European club tournament. Cardiff beat Toulon 28–21 in the final at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, which was also the first final to have no English involvement for 10 years.

England made a triumphant return to the final in 2011, with Harlequins defeating Stade Français 19–18. with a try in the last five-minutes by Argentinian wing, Gonzalo Camacho. This meant Harlequins became the first team to win the Challenge Cup three times and with this entered the Heineken Cup. The final was also notable in that it involved two teams that began the season in the Challenge Cup.

The 2011–12 competition was dominated by French sides, with all four semi-finalists coming from that country. Biarritz, which had parachuted in from the Heineken Cup, defeated Toulon to claim their first Challenge Cup.

The 2012–13 season again saw the Challenge Cup claimed by a team that parachuted in from the Heineken Cup. This time, the victor was Leinster, which became the first team from Ireland to win the Challenge Cup.[16]

Northampton Saints won the last edition of the European Challenge Cup in 2014, beating Bath 30–16 in the final.

European Rugby Challenge Cup

[edit]

2014–2021

[edit]

On 10 April 2014, following almost two years of negotiations, a statement was released under the aegis of European Professional Club Rugby announcing that the nine stakeholders to the new competition, the six unions and three umbrella club organisations (Premiership Rugby, Ligue Nationale de Rugby and Regional Rugby Wales), had signed Heads of Agreement for the formation of the European Rugby Champions Cup, the European Rugby Challenge Cup and a new, third tournament, called the Qualifying Competition.[17] On the same day, BT and Sky signed an agreement that divided coverage of the new European competitions. Both would split the pool matches, quarter-finals, and semi-finals equally, and both would broadcast the final. BT would receive first choice of English Premiership club matches in the Champions Cup, with Sky receiving the same privilege for the Challenge Cup.[18] Subsequently, BT have signed an exclusive deal for the Challenge Cup between 2018–19 and 2021–22.[19]

2021–Present

[edit]

The 2023–24 competition saw a new precedent set, with the Sharks of South Africa becoming the first team from outside of Europe to lift the Challenge Cup after an historic 36-22 victory over Gloucester.[20]

Sponsorship & suppliers

[edit]

Sponsors

[edit]
  • Parker Pen Company – Title Sponsors of the European Challenge Cup from 2001 to 2005
  • Amlin – Title Sponsors of the European Challenge Cup from 2009 to 2014

Following the introduction of the European Rugby Challenge Cup, organisers decided to introduce a Champions League-style sponsorship system, including 3–5 principal partners, in lieu of one title sponsor.

Principal Partners

[edit]
Heineken, who had sponsored the Heineken Cup since 1995, signed on as the first partner for the Challenge Cup in 2014, and were credited as the Founding Partner of European Rugby
Announced as the second principal partner at the 2015–16 tournament launch, signing on for three seasons[21]

Secondary Sponsors

[edit]

Suppliers

[edit]
Following their appointment as an Official Supplier, Tissot began sponsoring the Match Officials kit.

Media coverage

[edit]

For Australia, Europe (unsold markets), and Southeast Asia, all matches of the EPCR package (both Champions and Challenge Cups) available on Rugby Pass.

Some games are also livestreamed for free on EPCR TV.[29]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

