European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR)

News Summary:

On April 2, 2026, organizers observed low ticket sales for the Investec Champions Cup round of 16 fixture between Harlequins and Sale Sharks, with over 6,000 tickets still available, potentially leading to a 40% empty stadium and prompting calls for changes to the knockout format. This situation follows an earlier push for reform within the competition. On January 28, 2026, the English Premiership began exploring a shake-up of the Investec Champions Cup, with the French Top 14 and the URC reportedly aligning on the need for reform. Premiership Rugby executives are developing proposals aimed at refreshing the competition, which many perceive as bloated and diluted, and intend to present these ideas to European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR). Previously, on January 23, 2026, EPCR reported that its direct-to-consumer strategy for Italian broadcast coverage had doubled its yield from the market compared to a traditional television deal. These developments occur amid increasing criticism of the Champions Cup format, which has been cited since at least January 20, 2026, by clubs, coaches, and fans for putting excessive strain on players and squads, often resulting in weakened teams. Looking ahead, the European rugby finals, including the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, are scheduled to return to San Mamés at the end of May 2026, following a successful event in 2018; as of December 4, 2025, French teams accounted for half of the tickets sold.