How to watch Investec Champions Cup live streams when the final round of pool matches kicks off this weekend
This article explains how to watch the Investec Champions Cup when the 2025-26 edition of the competition’s pool stage concludes this weekend.
You’ll find a comprehensive guide to ways to watch the European Rugby Champions Cup below, with info on broadcasters in the UK, Ireland, South Africa and around the world.
Heading into the final round of pool fixtures, Bordeaux Bègles (the reigning champions), Bristol Bears, Glasgow Warriors, Harlequins, Leinster, Northampton Saints and Sale Sharks have all secured their places in the round-of-16. That means some of the most fancied sides in the competition still have all to play for this weekend, including Toulouse (who host Sale Sharks), Bath Rugby (who welcome Edinburgh to the Rec) and the Stormers (who’ll be getting a visit from Leicester Tigers).
Don’t forget that if you’re travelling overseas over the course of the season, you can use a VPN to watch your usual Investec Champions Cup live stream from abroad. Read on to find out more. You’ll also find the fourth round of fixtures at the bottom of the page.
Champions Cup rugby: Key information
– Dates: 5 December 2025 – 24 May 2026
– Watch every match: Premier Sports (UK/Ireland) / FloRugby (US) / SuperSport (South Africa) / EPCR TV (around the world)
– FREE STREAMS (selected matches only): S4C Clic / BBC iPlayer (UK), France TV (France)
– Watch from anywhere: Use NordVPN to access your usual stream from abroad
Are there any free Investec Champions Cup live streams?
Yes, European Champions Cup games will be available for free in both the UK and France over the course of the 2025-26 season.
In the UK
Free-to-air Welsh channel S4C often shows one match featuring a Welsh region in each round of the competition, across the S4C terrestrial channel, S4C Clic, BBC iPlayer and the S4C Chwaraeon YouTube channel. Some options provide commentary in English as well as Welsh, though iPlayer is usually Welsh-only.
This weekend, however, the channel has opted to prioritise Challenge Cup matches featuring Welsh teams.
In France
In France, two games per round are available for free via public broadcaster France TV. This weekend you can watch:
- Bayonne v Leinster (3.15pm GMT/4.15pm CET (local), Saturday 17 January)
- La Rochelle v Harlequins (3.15pm GMT/4.15pm CET (local), Sunday 18 January)
You can also watch every European Rugby Champions Cup game this season through subscription service beIN Sports.
If you’re away from home this weekend but want to watch your usual free European Champions Cup live stream, it’s best to check out NordVPN so you can watch from overseas. Read on to find out more.
Stream the Champions Cup from anywhere
Going away for business or pleasure over the course of the season doesn’t mean you have to miss out on watching your favourite team in European action. Fans who are travelling overseas can watch their usual service with the help of a VPN.
A VPN (or Virtual Private Network) is a clever piece of software that allows you to change the IP address of your smartphone, tablet or laptop. This means your device can appear to be back home, allowing you to watch your usual live or on-demand content as if you were back on your sofa – assuming it complies with the broadcaster’s T&Cs, of course.
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Where to watch Investec Champions Cup in the UK
As it was last season, the European Rugby Champions Cup’s UK home is Premier Sports, who have rights to air all 63 matches of this year’s tournament. Subscribers can also enjoy coverage of PREM Rugby, the European Challenge Cup, the French Top 14, US Major League Rugby and Japan Rugby One.
UK viewers can sign up to Premier Sports through the Sky, Virgin Media or Amazon platforms. It costs £16.99 per month to add Premier Sports to your existing package, and with Sky you also have the option to pay £11.99 per month if you sign up for the whole year, or £120 (£10.00 per month) if you pay for 12 months up front.
You can also get a standalone online streaming subscription to Premier Sports, which works across a variety of apps and devices. It costs £16.99 a month on a rolling basis, £11.99 a month on a year-long contract, or £120 a year (equivalent to £10 per month) if you pay up front.
Premier Sports is also available on your TV via Sky Q, Prime Video, STV Player and Virgin Media.
As previously mentioned, some matches will also be available for free on Welsh service S4C.
Watch the the Champions Cup in Ireland
Premier Sports is also your destination for European Rugby Champions Cup live streams in Ireland.
If you’re an existing Sky Sports customer, you can add Premier Sports Ireland to your subscription as part of the Sports Extra pack (which also includes TNT Sports). This costs €10 per month for the first six months, before rising to €25 per month for the next six months.
Premier Sports is also available with a Now Sports Extra membership (day and month memberships are available from €11.99 per month), and through Virgin Media (check their website for details).
Watch the Champions Cup live in South Africa
In South Africa? You can watch the Bulls, the Sharks and the Stormers in European Rugby Champions Cup action on SuperSport this season. There are various SuperSport packages available, whether you want to watch via DStv or stream.
Stream the Champions Cup in the US
FloRugby (also the US home of PREM Rugby) has the rights to the rest of this season’s matches. A monthly FloRugby subscription costs $29.99, though you can save money by grabbing an annual deal for $150 (which works out at £12.50 per month and also gives you access to other channels on the FloSports network).
Champions Cup coverage in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and more
In Australia, New Zealand, across Europe (including Italy) and in other countries where there’s no separate broadcast deal in place, EPCR TV should be your destination for European Rugby Champions Cup live streams. There are options to buy weekend and season passes – check prices where you are.
European Rugby Champions Cup round 4 fixtures
Here’s what’s coming up in fourth round of European Rugby Champions Cup fixtures.
Friday 16 January 2026
- Pau v Bulls
Stade du Hameau, Pau
Kick-off: 8.00pm GMT - Bath Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby
The Rec, Bath
Kick-off: 8.00pm GMT
Saturday 17 January 2026
- Sharks v Clermont Auvergne
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 1.00pm GMT - Bayonne v Leinster – FREE ON FRANCE TV IN FRANCE
Stade Jean-Dauger, Bayonne
Kick-off: 3.15pm GMT - Stormers v Leicester Tigers
DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 3.15pm GMT - Toulouse v Sale Sharks
Stade Ernest Wallon, Toulouse
Kick-off: 5.30pm GMT - Munster v Castres
Thomond Park, Limerick
Kick-off: 5.30pm GMT - Gloucester Rugby v Toulon
Kingsholm, Gloucester
Kick-off: 8.00pm GMT
Sunday 18 January 2026
- Bristol Bears v Bordeaux Bègles
Ashton Gate, Bristol
Kick-off: 1.00pm GMT - Northampton Saints v Scarlets
cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
Kick-off: 3.15m GMT - La Rochelle v Harlequins – FREE ON FRANCE TV IN FRANCE
Stade Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle
Kick-off: 3.15pm GMT - Glasgow Warriors v Saracens
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
Kick-off: 5.30pm GMT
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