European Rugby Champions Cup

Leinster celebrate winning the 2009 European Rugby Champions Cup

The European Rugby Champions Cup (known as the Heineken Champions Cup for sponsorship reasons) is an annual rugby union competition, contested by the top club sides that make up the Six Nations. Formerly known as the Heineken Cup, Leinster and Toulouse have both won the competition on four occasions.

Exeter Chiefs are the current holders, winning their first title having defeated Racing 92 in the 2020 final 31-27 at Ashton Gate in Bristol. Leinster and Toulouse have both won the competition a record four times.


Format of the European Rugby Champions Cup

20 teams qualify for the European Rugby Champions Cup, with 19 of the teams qualifying via the following methods:

  • England – Top 6 teams in the Premiership Rugby competition
  • France – Top 6 teams in the Top 14 competition
  • Ireland, Italy, Scotland & Wales – Top 7 teams in the Pro14 competition

The 20th team is determined by the following:

  1. European Rugby Champions Cup winner if not already qualified
  2. European Rugby Challenge Cup winner if not already qualified
  3. European Rugby Champions Cup runner-up if not already qualified
  4. European Rugby Champions Cup semi-finalist if one has not already qualified (a play-off is held if both have not qualified)
  5. Highest ranked club from the same league as European Rugby Champions Cup who has not already qualified

Teams are divided into 5 groups of 4 teams, playing each other in home and away fixtures. The 5 pool winners and 3 best runners-up go through to the quarter finals knockout stages, followed by semi-finals and concluding in the Final.


Future European Rugby Champions Cup Final’s

2020-2021 European Rugby Champions Cup Final (22nd May 2021) – Venue TBC

2021-2022 European Rugby Champions Cup Final (28th May 2022) – Stade Vélodrome (Marseille, France)

2022-2023 European Rugby Champions Cup Final (May 2022) – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London, England)


How do I get tickets to the European Rugby Champions Cup?

Ticketing information for clubs competing in the European Rugby Champions Cup is available by clicking on the venue links above (where available).


Further Information

European Rugby Champions Cup Official Website


Last Updated on April 6, 2021 by Sports Tourist

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