How to watch European Rugby Champions Cup 2026/27: Free streams & TV channels

Stream European Rugby Champions Cup 2026/27 free on S4C (UK) / France TV (France) Unlock your stream with NordVPN (save up to 75%) EPCR Matchday 1: Fri, Oct 16 – Sun, Oct 18 (fixtures below) Back-to-back champions Bordeaux's European Rugby Champions Cup title defense begins against early Gallagher PREM leaders Gloucester on Friday, in the first of 12 Matchday 1 ties across three days.

L'Union haven't got off to the best of starts domestically, but that hasn't tended to affect their European form, whereas Jac Morgan has supercharged the Cherry and Whites.

Glasgow Warriors, the only EPCR team yet to taste defeat this term, kick off their campaign at Sale on Saturday, while Top 14 leaders and competition favorites Toulouse are up against Exeter on Sunday.

Leinster's quest to secure the trophy in Leo Cullen's final season begins with a trip to Clermont, while Connacht, back in Europe's top-tier tournament after a four-year absence, return to EPCR action against Saracens.

Challenge Cup winners Montpellier have a chance to show they've got what it takes with an opening round showdown against Bath.

There will be emotional scenes as La Rochelle host tournament debutants Johannesburg Lions barely 24 hours after the South African side's lock Hyron Andrews passed away.

The 31-year-old fell after an accident at the team hotel and couldn't be revived.

There will be a minute's silence to honor Andrews, after the Lions elected to play in their teammate's honor Here's how to watch European Rugby Champions Cup 2026/27 from anywhere in the world.

We've also listed the Matchday 1 EPCR fixtures below.

European Rugby Champions Cup 2026/27 schedule Click to see more ▼ (All times UK) Matchday 1 Friday, October 16 8pm – Gloucester vs Bordeaux Bègles Saturday, October 17 1pm – Sale vs Glasgow Warriors 1pm – Pretoria Bulls vs Stade Francais 3.15pm – Clermont vs Leinster | FREE on France TV 3.15pm – Stormers vs Bristol 5.30pm – Connacht vs Saracens 5.30pm – La Rochelle vs Johannesburg Lions 8pm – Munster vs Racing 92 8pm – Bath vs Montpellier Sunday, October 18 1pm – Pau vs Leicester Tigers 3.15pm – Toulouse vs Exeter Chiefs | FREE on France TV 5.30pm – Northampton Saints vs Cardiff | FREE on S4C (at 10.05pm BST) Can you watch European Rugby Champions Cup 2026/27 for free? Yes .

Select European Rugby Champions Cup games are shown on free-to-air France 2 in France each matchweek, with live streaming available via France TV .

Free EPCR coverage is also available via S4C in the UK, albeit on tape-delay, with streaming available via BBC iPlayer .

Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch EPCR 2026/27 games for free as if you were right at home.