Plan to take Champions Cup final to US, Asia in 2030s

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 1, 2026

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) is exploring the possibility of hosting future Champions Cup finals outside Europe, with the United States, Singapore, and Hong Kong among the potential venues, aligning with efforts to grow rugby’s global reach ahead of upcoming World Cups in the U.S. While the U.S. is a favored option, concerns over increased travel costs and ticket prices could hinder relocation, and EPCR continues to consider European cities to maintain accessibility for its primary fan base.

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) is considering relocating the Champions Cup final to venues outside Europe during the 2030s, with potential host cities including the United States, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Sources indicate that while EPCR executives are particularly interested in staging the final in the U.S., they acknowledge that such a move could face opposition due to increased travel costs and ticket prices for teams and supporters.

The prospect aligns with World Rugby's strategic initiatives to expand the sport's footprint in North America ahead of the 2031 men’s and 2033 women’s Rugby World Cups planned in the United States. In addition to the U.S., EPCR has received expressions of interest from the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong and the National Stadium in Singapore as potential venues for future European finals.

Despite these international overtures, EPCR is currently focused on hosting Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals within European cities, particularly targeting locations in emerging rugby markets. This follows the successful hosting of the finals in Bilbao, Spain, earlier this year, where Bordeaux Bègles secured the Champions Cup and Montpellier claimed the Challenge Cup. The Basque city, which previously hosted the event in 2018, has expressed a desire to stage the finals for a third time.

Additional European cities under consideration include Amsterdam, Lisbon, and several locations in Germany, alongside established venues such as Dublin’s Croke Park and Aviva Stadium. These potential hosts reflect EPCR’s intent to grow the tournament’s profile while maintaining accessibility for its core fan base.

Separately, EPCR is expected to enforce media obligations on Saracens head coach Brendan Venter during the Champions Cup, in line with the Gallagher Premiership's stance. Venter recently altered his official job title at Saracens to “head of rugby culture and wine consultant,” a move perceived as an attempt to avoid mandatory media appearances. Should he fail to comply with the requirements, Saracens may face substantial fines.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.