The European Rugby Champions Cup, known as the Investec Champions Cup for sponsorship reasons, and often referred to as simply the Champions Cup, is European – and South African – rugby union’s premier club competition. An annual knock-out tournament, the Champions Cup pits the very best teams from England’s Premiership, France’s Top 14, and the United Rugby Championship (URC), which includes teams from Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales. With the 2023/24 tournament set to begin on 8 December, here’s everything you need to know about the Champions Cup!
Champions Cup History
Initially called the Heineken Cup, the inaugural edition of the Champions Cup took place in 1995, and featured teams from France, Ireland, Italy, Romania, and Wales. England and Scottish teams then joined the competition ahead of the 1996/97 tournament. In 2014 the competition became known as the Champions Cup, although naming rights have since changed back to Heineken and more recently Investec in the years since.
After South African sides joined the URC for the 2017/18 season, it was agreed that the Champions Cup would cease to be a solely European affair, with the 2022/23 Champions Cup featuring teams from outside the continent for the first time – namely Bulls, Sharks, and Stormers.
The Champions Cup is one of the most coveted trophies in club rugby union, and the final is one of the biggest occasions in the European, and now South African, rugby calendar. Since 1995, teams from France have won the competition on 11 occasions, teams from England on 10 occasions, and teams from Ireland on 7 occasions. The most successful club in the event’s history is 5-time winners Stade Toulousain of France.
Champions Cup Format & Schedule
The Champions Cup is the premier club competition in European rugby union: only the teams which finish the previous campaign in the top-8 places in the English Premiership, the top-8 places in the French Top 14, and the top 8 places in the URC typically qualify – although exact standings may differ, as qualifying spots are also given to the previous season’s European cup winners. The teams which finish outside the Champions Cup places may qualify for the Challenge Cup, Europe’s second-tier club competition.
The current Champions Cup format differs from the competition’s original format. Today, the tournament is comprised of both a pool stage and a knock-out stage.
The pool stage involves all 24 qualified teams, who are divided into 4 groups (pools) comprised of 6 teams each. All teams each play 4 matches during the pool stage – 2 at home and 2 away from home – with pool points awarded for match wins, draws, or bonus point scenarios. At the conclusion of all pool stage fixtures, the top-4 teams from each pool progress to the knock-out stage.
The knock-out stage is comprised of quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final; the team which emerges victorious from the final is crowned that season’s Champions Cup winner!
In the 2023/24 season, the Champions Cup pool stage will commence on 8 December 2023 and conclude on 21 January 2024. The quarterfinal and semifinal ties will be played in mid-April and early May respectively, and the grand final will take place on 25 May.
2023/24 Champions Cup Ticket Prices
The average Champions Cup ticket can typically cost the same as tickets for the most important matches in a domestic season – for example local derbies – and may in some cases cost more than tickets for domestic competitions. However, many of the most affordable adult tickets at Champions Cup fixtures this season are available for less than GBP £35. Most teams also offer discounted tickets for children and seniors. Hospitality packages and premium seats may cost closer to GBP £100. Factors such as the prestige of the venue at which the stadium is taking place may affect ticket prices, as well as the importance of the fixture; tickets for knock-out fixtures are likely to cost more than tickets for pool stage matches.
Koobit includes the price of Champions Cup tickets for different viewing areas alongside filters to help you find the perfect ticket for you at an affordable price.
FAQs
Who is Competing in the 2023/24 Champions Cup?
There will be 24 teams competing in the 2023/24 Champions Cup, with 6 nations represented. The 24 teams are divided into the following 4 pools:
- Pool 1 – Bristol Bears, Lyon OU, Saracens, Union Bordeaux Bègles, Vodacom Bulls
- Pool 2 – Bath Rugby, Cardiff Rugby, Harlequins, Racing 92, Stade Toulousain, Ulster Rugby
- Pool 3 – Bayonne, Exeter Chiefs, Glasgow Warriors, Munster Rugby, Northampton Saints, Toulon
- Pool 4 – DHL Stormers, La Rochelle (current holders), Leicester Tigers, Leinster Rugby, Sale Sharks, Stade Français
How do I Get Cheap Tickets?
Champions Cup tickets are generally very highly coveted, and as such ticket prices can be high, however at most rugby matches tickets for the seats or terraces located behind the posts are often more affordable than tickets for seats located along the sidelines, particularly those situated adjacent to the halfway line. Moreover, seats or terraces located directly next to the pitch or in the upper rows of the grandstands may command lower ticket prices.
Different ticketing suppliers may also offer different ticket prices; Koobit compares Champions Cup ticket prices from official suppliers and secondary resale markets so that you can find the right ticket for you at the most affordable price possible.
Where Should I Buy Tickets?
Whilst many teams do offer in-person ticket sales at stadium ticket offices, Champions Cup fixtures are very popular events, and as such tickets may sell quickly; opting to purchase tickets at the stadium may result in there being less options when it comes to choosing a seat or standing terrace – and tickets may even be entirely sold out. Buying tickets online allows fans to access ticket sales as soon as they open, and quickly and easily compare prices across the stadium and from different sellers. Tickets bought online can also be downloaded onto a smartphone and then presented digitally at the stadium. Koobit helps you to purchase Champions Cup tickets online.
How do I Get to a Game?
The vast majority of Champions Cup stadia are based in major towns and cities, providing ample parking either on-site or nearby, as well as a range of public transport connections on match days. Parking tips and other travel and public transport information can be found on Koobit by clicking on an event’s Travel & Parking tab.