EPCR Challenge Cup 2026/27: key dates for Edinburgh including pool stage draw and possible opponents

That also means that Sean Everitt’s side have missed out on a spot in the 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup and will play in the EPCR Challenge Cup instead. Supporters will be hoping that, with an improved season, they can go deep into the tournament and do something special.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2026/27 Challenge Cup including when the Pool Stage draw will be made, other key dates and the format:

When is the draw for the 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup Pool Stage?

The draw for the Pool Stage of the 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup will be made on Wednesday, July 1. The competition gets underway on Friday, October 16.

The 2027 final will return to France next year with Lyon chosen as the host city. The 59,186-seat OL Stadium will be the venue.

Which teams have qualified for the 2026/27 Champions Cup?

The 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup will feature 18 clubs and will be made up of teams from the URC, England’s Gallagher Premiership, France’s Top 14 and two invited clubs.

Here is the 18 team line-up for the 2026/27 Champions Cup:

United Rugby Championship

• Sharks
• Benetton
• Edinburgh Rugby
• Scarlets
• Ospreys
• Ulster Rugby
• Dragons RFC
• Zebre Parma

Top 14

• RC Toulon
• Aviron Bayonnais
• Lyon OU
• Castres Olympique
• Vannes
• USA Perpignan or Provence Rugby

Invited clubs (TBC but likely)

• Cheetahs
• Black Lion

The final team to be confirmed will come from the Pro 14 relegation/promotion match where Perpignan will face Provence for a spot in both France’s top flight and the Challenge Cup next season. The two invited clubs are yet to officially be confirmed but are expected to be the Cheetahs from South Africa and Black Lion from Georgia.

EPCR Challenge Cup 2026/27 format

The 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup will follow the same format as previous seasons with the 18 teams divided into three pools of six. The top three clubs in each pool will advance to the Round of 16 where they will have home ties.

The teams who finish fourth in their respective groups will be away in the Round of 16 as will the best ranked fifth place team from the three pools and the four teams who finished fifth in their respective Investec Champions Cup groups. Teams are seeded based on their pool stage performances with the quarter-finals and semi-finals seeing home advantage given to the higher-ranked team.

The Round of 16 is pre-determined with firth in the seedings facing 16th, second hosting 15th, third at home to 14th and so on. The final will be held at a neutral venue.

Why are Edinburgh playing in the EPCR Challenge Cup

Edinburgh finished the 2025/26 URC season in 12th place after an ultimately disappointing season for the capital club. The means Sean Everitt’s side missed out on qualification for the Investec Champions Cup as they would have needed to finish in the top eight to do so.

Your next rugby read: Gregor Townsend is World Cup-bound - 28 years after France 98 stag do