This article explains how to watch the Investec Champions Cup as the 2026-27 edition kicks off on Friday 16 October.
Below you’ll find a comprehensive guide to how to watch the Rugby European Champions Cup – including free options to watch Clermont Auvergne v Leinster and Toulouse v Exeter Chiefs in France – along with information on broadcasters elsewhere.
Don’t forget that if you are traveling abroad during the competition, you can use a VPN to watch your usual Investec Champions Cup live broadcast from abroad. Read on to find out more.
Champions Cup 2026-27: at a glance
– Dates: October 16, 2026 – May 22, 2027
– Watch every match: Premier Sports (UK/Ireland) / FloRugby (USA) / SuperSport (South Africa) / EPCR TV (worldwide)
– FREE STREAMS (selected matches only): S4C Clic / BBC iPlayer (UK), France TV (France)
– Watch from anywhere: Use it NordVPN to access your usual stream from abroad
Are there free Investec Champions Cup live streams?
Yes, several European Champions Cup matches will be available for free in both the UK and France during the 2026-27 season.
In Great Britain
Free-to-air Welsh channel S4C shows selected European games involving Welsh teams on terrestrial channel S4C, S4C Clic, BBC iPlayer and S4C Sports YouTube channel. Some options provide commentary in English as well as Welsh, although iPlayer is usually Welsh only.
This weekend they’ve decided to show Scarlets v Newcastle Red Bulls in the Challenge Cup (c/o 20:00 BST, Saturday 17 October), but you can catch a replay of Sunday afternoon’s clash between Northampton Saints and Cardiff in the Champions Cup on Sunday evening (20:00 BST).
In France
While you can watch all the European Rugby Champions Cup matches this season through the subscription service beIN Sports, selected games – usually involving French teams – are also available for free via the public service France TV – both on its streaming service and TV channels.
This weekend you can watch the following games for free:
- Saturday, October 17 Clermont Auvergne v Leinster (kick-off: 15:15 BST / 16:15 CET (local))
- Sunday, October 18 Toulouse v Exeter Chiefs (kick-off: 15:15 BST / 16:15 CET (local))
If you’re away from home this weekend but want to watch your usual free live stream of the European Champions Cup, it’s best to check it out NordVPN so you can watch from abroad. Read on to find out more.
Stream the Champions Cup from anywhere
Staying abroad does not have to prevent you from watching live broadcasts of the European Champions Cup. A VPN bypasses geoblocking by changing your IP address, allowing you to stream 2026-27 Champions Cup matches as if you were at home. Technology experts at TechRadar and Tom’s Guide rate NordVPN as number one in the world, thanks to its low price and unsurpassed ability to unblock streaming services.
Matches of the 1st round of the Champions Cup
Friday 16.10.2026
- Gloucester in Bordeaux Bègles
Kingsholm, Gloucester
Start: 20:00 BST
Saturday 17.10.2026
- Sale Sharks c Glasgow Warriors
CorpAcq Stadium, Salford
Start: 13:00 BST - Bulls v Stade Français
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Start: 13:00 BST - Clermont Auvergne v Leinster – FREE ON FRENCH TV IN FRANCE
Stade Marcel-Michelin, Clermont-Ferrand
Start: 3.15pm BST - Stormers c Bristol Bears
DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Start: 3.15pm BST - Connacht c Saracens
Dexcom Stadium, Galway
Kick off: 5.30pm BST - La Rochelle v Lions
Marcel Deflandre Stadium, La Rochelle
Kick off: 5.30pm BST - Munster in Racing 92
SuperValu Park Uí Chaoimh, Cork
Start: 20:00 BST - Bath in Montpellier
Say, Bath
Start: 20:00 BST
Sunday 18.10.2026
Where to watch the Investec Champions Cup in Great Britain
Like last season, the home of the European Rugby Champions Cup is Great Britain Premier Sportswhich have the right to broadcast all 63 matches of this year’s tournament. Subscribers can also enjoy coverage of the URC, the European Challenge Cup and the French Top 14.
UK viewers can sign up for Premier Sports via Sky, Virgin Media or Amazon. It costs £18.99 a month to add Premier Sports to your existing package, and with Sky you also have the option of paying £13.99 a month if you sign up for the whole year, or £130 (£10.83 a month) if you pay for 12 months in advance.
You can also get a standalone Premier Sports online streaming subscription, which works across a variety of apps and devices. It also costs £18.99 per month on an ongoing basis, £13.99 per month on a one-year contract or £130 per year (equivalent to £10.83 per month) if you pay upfront.
As mentioned earlier, some matches will also be available free-to-air on Welsh service S4C.
Watch the Champions Cup in Ireland
Premier Sports is also your destination for live streaming of the European Rugby Champions Cup in Ireland.
If you’re an existing Sky Sports customer, you can add Premier Sports Ireland to your subscription as part of the Sports Extra package (which also includes TNT Sports). This costs €10 per month for the first six months, before increasing to €25 per month for the next six months.
Premier Sports is also available with Now Sports Extra membership (daily and monthly memberships available from €11.99 per month) and via Virgin Media (check out their website for details).
Watch the Champions Cup lives in South Africa
In South Africa? You can follow the action of the European Rugby Champions Cup on SuperSport this season. There are various SuperSport packages available whether you want to stream or watch via DStv.
Broadcast of the Champions Cup in the USA
FloRugby (also home in USA PREM Rugby) has rights to the rest of this season’s matches. A monthly subscription to FloRugby costs $39.99, although you can save money by purchasing an annual contract for $155.88 (which costs £12.99 a month and also gives you access to other channels on the FloSports network).
Champions Cup coverage in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and more
In Australia, New Zealand, across Europe (including Italy) and in other countries where there is no separate broadcast agreement, EPCR TV should be your destination for live streams of the European Rugby Champions Cup. There are options to buy weekend and season passes – check prices where you are.
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