EPCR Challenge Cup

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The EPCR Challenge Cup is an annual club competition organized by (EPCR), functioning as the continent's premier second-tier European tournament behind the Champions Cup. Launched in the 1996–97 season as the European Challenge Cup (also known as the European Shield) to provide a competitive pathway for emerging and established clubs outside the top European elite, it has evolved through various sponsorship iterations—including the Parker Pen Challenge Cup (2001–2005) and Amlin Challenge Cup (2009–2014)—before adopting its current name under EPCR's governance starting in 2014. The competition draws its 18 participating teams primarily from Europe's leading domestic leagues: England's Gallagher (typically six to seven clubs), France's (six to seven clubs), and the (URC, featuring sides from , , , , and , with four to five qualifiers). Additional spots may go to invitational teams, such as Georgia's Black Lion, to broaden geographic representation. Qualification is merit-based, with clubs earning entry through strong domestic performances but falling short of the Champions Cup threshold, ensuring a mix of competitive balance and developmental opportunities. In its current multi-pool format, introduced for the 2023/24 season and retained for 2025/26, the 18 clubs are divided into three pools of six, with each team playing four pool matches (two home, two away) across December and January. The top two teams from each pool, plus the best two third-placed sides, advance directly to the round of 16, joined by seeded teams from the Champions Cup pool stage; subsequent knockout rounds—including quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final in May—determine the champion at a neutral venue. The winner secures automatic qualification to the following season's Champions Cup, enhancing the tournament's prestige as a stepping stone to Europe's highest level. Over nearly three decades, the EPCR Challenge Cup has crowned 19 different winners, underscoring its role in fostering diverse success stories. Harlequins (England) and ASM Clermont Auvergne (France) share the record with three titles each, while recent victors include Bath Rugby in 2025, Hollywoodbets Sharks in 2024, and RC Toulon in 2023. Notable for producing breakthrough performances—such as Lyon's first major trophy in 89 years in 2022—the competition has also integrated South African URC teams since 2021, expanding its global appeal and contributing to EPCR's mission of delivering high-quality rugby experiences.

Format

Qualification

The qualification process for the EPCR Challenge Cup grants entry to clubs based on their performance in the primary domestic leagues, specifically those that fail to secure spots in the higher-tier Investec Champions Cup. For the 2025/26 season, eight teams qualify from the (URC) comprising the clubs finishing 9th to 16th in the league standings after the top eight advance to the Champions Cup; six teams from the Top 14, consisting of those placed 9th to 14th; and two teams from , the 9th- and 10th-placed sides. Up to two additional invitational spots are awarded at EPCR's discretion, typically including the winner of the and a selected team such as Georgia's Black Lion to broaden participation. This structure results in a total of 18 competing clubs for the 2025/26 season. Seeding for the pool stage draw is determined using the EPCR European Rugby Club Rankings, which aggregate points from clubs' performances in the previous three seasons of EPCR competitions to assign tiers and avoid early matchups between top-ranked sides.

Pool stage

The pool stage of the EPCR Challenge Cup features 18 clubs divided into three pools of six teams each. The pools are determined through a that incorporates EPCR club rankings to ensure competitive balance, with restrictions such as a maximum of three clubs from the (URC) per pool and exactly two clubs from the in each pool. This structure accommodates the 18 participants, which include qualifiers from the , , and URC, along with two invitational teams. Each team plays four matches during the pool stage—two at home and two away—against different opponents from their pool, spread across four rounds over eight weekends from early December 2025 to mid-January 2026. The schedule begins with consecutive weekends in December, followed by rounds in January, allowing for a compact phase that aligns with domestic league calendars. This format ensures each club faces a mix of opposition without playing all pool rivals, promoting strategic variety. Points are awarded as follows: four for a win, two for a draw, with one bonus point for scoring four or more tries regardless of the result, and one additional bonus point for a loss by seven points or fewer. These incentives encourage attacking play and reward competitive performances in close contests. The top four teams from each pool advance to the round of 16 in the knockout stage, yielding 12 qualifiers who are joined by the four fifth-placed teams from the Investec Champions Cup pools to form a 16-team . Pool winners are seeded as the top three teams overall (ranks 1–3) based on their points and tiebreakers among themselves, while the remaining qualifiers are seeded 4–16 according to pool position and aggregate points. This seeding determines and matchups in the round of 16. In the event of tied points for pool standings or seeding, teams are ranked first by aggregate points difference, then by total tries scored; if still level, lots are drawn by an independent adjudicator.

