Winning on home soil is a special feeling. But when it comes to rugby rivalries, the European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup prove that there’s nothing sweeter than beating your neighbors. Rivalries usually reserved for the Six Nations tournament retake center stage with rival European clubs battling it out. Add the strength and flair of South African teams Bulls, Stormers, and Sharks to the Champions Cup, with the Lions and Cheetahs added to the Challenge Cup, and you get some of the world’s finest and fiercest rugby competitions.
How to watch EPCR Champions Cup and Challenge Cup 2023–24 with a VPN
You can securely live stream 2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup games with a VPN in just a few simple steps:
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a server location that matches the broadcaster you want to watch. For example, British fans who want to watch UK broadcasters should connect to a server in London.
- Check the schedule of the broadcaster you want to watch, like TNT Sports.
- Tune in and enjoy the games!
Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, be sure to use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Can I use a VPN to watch the EPCR Champions Cup and Challenge Cup from another country?
Some users watch the European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup by connecting to a VPN server in a country other than their own, but doing so may violate copyright or the streaming service’s terms of use. ExpressVPN is a privacy and security tool, and using it to circumvent copyright is against our Terms of Service. We cannot see or control what you do while connected to our VPN, so you are responsible for ensuring that your use complies with all relevant terms and laws.
Best VPN for watching the European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for safely and securely streaming the European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup. With next-gen 10-Gbps servers in locations around the world, you can enjoy the full privacy protections of a VPN without ever missing a second of the action. ExpressVPN has easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, not to mention a range of ways to stream on your big-screen TV. If you need help along the way, ExpressVPN offers 24/7 live chat support and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee!
Where to watch European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup in your country
Live European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup in the UK
ITVX
Price: Free
ITV is showing one Champions Cup match per round in the UK and Ireland—including the big final—for free until the end of the 2023–24 season.
Discovery+
Price: 30 GBP/month and up (Premium plan)
Channels: TNT Sports
TNT Sports has exclusive rights to both the European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup in the UK and Ireland and will show all 48 live games from the pool stage of the 2023–24 Champions Cup. British and Irish rugby fans can access TNT Sports through Discovery+’s Premium plan, along with Eurosport and a host of entertainment channels. It’s also a great way to watch other popular rugby competitions, including Premiership Rugby, as well as football, MotoGP, cricket, boxing, and WWE. With the monthly pass, you can live stream all the action without a contract or TV box.
Live European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup in Ireland
RTÉ Player
Price: Free
Irish viewers can use RTÉ Player to tune into one Champions Cup match per round in the UK and Ireland—including the big final—for free until the end of the 2023–24 season.
Live European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup in France
France TV
Price: Free
France TV broadcasts are free; however, note that the stream is in French, and only select matches will be streamed live. Check the official schedule for more information.
Watch European Rugby Champions Cup highlights on YouTube
Check out the latest highlights, news, interviews, practices, and previews on the official Heineken Champions Cup YouTube channel.
European Rugby Champions Cup 2023–24 schedule
Round | Date |
Round 1 | December 8–10, 2023 |
Round 2 | December 15–17, 2023 |
Round 3 | January 12–14, 2024 |
Round 4 | January 19–21, 2024 |
Round of 16 | April 5–7, 2024 |
Quarter-finals | April 12–14, 2024 |
Semi-finals | May 3–5, 2024 |
Heineken Champions Cup final | May 25, 2024 |
Which teams are in the 2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup?
Pool A
Team | Country |
Bordeaux | France |
Bristol Bears | England |
Bulls | South Africa |
Lyon | France |
Saracens | England |
Connacht | Ireland |
Pool B
Team | Country |
Toulouse | France |
Bath | England |
Harlequins | England |
Racing 92 | France |
Ulster | Ireland |
Cardiff | Wales |
Pool C
Team | Country |
Northampton Saints | England |
Exeter Chiefs | England |
Bayonne | France |
Munster | Ireland |
Toulon | France |
Glasgow Warriors | Scotland |
Pool D
Team | Country |
Leicester Tigers | England |
Sale Sharks | England |
Leinster | Ireland |
La Rochelle | France |
Stormers | South Africa |
Stade Français | France |
EPCR European Challenge Cup 2023–24 schedule
Round | Date |
Round 1 | December 8–10, 2023 |
Round 2 | December 15–17, 2023 |
Round 3 | January 12–14, 2024 |
Round 4 | January 19–21, 2024 |
Round of 16 | April 5–7, 2024 |
Quarter-finals | April 12–14, 2024 |
Semi-finals | May 3–5, 2024 |
EPCR Challenge Cup final | May 24, 2024 |
How many teams enter the Challenge Cup?
A total of 18 teams enter the EPCR Challenge Cup, qualifying from Premiership Rugby, the Top 14, and the United Rugby Championship as a result of their domestic league performance (the top teams from those competitions qualify for the Champions Cup). One additional side qualifies through invitation, making 18 teams.
Pool A
Team | Country |
Sharks | South Africa |
Dragons | Wales |
Cheetahs | South Africa |
Oyonnax | France |
Zebre Parma | Italy |
Pau | France |
Pool B
Team | Country |
Ospreys | Wales |
Montpellier | France |
Lions | South Africa |
Newcastle Falcons | England |
Benetton Rugby | Italy |
USAP | France |
Pool C
Team | Country |
Castres | France |
Clermont | France |
Gloucester | England |
Black Lion | Georgia |
Edinburgh | Scotland |
Scarlets | Wales |
What is the EPCR Challenge Cup format?
After the pool stage, 16 teams progress to the knockout stages, starting with a single-leg round of 16 matches, then the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.
What is the difference between the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup?
The Champions Cup is the highest tier of European club rugby, while the Challenge Cup is the second tier.
Who are the favorites for the 2023–24 European Cups?
French sides La Rochelle, Toulon, and Toulouse are many of the bookies’ favorites, but don’t count out Ireland’s Leinster. is among the favorites for the Challenge Cup title, boosted by Fijian wing Waisea Nayacalevu.
ExpressVPN is a VPN service not intended to be used as a means of copyright circumvention. Please read the ExpressVPN Terms of Service and your content provider’s Terms of Use for more details.
FAQ: About European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup
Where is the European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) based?
The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) organization was established in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, in 2014. It is now headquartered in the Swiss city of Lausanne.
What is EPCR rugby?
European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) is the organizer of European rugby competitions like the annual Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup (Europe’s top and second tier tournaments, respectively).
Is rugby big in Europe?
Rugby is especially popular in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, and Wales) and Ireland, as well parts of Europe such as France and Italy. The sport is increasingly growing in popularity in European countries such as Georgia and Romania, while Spain, Portugal, Germany, and the Netherlands have also all seen rises in the number of clubs and competitions.
Who is the European Rugby Player of the Year?
In 2022, Leinster wing forward Josh van der Flier was named European Rugby Player of the Year. Here are the 2023 EPCR Player of the Year Nominees:
Grégory Alldritt (Stade Rochelais)
Gavin Coombes (Munster Rugby)
Caelan Doris (Leinster Rugby)
Elliot Daly (Saracens)
Antoine Dupont (Stade Toulousain)
Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks)
Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks)
Siya Kolisi (Cell C Sharks)
Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks)
Julien Marchand (Stade Toulousain)
Emmanuel Meafou (Stade Toulousain)
Jamie Osborne (Leinster Rugby)
Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby)
Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
Josh Van Der Flier (Leinster Rugby)