Hayden Cottle
The draw for the 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup has been completed, as Europe's second tier sides now know their groups ahead of the new campaign.
Teams from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Italy, Georgia and South Africa will all contest rugby's smaller European competition, with prestigious silverware on the line.
Let's take a look at which teams were drawn in which groups ahead of the 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup.
Rugby Union
2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup groups
Pool 1
- Cheetahs
- Ulster Rugby
- USAP
- Dragons RFC
- Aviron Bayonnais
- Zebre Parma
Pool 2
- Benetton Rugby
- Lou Rugby
- Newcastle Red Bulls
- Sharks
- Castres Olympique
- Scarlets
Pool 3
- Ospreys
- Edinburgh Rugby
- Black Lion
- Harlequins
- RC Toulon
- RC Vannes
2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures
The following fixtures will take place across the four rounds of group stage action, leading in to knockout matches, which include round of 16 matches, quarter finals, semi finals and finals.
With each team set to face four of the five teams in their respective pools, the official fixtures will be released in due course.
Group Stages
- Round 1 - 16/17/18 October 2026
- Round 2 - 11/12/13 December 2026
- Round 3 - 8/9/10 January 2027
- Round 4 - 15/16/17 January 2027
Knockout Rounds
- Round of 16 - 2/3/4 April 2027
- Quarter Finals - 9/10/11 April 2027
- Semi Finals - 30 April / 1/2 May 2027
- Final - Friday 21st May 2027