Knockout stage

The knockout stage of the EPCR Challenge Cup begins after the pool stage and consists of single-elimination matches from the round of 16 through to the final, featuring the 16 qualified teams: the top four from each of the three pools (12 teams) and the four fifth-placed teams from the Investec Champions Cup pools. These teams are ranked from 1 to 16 based on their pool stage performance, with pool winners seeded 1–3, runners-up 4–6, third-placed teams 7–9, fourth-placed teams 10–12, and the Champions Cup drop-down teams 13–16, using criteria such as match points, points difference, and tries scored. In the round of 16, matchups are fixed by seeding (1 vs 16, 2 vs 15, 3 vs 14, 4 vs 13, 5 vs 12, 6 vs 11, 7 vs 10, and 8 vs 9), with the higher-seeded team hosting at their home venue to provide home advantage based on pool stage results. The quarter-finals follow a predetermined bracket, pairing winners of specific round-of-16 ties (e.g., winner of 1/16 vs winner of 8/9), again with home advantage for the higher original seed. Semi-final matchups are drawn openly after the quarter-finals, with an emphasis on regionalization to minimize travel costs and logistical burdens for clubs, particularly those from the same nation or region. All matches prior to the final are single-leg fixtures played over designated weekends in and May. If a match ends in a draw after 80 minutes, two 10-minute periods of extra time are played under standard laws; if still tied, the team with the most tries from the entire match (including extra time) wins, or if equal, a sudden-death from 20 meters in front of the posts determines the victor, starting with five kicks per team and continuing alternately. The final is contested at a neutral venue. If tied after 80 minutes, extra time and tiebreakers apply as in other matches. The 2025/26 final is scheduled for 22 May 2026 at San Mamés Stadium in . This structure ensures a progressive elimination format that rewards strong pool stage performances with favorable seeding and home rights while culminating in a high-profile showpiece event.

Format evolution

The EPCR Challenge Cup has experienced several structural modifications since its launch to adapt to expanding participation, integrate with the elite European competition, and address logistical challenges, while maintaining a balance between pool and knockout phases. The tournament began in the 1996–97 season with 24 teams divided into four pools of six, where each team played home and away matches against all others in their pool over 10 rounds. The top two teams from each pool qualified directly for the quarter-finals, resulting in eight teams advancing to the . From the 2009–10 season, the competition introduced play-off matches involving top Challenge Cup performers against teams from the Amlin Nations Cup to determine additional spots in the Heineken Cup, creating a clearer promotion pathway for second-tier clubs. The pool stage at that time involved 20 teams in five pools of four, with each team playing against pool opponents; the pool winners and the three best-placed runners-up progressed to a last-16 round. Following the 2014 rebranding under EPCR and the launch of the Champions Cup, the format shifted to 20 teams in five pools of four, with pool matches. The top two teams from each pool and the three best third-placed teams advanced to the round of 16, joined by five teams dropping down from the Champions Cup based on their pool performance, thereby linking the two tournaments more closely. The 2020–21 season saw temporary adjustments due to the , including the cancellation of the pool stage and a direct progression to a round of 16 with 16 seeded teams drawn based on their domestic league standings to ensure fairness; all matches were played without crowds in a condensed schedule across neutral or limited-venue sites. For the 2022/23 season, featured 20 teams divided into two pools of 10, with each club playing four pool matches; the top six teams from each pool advanced to the round of 16, joined by four teams dropping down from the Champions Cup. From the 2023/24 season onward, the structure adopted 18 teams in three pools of six, with each team playing four single-leg matches against selected opponents to promote cross-league rivalries and reduce fixture congestion; the top four teams from each pool (12 total) advance to the round of 16, joined by the four fifth-placed teams from the Champions Cup pools. For the 2025/26 season, the structure maintains the three pools of six teams, with each team playing four single-leg matches (two home, two away) against four different opponents in their pool, spanning eight weekends to align with international and domestic calendars; pool draws prioritize cross-border matchups to heighten rivalries and competitive balance, with the top four from each pool (12 teams total) advancing to the round of 16, joined by the four fifth-placed teams from the Champions Cup pools.

