Bordeaux Begin Champions Cup Defense as 2026/27 Season Opens With Free Streams

The opening round starts Friday at 8 p.m. UK time with Gloucester vs Bordeaux Bègles. On Saturday, Sale face Glasgow Warriors and Pretoria Bulls meet Stade Francais at 1 p.m.; Clermont play Leinster at 3.15 p.m. on free-to-air France TV; Stormers face Bristol at 3.15 p.m.; Connacht play Saracens and La Rochelle host Johannesburg Lions at 5.30 p.m.; and Munster face Racing 92 and Bath play Montpellier at 8 p.m. On Sunday, Pau meet Leicester Tigers at 1 p.m., Toulouse play Exeter Chiefs at 3.15 p.m. on France TV, and Northampton Saints face Cardiff at 5.30 p.m., with free coverage on S4C at 10.05 p.m. BST.

TechRadar reported that Glasgow Warriors are the only EPCR team yet to lose this season. Top 14 leaders and competition favorites Toulouse face Exeter, while Leinster begin their campaign in Leo Cullen's final season with a trip to Clermont. Connacht return to Europe's top-tier tournament after a four-year absence and play Saracens. Challenge Cup winners Montpellier open against Bath. Bordeaux have not started well domestically, but that has not tended to affect their European form, while Jac Morgan has strengthened Gloucester.

La Rochelle's home match against Johannesburg Lions will be played less than 24 hours after Lions lock Hyron Andrews died. The 31-year-old fell after an accident at the team hotel and could not be revived, according to TechRadar. A minute's silence will be held, and the Lions chose to play in their teammate's honor.

Free European Rugby Champions Cup coverage is available on France 2 in France each matchweek, with live streaming via France TV. In the UK, S4C shows select games on a tape-delay basis, with streaming via BBC iPlayer. TechRadar said viewers traveling abroad can use a VPN to access their usual services, and recommended NordVPN, which is advertised with up to 75% off, three extra months free, and access to BBC iPlayer and France TV.

In the United States, all 63 games of the 2026/27 campaign are available on FloRugby. A subscription costs $39.99 on a rolling monthly basis, or $155.99 for a year, equivalent to $12.99 per month. In the UK, all 63 games are shown on Premier Sports, which costs £18.99 monthly or £150 per year and can be added to Sky TV, Virgin Media or Prime Video. Cardiff games are shown in full on tape delay on S4C, with live streaming via BBC iPlayer. In Australia, EPCrugby.tv carries all 63 games, with a full season pass costing €49.99, about AU$80.

Editor's Summary

The European Rugby Champions Cup 2026/27 begins with 12 Matchday 1 fixtures from Oct. 16 to 18, as Bordeaux Bègles open their title defense against Gloucester. Free coverage is available via France TV and S4C, while Premier Sports, FloRugby and EPCrugby.tv hold rights in the UK, US and Australia. La Rochelle's match against Johannesburg Lions will go ahead after the death of Lions lock Hyron Andrews, with a minute's silence planned.