EPCR marking landmark 30th season as the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup 2024/25 get underway

• From 12 clubs to 42, from five unions to eight, over 25 million spectators and 12 Champions – 30 years of world-class rugby action
• Dominic McKay, Chairman of EPCR: “There is so much incredible history in our competitions – rich stories making up the fabric of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup. It is hugely exciting to look back on an iconic heritage and see how far we have come in 30 years and the heights the competition has reached.”  
• Initiatives to celebrate 30 seasons include the EPCR Dream 15 chosen from across the 30 seasons, as well as a lookback at the iconic moments that have contributed to the pinnacle of international club rugby  
• The 2024/25 season concludes in Cardiff, where the very first Final took place.

The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup get underway on Friday 6 December, kicking off a landmark 30th season for the pinnacle of international club rugby.

This season, EPCR will celebrate 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 began in modest circumstances, with current Investec Champions Cup champions and six-star holders Stade Toulousain making the journey to play the Romanians of Farul Constanta in October 1995. But 30 years and over 25 million spectators later, this most elite of club rugby tournaments has left an indelible mark on the global game.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmU1F6qKp6E 

Over the past 30 seasons, the international club competitions have grown from these modest beginnings.

The number of clubs bidding to win an EPCR title has grown from 12 to 42, with eight unions represented up from the original five. Fans can revel in 114 matches every season and can follow from across the world, with the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup broadcast in 160 markets globally.

The first Final saw Stade Toulousain beat Cardiff in extra time to win the first title, in front of a crowd of 21,800 at Cardiff Arms Park. At the last Final at Tottenham Hotspur’s iconic stadium last May, the crowd in one of the world’s most advanced stadiums was almost triple that size.

To celebrate this milestone, EPCR will be rolling out a number of initiatives across the 2024/25 season, culminating in the EPCR Finals Weekend in Cardiff – the city that hosted the very first Final – on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 May 2025.

Stade Toulousain captain, Emile Ntamack, lifts the trophy following the inaugural final in 1996. © Getty Images

Dominic McKay, Chairman of EPCR, said: “There is so much incredible history in our competitions – rich stories making up the fabric of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup. It is hugely exciting to look back on our iconic heritage and see how far we have come in 30 years and the heights the competition has reached.

“With recent record-breaking seasons year-on-year, we are very proud we are continuing to make history and see new chapters being written – including the very first winners, Toulouse, becoming the first club to win a sixth star and the Hollywoodbets Sharks becoming the very first South African team to win an EPCR title.

“Proudly showcasing our heritage and what we have achieved over the past 30 seasons demonstrates what we can collectively achieve as we look forward to the next season and beyond.

“Fans will be so familiar with the world-class stars of the game and incredible clubs who have graced our competitions over the last 30 years. We have father-and-son champions in Emile and Romain Ntamack at Stade Toulousain, three-time back-to-back winners RC Toulon and Jonny Wilkinson, legends of the game like Lawrence Dallaglio and his win with Wasps. Multiple title winners like Stade Rochelais and Leinster have ignited incredible rivalries in more recent editions and every match has a story to tell.

“Over the past three seasons, we have seen outstanding engagement with and support from fans of the competition around the world. Last season, we welcomed 1.5 million spectators into stadia, a record 70 million broadcast audience and surpassed 1 million social media followers. We are expanding our partner family and have a suite of ambitious and passionate broadcasters.

“Our game has changed and progressed enormously in the last 30 years, and with ongoing projects such as the World Club Cup and international women’s club rugby competition, the future is very bright.

“I’d like to extend our thanks to our partner family – our Champions Cup title partner Investec, Heineken, DHL, OMODA | JAECOO, Georgia Tourism, Tissot, Macron, Gilbert and Qatar Airways, who have been a huge part of the journey.”

Stade Toulousain celebrate winning the 2023/24 Investec Champions Cup

Across EPCR’s digital platforms and in-bowl from Friday’s kick-off at Bath Rugby v Stade Rochelais, fans will be treated to a lookback at 30 years of history, icons, passion, intensity and champions.

EPCR are asking fans to vote for the Dream 15 from the last 30 years, voting from a shortlist of rugby superstars selected with input from rugby journalists and pundits, EPCR staff and data.

Cian Healy, the player who set a new record for Champions Cup appearances and four-time winner, secured the public vote at loosehead prop, while fellow Ireland and Leinster front row Tadgh Furlong was voted at tighthead.

Mako Vunipola, Graham Rowntree, Cyril Baille, Andrew Sheridan, Martin Castrogiovanni, Carl Hayman, Uini Atonio and John Hayes completed the shortlist.

The next round of voting for the Dream 15 will take place following the Round 2 action of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.

EPCR are asking fans to vote for the Dream 15 from the last 30 years

Thirty years of stories will be rolled out to showcase iconic moments both on and off the pitch, which will be launched via EPCRugby.com, with a number of other exciting partnerships and initiatives launching over the coming months.

Jacques Raynaud, CEO of EPCR, added: “This is an incredible milestone for our competitions and we are looking forward to celebrating 30 seasons whilst enjoying world-class action on the pitch as our 42 clubs bid to win this season’s titles.

“We will be rolling out exciting initiatives across our platforms that tap into the emotion and heritage of our incredible competitions and celebrate the world-class stars that have taken part.

“The intention is not just to celebrate 30 years of history, stories and champions, but to mark our intent to continue to captivate players, fans and the rugby world with record-breaking seasons, an expanding partner family and new markets. We are continuing to innovate and break new ground – and a big thank you goes to our main broadcast partners of beIN Sports, France TV, SuperSport, Premier Sports, RTÉ, S4C and FloRugby who beam our competitions into homes around the globe.

“We’re delighted to be concluding the season with a return to Cardiff for the 30th edition of our Final and look forward to welcoming a packed stadium to see who will win the 2025 Final.”

Further initiatives to celebrate the 30-year history will be launched throughout the season.

The 2024/25 season of the Investec Champions Cup kicks off on Friday 6 December, with Bath Rugby hosting Stade Rochelais at The Rec.

Meanwhile just up the road in Gloucester, the EPCR Challenge Cup sees last season’s finalists Gloucester take on Edinburgh Rugby. Dragons RFC face Montpellier Hérault Rugby at Rodney Parade.

All matches tomorrow kick off at 2000 local time.

Don’t miss a minute of the action – check where to watch every match here.

For a full list of fixtures, visit EPCRugby.com.

The 2024/25 Investec Champions Cup concludes at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, where the very first Final took place