Records and statistics

List of finals

The EPCR Challenge Cup finals have been contested annually since the inaugural tournament in 1996–97, with the first final held in 1997. The list below details every final from 1997 to 2025, including the winner, runner-up, score, venue, and attendance where recorded.
YearWinnerRunner-upScoreVenueAttendance
1997Bourgoin18–9Stade de la Méditerranée, 10,000
1998Colomiers43–5Les Sept Deniers, 12,500
1999AS MontferrandBourgoin35–16Stade Gerland, 31,986
200034–21Les Sept Deniers, 6,000
200142–33, Reading11,211
200225–22, 12,000
2003Wasps48–30, Reading18,074
2004AS Montferrand27–26, Reading13,123
200527–3, 7,230
200636–34, 12,053
200722–16, 10,134
200824–16Kingsholm, 16,157
200915–3, 9,260
2010Cardiff Blues28–21, 48,990
201119–18, 12,236
201221–18, 9,376
201334–13, 20,396
201430–16, 12,483
201519–13, 14,316
201626–19, 28,556
201725–17, 24,594
2018Cardiff Blues31–30San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao32,543
201936–16, Newcastle28,438
202032–19Stade Maurice David, 1,000
202118–17, 10,000
202230–12, 51,431
202343–19, 31,514
2024Hollywoodbets Sharks36–22Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 34,761
202537–12Principality Stadium, 36,705
Early finals were often hosted at club grounds or regional stadiums in France and the UK, such as Les Sept Deniers in for the 1998 and 2000 editions, reflecting the competition's initial European-wide scope under the European Rugby Cup. From the mid-2000s, venues shifted to neutral UK sites like the in Reading and the in , before the 2014 rebranding to EPCR Challenge Cup introduced more prominent neutral venues, including international stadiums like the in (2010, 2022) and the in (2023). The 2025 final returned to Principality Stadium in , continuing the trend of high-profile, neutral locations to boost accessibility and attendance. Attendance has varied significantly, starting modestly around 10,000 in the late 1990s and peaking at 51,431 for the 2022 vs. final at , the highest on record. Low points included 6,000 in 2000 and 7,230 in 2005 at smaller venues, while post-2014 figures generally rose with larger stadiums, averaging 25,000–35,000 in recent years; the limited crowds to 1,000 in 2020 and 10,000 in 2021, but numbers rebounded to around 30,000–36,000 by 2023–2025. Notable results include the widest margin of victory, Colomiers' 43–5 defeat of in 1998 (38 points), and several close contests like the 2004 vs. AS Montferrand 27–26 thriller. No team has achieved an undefeated streak across multiple finals, but appeared in five finals (losses in 2009–10, 2011–12, 2019–20, 2021–22; win in 2022–23). Since the 2014 EPCR era, finals have increasingly featured teams crossing over from the Champions Cup, such as (2016, 2021) and (2023), highlighting the competition's role as a secondary European pathway for clubs.

