Record-breaking scoring and over 1 million spectators in EPCR Pool stages

Full houses, record-breaking scoring and over 1 million spectators in the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Pool Stages

• Sold-out venues contribute to over 1 million spectators in the Pool Stages
• Comprehensive full coverage across the Pool stages from beIN Sport and France Télévisions, with peak audiences of over 2 million on France TV in every round
• Premier Sports delivers wall-to-wall rugby action across 56 live Pool games
• Increased digital and social engagement – 70% increase in web traffic
• World-class attacking rugby showcases Test rugby in club colours, with 613 tries scored across the Pool stages
• 84 matches delivered across nine nations

The Pool stages of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup came to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday night, with the final qualification spots for both competitions – and crucial home advantage – coming down to the very last match.

Every fixture was played across the Pool stages, despite Storm Darragh causing widespread disruption during Round 1 and freezing temperatures across Europe in Round 3. Indeed, Storm Darragh – which generated weather warnings across Europe – did not even dampen the spirits of fans, with the opening round resulting in a 2% increase in stadium attendances compared to last season.

With every Round 4 match crucial across both competitions – whether to secure qualification or to guarantee home advantage through the knock-out stages – the final line-up and pairings were uncertain right up until the very last fixture.

The Road to the Cardiff 25 Finals for the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup

There were full houses across Round 4 for Northampton Saints, Stade Toulousain, Benetton Rugby, Union Bordeaux-Bègles and Aviron Bayonnais, with travelling fans in full voice as Glasgow Warriors descended on Harlequins, Bath Rugby fans travelled over the Irish Sea to see their team face Leinster at the Aviva Stadium, and Leicester Tigers travelled south to Toulouse, amongst others.

Over 1 million spectators attended matches across the four Pool stages, with an increase of 2% in average attendances in the Investec Champions Cup compared to last season. Market-by-market, South Africa, Ireland, France and Italy all saw increases in average attendances for both Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup matches combined.

The Pool stages also saw a successful onboarding and launch of EPCR’s new UK and Ireland host broadcaster, Premier Sports. Broadcasting to audiences across linear, streaming and VOD platforms, Premier Sports and EPCR worked together to deliver best-in-class live production both in ground and via slick studio shows – bringing wall-to-wall live rugby action across an impressive 56 live pool games. Rugby fans were treated to top analysis and insights fronted by a 36-strong team of big name commentators and pundits including Chris Robshaw, Jamie Roberts, Lawrence Dallaglio, Andy Goode, Natasha Hunt, Simon Zebo and John Barclay.

A full-house for Northampton Saints v Munster Rugby as Calvin Nash runs in to score a try

On the sporting front, Round 4 saw 105 tries scored in the Investec Champions Cup and 78 tries scored in the EPCR Challenge Cup. Bath Rugby’s Alfie Barbeary scored the fastest try of the round at 1′ against Leinster.

In total, 252 tries were scored in the EPCR Challenge Cup and an incredible 361 in the Investec Champions Cup, demonstrating the attacking rugby on display.

Stade Toulousain continue their quest for a seventh star in the 30th season to replicate their success in the very first season. A second-place finish in Pool 1 secures them a home tie against Sale Sharks, who overcame three-time champions RC Toulon 33-7 in the final game of the Pool stage to secure their Investec Champions Cup knock-out spot.

An historic win for Benetton Rugby against two-time champions Stade Rochelais in front of a packed home stadium secured their progress to the Round of 16 for the first time in their history.

Meanwhile, Castres Olympique travelled to North London and Saracens, coming from behind in a tightly-contested match to pip the three-time winners to a top-two finish and vital home advantage in Pool 3.

In the EPCR Challenge Cup, three of the four Welsh sides have progressed to the Round of 16, boding well for home hopes on the Road to Cardiff 25 Finals – which takes place on Friday 23 May at the Principality Stadium.

RC Toulon’s Dan Biggar is tackled by Dan du Preez and Bevan Rodd of Sale Sharks

The action across the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup continues to excite and engage fans on digital platforms. There has been a 70% increase year-on-year of web users on EPCRugby.com, the home of the tournaments, with 55,000 new followers and 4.3 million engagements across EPCR’s social channels. Younger audiences are demonstrating an appetite for the extraordinary moments of the competitions, with TikTok the biggest growth platform.

Dominic McKay, Chairman of EPCR, said: “We’re delighted with the conclusion of the Pool stages of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.

“We’ve seen some world-class sporting action on the pitch that has enthralled fans in stadia, on television and on digital platforms, with some special performances from the teams across both competitions and over 1 million fans attending games with millions more watching around the world.

“I’d like to extend my thanks to the clubs, Match Officials and of course the team at EPCR for delivering 84 matches across nine nations over the last two months, and we look forward to the action returning with a sensational Round of 16 in April.”

Jacques Raynaud, CEO of EPCR, added: “We’re very proud of the reach of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, demonstrated by the significant up-take in digital engagement and sensational figures from our French broadcast partners beIN and France TV.

“With the final line-ups for the Round of 16 coming down to the very last match of the Pool stages, this demonstrates the format ensures jeopardy across the final weekend. Every match was crucial for either qualification to the knock-outs or the all-important home advantage. Clubs must play their very best throughout the Pool stages to ensure they are in the best position to progress through the knock-out stages.

“The final weekend has set us up perfectly for an exciting Round of 16. We can’t wait.”

In what is a landmark 30th season for the Champions Cup, EPCR are celebrating the history of the competitions, the icons of the game, the intensity of the matches, the world-class skills on display, and 30 years of champions. It all culminates in the 2025 EPCR Finals Weekend in Cardiff – the city that hosted the very first Final – on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 May 2025. Tickets are now available for fans who want to be part of history, here.

Benetton Rugby celebrate at the final whistle against Stade Rochelais