Wins by club

Harlequins and ASM Clermont Auvergne share the record for the most EPCR Challenge Cup titles, with three each. Harlequins won in the 2000–01, 2003–04, and 2010–11 seasons, while Clermont (formerly known as AS Montferrand) triumphed in 1998–99, 2006–07, and 2018–19. Several other clubs have secured two titles apiece, including Bath Rugby (2007–08 and 2024–25), Cardiff Blues (2009–10 and 2017–18), Gloucester Rugby (2005–06 and 2014–15), Montpellier Hérault Rugby (2015–16 and 2020–21), Northampton Saints (2008–09 and 2013–14), and Sale Sharks (2001–02 and 2004–05). In total, 19 different clubs have won the competition since its inception in 1996–97. The table below ranks clubs by the number of titles won, listing the seasons of their victories.
ClubTitlesSeasons Won
32000–01, 2003–04, 2010–11
31998–99, 2006–07, 2018–19
22007–08, 2024–25
Cardiff Blues22009–10, 2017–18
22005–06, 2014–15
22015–16, 2020–21
22008–09, 2013–14
22001–02, 2004–05
12011–12
12019–20
11996–97
12012–13
Lyon OU12021–22
Hollywoodbets Sharks12023–24
12022–23
12016–17
11999–00
US Colomiers11997–98
Wasps Rugby12002–03
Clubs with multiple titles have often used success as a pathway to greater European achievements. For instance, ASM Clermont Auvergne's victories have frequently bolstered their qualification for the higher-tier Champions Cup, where they have also claimed a title in 2015 and reached multiple finals. Similarly, ' three Challenge Cup wins preceded or complemented strong domestic and European campaigns, including a Champions Cup final appearance in 2011. Runner-up records highlight the competitive nature of the finals, with some clubs enduring multiple defeats. has appeared in five finals (wins 2007–08, 2024–25; losses 2002–03, 2006–07, 2013–14). has appeared in five finals (win 2022–23; losses 2009–10, 2011–12, 2019–20, 2021–22). Other notable multiple runner-ups include (1996–97, 1999–00), (2010–11, 2012–13; win 2016–17), and Bourgoin (1998–99, 2008–09; win 1996–97). has five final appearances (wins 2005–06, 2014–15; losses 2016–17, 2017–18, 2023–24). In the 2020s, the competition has seen a mix of winners from various nations, with English clubs securing three titles ( in 2019–20 and Bath in 2024–25) amid successes for French (, , ) and South African () sides. This diversity underscores the Challenge Cup's role as a proving ground for clubs seeking elevation to the Champions Cup.

Wins by nation

English and French clubs have dominated the EPCR Challenge Cup since its inception in , collectively accounting for 25 of the 29 titles awarded through the 2025 final. English teams hold a slight edge with 13 victories, reflecting the depth of the English Premiership, while French sides from the Top 14 have secured 12 triumphs, underscoring their consistent competitiveness in European competitions.
NationTitlesWinning Clubs (Examples)
13Harlequins (3), (2), (2), (2)
12Clermont Auvergne (3), (2), (1), (1)
2Cardiff Blues (2)
Ireland1 (1)
1 (1)
0None
Finals appearances further highlight this Franco-English hegemony, with English clubs reaching 19 finals and French teams appearing in 23, often facing each other in high-stakes clashes that have defined the tournament's latter years. Wales has made two final appearances, both victorious, while Ireland and South Africa each have one, the latter marking a rare incursion by a non-European invitational team from the United Rugby Championship (URC). No Italian club has reached a final, despite participation in the competition since 2010. The success of English and French clubs correlates strongly with the professional structures and financial resources of the Premiership and leagues, which provide robust pathways for player development and squad depth essential for European campaigns. In contrast, URC teams have achieved limited success with just four titles overall—two for , one for , and one for —highlighting challenges in matching the intensity of the Anglo-French powerhouses despite expanded qualification since 2022. No titles have been won by teams from outside the original participating nations (, , , , , ), even with invitational expansions to include South African provinces, though the ' 2024 victory represents a breakthrough for non-European participants. Post-2014, under the EPCR Challenge Cup branding, English clubs have shown resurgence with three titles (2015, 2020, 2025), rebounding from a dip in the early years of the restructured format. Recent finals from 2022 to 2025 reflect a balanced Franco-English dynamic, featuring exclusively teams from these nations except for the 2024 South African upset, with the 2025 final pitting Bath (England) against Lyon (France).

Other records

The highest attendance for a final is 51,431 at the 2022 ( vs. ). The largest margin of victory is 38 points, Colomiers' 43–5 win over in 1998.

History

European Challenge Cup era (1996–2014)

The European Challenge Cup was established in 1996 by the European Rugby Cup (ERC) as the second-tier competition to the Heineken Cup, providing an opportunity for clubs that did not qualify for Europe's club tournament. Initially known as the European Conference, it featured 24 teams from seven nations—, , , , , , and —divided into four pools of six, with the top two from each advancing to rounds. The inaugural season culminated in an all-French final on 26 January 1997 at Stade de la Méditerranée in , where defeated 18–9 in a low-scoring affair marked by penalties and drop goals, with no tries scored by either side. The tournament quickly gained traction as a platform for emerging professional clubs, with French sides dominating the early years. From 1997 to 2000, French teams won all four titles: Colomiers triumphed 43–5 over in 1998, AS Montferrand (now Clermont Auvergne) beat Bourgoin 35–16 in 1999, and edged 34–21 in 2000. This period highlighted the depth of French rugby, as these victors often featured expansive play and strong forward packs. The competition expanded gradually to accommodate growing participation; by the 2001–02 season, it had grown to include up to 32 teams in some formats, incorporating more clubs from the top leagues and fostering broader European involvement. Sponsorship evolved as well, with Parker Pen backing the tournament from 2001 to 2005, rebranding it temporarily as the Parker Pen in a third-tier guise before refocusing on the structure. Key milestones underscored the competition's rising prestige. England claimed their first title in 2001 when Harlequins overcame Narbonne 42–33 in extra time at Madejski Stadium, powered by fly-half Paul Burke's 25 points in a thrilling encounter that showcased the English club's resilience. Subsequent English successes followed, including Sale Sharks' 25–22 victory over Welsh side Pontypridd in 2002 and London Wasps' emphatic 48–30 win against Bath in 2003, marking a shift toward balanced national representation. Wales achieved their breakthrough in 2010 with Cardiff Blues defeating RC Toulon 28–21 in Marseille, drawing a record crowd of nearly 49,000 and highlighting the Celtic nations' growing competitiveness. French clubs regained momentum later, with Biarritz's 21–18 triumph over Toulon in 2012 exemplifying their tactical discipline. Overall, from 1996 to 2014, English clubs secured ten titles, while French sides won six, reflecting the tournament's role in elevating domestic leagues. Format adjustments occurred periodically to enhance competitiveness and integration with the Heineken Cup. The initial 1996–99 structure emphasized straight knockouts after pools, but from 2000 onward, seeding systems were introduced to reward higher-ranked Heineken Cup dropouts entering at later stages, ensuring top performers faced progressively tougher opposition. By 2005, the pool stage stabilized at eight groups of four for 32 teams, with quarter-finals featuring home advantage for pool winners. A significant evolution came in 2010, when play-off rounds were integrated for additional qualification spots, allowing more clubs from national leagues to vie for entry and increasing the tournament's inclusivity. These changes, while streamlining progression, also addressed logistical challenges in a burgeoning era. Despite its growth, the European Challenge Cup faced governance hurdles under ERC stewardship. Disputes over television rights intensified in the early 2010s, as English and French leagues sought greater revenue shares and qualification control, clashing with ERC's centralized model. Premiership Rugby's 2012 deal with BT Sport, valued at around £152 million over four years, explicitly included a breakaway European tournament, exacerbating tensions with ' ERC contract worth $117 million. These conflicts, compounded by debates on format and distribution, led English and French clubs to withdraw participation for the 2014–15 season, culminating in the formation of the independent (EPCR) organization in 2014 to oversee rebranded competitions. Amlin sponsored the final pre-rebrand era from 2009 to 2014, providing financial stability amid the turmoil.

EPCR Challenge Cup era (2014–present)

The EPCR Challenge Cup was launched as part of a restructuring of European club rugby, driven by disputes between the English Premiership and French [Top 14](/page/Top 14) leagues with the European Rugby Cup (ERC) over television rights and revenue distribution. English and French clubs, supported by their unions, established (EPCR) to govern the competitions, leading to the rebranding of the European Challenge Cup into the European Rugby Challenge Cup alongside the new European Rugby Champions Cup. This shift resolved a protracted conflict, including a contentious four-year TV deal extension by ERC with that clashed with proposals from BT Sport. The inaugural EPCR Challenge Cup final, held on 23 May 2014 at , saw overcome Bath 30–16, marking England's first title in the competition's modern professional phase. Since its inception, the tournament has experienced steady growth, bolstered by expanded broadcast agreements that have increased global accessibility and integrated it more deeply as a qualifier pathway to the Champions Cup for clubs finishing outside the top echelons of their domestic leagues. Viewership has risen notably, with the 2023 final drawing significant audiences, including nearly 1.8 million in . Attendance has also climbed, averaging a 5% uplift across rounds in recent seasons, reflecting heightened fan engagement in a stabilized . However, challenges have punctuated this progress, including the pandemic's impact in 2020, when knockout fixtures, including the final, were rescheduled to empty stadiums in October; defeated 32–19 to win the title and qualify for the following year's Champions Cup. Geopolitical events further shaped the era, notably in 2022 when EPCR adhered to Rugby Europe's suspension of Russian and Belarusian unions amid the invasion of , barring clubs such as Krasny Yar from competition and reducing the pool of emerging Eastern European participants. Competitive trends have highlighted a mix of European and expanding global involvement in recent years, exemplified by the 2024 final at where South Africa's Hollywoodbets defeated 36–22—the first win by a non-European team. Recent champions include (2022, defeating 30–12), (2023, defeating 43–19), Hollywoodbets (2024), and Bath (2025, beating 37–12 for their second triumph). Since 2014, French clubs have secured six titles, English clubs four, with additional wins for ' Cardiff Blues (2018) and South Africa's (2024). Looking ahead, the 2025/26 season serves as a proving ground for refined qualification amid domestic league expansions, including greater South African involvement via the , potentially diversifying the field while maintaining the tournament's role in elevating second-tier European contenders toward elite contention.

Sponsorship, suppliers and media

Sponsors

The EPCR Challenge Cup has featured a range of title and principal sponsors since its inception as the European Challenge Cup in 1996, with sponsorship deals evolving alongside the tournament's format and the establishment of (EPCR) in 2014. Early title sponsorships focused on branding the competition itself, while later partnerships emphasized broader EPCR support across both the Challenge Cup and Champions Cup, contributing to event production, branding at finals, and revenue generation for tournament infrastructure up to 2025. The served as the inaugural title sponsor from 2001 to 2005, rebranding the tournament as the Parker Pen Challenge Cup during a period of expansion that included teams from additional nations. This deal enhanced visibility through pen branding on trophies and match materials, helping stabilize the competition's growth in its formative years. Following a gap, Amlin, a insurer, took over as title sponsor from 2009 to 2014 under a multi-year agreement valued at premium partnership levels, renaming it the Amlin Challenge Cup and providing financial backing that supported increased prize pools and international marketing efforts. Amlin's involvement ended with the transition to EPCR governance, after which the tournament operated without a dedicated title sponsor, adopting the neutral EPCR Challenge Cup branding from the 2014–15 season onward to align with the organization's unified commercial strategy. Heineken emerged as a cornerstone principal partner upon EPCR's formation in 2014, signing a multi-year deal that positioned the Dutch brewer as a supporter of both the Challenge Cup and Champions Cup, with prominent branding at finals and match-day activations across Europe. This partnership, building on Heineken's prior involvement in European club rugby since 1995, included hospitality programs and advertising rights that boosted fan engagement and commercial revenue. Heineken briefly held title rights to the Champions Cup from 2018 to 2023, but continued as a top-tier EPCR partner thereafter, focusing on sustainable initiatives and digital fan experiences shared with the Challenge Cup. In parallel, secondary partners like DHL joined in 2021 as the official logistics provider, handling tournament operations and contributing to efficient event delivery for Challenge Cup matches. Recent sponsorship developments have diversified EPCR's portfolio, with banking group securing title rights to the Champions Cup in a landmark five-year deal starting 2023–24, indirectly benefiting the through shared organizational funding and cross-promotional opportunities. In 2024, | JAECOO became the first official automotive partner in a multi-year agreement, providing vehicles for EPCR events and backing specific Challenge Cup clubs like to enhance on-ground activations. By 2025, Emirates entered as a premium partner and official airline for both tournaments under a multi-year pact, offering travel support for teams and global branding that extended to Challenge Cup finals, marking a strategic push into sponsorships. Other secondary contributors, such as watchmaker as official timekeeper since the mid-2010s and hotel chain from the 2021/22 season through 2025, have added layers of hospitality and timing services, emphasizing digital integration for and fan apps in the 2024–25 season. These sponsorships have significantly impacted EPCR's finances, with sponsorship revenue nearly tripling since the 2018–19 season through expanded partnerships, enabling investments in tournament infrastructure up to 2025. This growth reflects a shift toward high-impact, multi-tier deals that prioritize global reach and , while excluding certain international backers—such as Russian entities—amid geopolitical considerations following Russia's 2022 invasion of .

Suppliers

The EPCR Challenge Cup features official suppliers for match balls and officials' apparel, while participating clubs utilize their own team from various manufacturers. During the European Rugby Challenge Cup era (1996–2014), match balls were provided by multiple companies, including Webb Ellis from 2003 to 2010 and from 2009 to 2014, ensuring standardized equipment across competitions. Clubs relied on sponsor-specific , with like KooGa outfitting teams such as the Ospreys and in the early 2010s. Since the rebranding to the EPCR Challenge Cup in 2014, Gilbert has served as the exclusive match ball supplier, renewing its contract multiple times to provide specialized balls for all tournament matches, including the finals. For match officials' kits, held the role from 2014 to 2019, supplying apparel for over 130 games per season. took over in 2019 on a multi-year deal, extended in 2022 until the end of the 2024–25 season but cut short, providing kits for referees, touch judges, and EPCR staff until replaced. Macron assumed the position starting in the 2024–25 season with a multi-year agreement, outfitting more than 300 officials. Team kits remain club-determined, with no EPCR-wide mandate beyond incorporating tournament branding on jerseys during finals; prominent suppliers include for teams like Ireland's national side and several Premiership clubs, for entities such as Rangers FC's rugby programs and since 2023, and for historical deals with clubs like prior to 2018. These partnerships enhance uniformity in matchday presentation while allowing club identity. Innovations from suppliers have focused on and . In 2023, Kappa's officials' incorporated advanced moisture-wicking fabrics to improve comfort during extended matches. For the 2024/25 season, Macron introduced Eco Fabric in officials' jerseys, a derived entirely from recycled post-consumer , aligning with environmental goals shared by EPCR. These developments contribute to the tournament's professional aesthetics and operational efficiency.

Media coverage

The EPCR Challenge Cup enjoys extensive media coverage through a combination of domestic television deals, international streaming partnerships, and digital platforms, ensuring global accessibility for fans. In the and , serves as the lead broadcaster under a multi-year agreement starting from the 2024/25 season, covering all matches of the Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, including the creation of a dedicated 24/7 rugby channel. This deal replaced the previous long-term partnership with TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport), which had held rights since 2014. In France, beIN Sports holds the primary pay-TV rights through 2029/30, complemented by coverage from for select matches, including finals, to broaden audience reach. For specifically, while provides comprehensive coverage, broadcasts selected fixtures featuring Irish provinces to maintain national interest. Internationally, the tournament reaches audiences in key markets via targeted streaming and broadcast deals. In the United States, FloRugby has held exclusive streaming rights since the 2023/24 season, extended through a multi-year partnership in 2025 that includes live matches, replays, and highlights via the app. In , SuperSport provides coverage, often tying into broadcasts for South African teams, ensuring strong viewership in the region. These international arrangements reflect EPCR's strategy to expand beyond , with additional partners like in and Spark in . Digital platforms play a crucial role in non-televised markets, where EPCR.tv offers free live streams and on-demand content for regions without local broadcast rights, enhancing global participation. The 2025 season saw further digital enhancements, including improved highlight packages and interactive features on partner apps like , allowing fans to access post-match analysis and clips immediately after games. Viewership patterns demonstrate growing interest, particularly in finals and knockout stages, though specific global figures vary by market. The shift in broadcasting has evolved from the era of relative exclusivity under and shared deals with BT Sport, which limited access primarily to pay-TV subscribers, to a more diverse post-2020 landscape incorporating streaming services and elements for wider accessibility amid the rise of digital consumption during the .

References

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