The 2024/25 European Rugby Champions Cup is one of the most exciting events on the rugby calendar, showcasing top-tier rugby talent from across Europe and beyond. With the competition now underway, fans worldwide are eager to know where and how they can watch the tournament, including details about free streaming options. This guide will provide all the information you need to watch the European Rugby Champions Cup live, along with fixtures, channels, and options for streaming from anywhere in the world.
What is the European Rugby Champions Cup?
The European Rugby Champions Cup (ERCC) is an elite rugby competition that pits the best teams from Europe’s top rugby leagues—the United Rugby Championship (URC), the English Premiership, and the French Top 14—against one another. It’s often compared to the UEFA Champions League in football, as it brings together the best players and teams from across the continent to battle it out for the prestigious title.
For the 2024/25 season, the competition features a mix of European powerhouses like Toulouse, Leinster, Munster, and Racing 92, as well as South Africa’s leading sides such as the Sharks, Bulls, and Stormers. With star players like Antoine Dupont, Caelan Doris, and Eben Etzebeth taking center stage, the action is set to be intense.
Key Teams to Watch in the 2024/25 Season
- Toulouse: The reigning champions are always a favorite, with world-class players like Antoine Dupont leading the charge.
- Leinster: With a rich history and some of the best talent in Europe, Leinster will be looking to dethrone Toulouse.
- Sharks: South Africa’s top teams, like the Sharks, are determined to prove their worth in Europe.
- Munster: Always competitive, Munster enters as one of the favorites this season.
When Does the European Rugby Champions Cup 2024/25 Take Place?
The European Rugby Champions Cup 2024/25 started on December 6, 2024, and will run through to the final on May 24, 2025. The tournament is split into several rounds, including the group stage, knockout rounds, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the highly anticipated final. The third round of the group stage begins in January 2025, with some thrilling matchups on the cards.
Where to Watch European Rugby Champions Cup 2024/25 Live
Watching the European Rugby Champions Cup live can be a bit tricky depending on your location. Fortunately, there are several broadcasters and streaming platforms offering live coverage of the competition, including free options for fans in certain countries. Here’s a breakdown of how to watch:
1. Watch European Rugby Champions Cup for Free
RTÉ Player (Ireland)
For rugby fans in Ireland, the RTÉ Player is a great option for free live streaming. RTÉ offers coverage of one game per round of the competition. For example, this January, RTÉ Player will stream the exciting Munster vs Saracens clash on January 11. All you need is an Irish IP address or a valid TV license to access the service.
France TV (France)
Fans in France can watch the European Rugby Champions Cup for free on France TV. This platform streams two matches per round, including some of the biggest fixtures. France TV will be showing Sharks vs Toulouse on January 11 and La Rochelle vs Leinster on January 12 for free. Again, a French IP address or a local TV license is required to access the live stream.
Use a VPN to Watch for Free from Anywhere
If you’re traveling abroad and want to access free streams from RTÉ Player or France TV, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is your solution. A VPN allows you to change your IP address, making it appear as if you’re in the country of the broadcaster, giving you access to free streams.
We recommend NordVPN for its excellent speed, security, and reliability in unblocking geo-restricted content. You can use it to stream the European Rugby Champions Cup from Ireland or France, no matter where you are in the world.
2. Paid Streaming Services for International Viewers
If you’re outside Ireland and France and can’t access the free streams, there are still plenty of paid options to enjoy the European Rugby Champions Cup live.
United States: FloRugby
For fans in the United States, FloRugby has the broadcasting rights to the European Rugby Champions Cup. You can subscribe to FloRugby to watch all the games live. The subscription starts at $29.99 per month, or you can get an annual subscription for $150. FloRugby provides comprehensive coverage of the tournament, including group stage matches and knockout rounds.
United Kingdom: Premier Sports
In the UK, the Premier Sports network has exclusive rights to the 2024/25 European Rugby Champions Cup. A subscription costs £15.99 per month or £131.88 annually (which works out at £10.99 per month). Premier Sports also covers a variety of other sports, including the Challenge Cup and La Liga.
Australia: EPCR TV
In Australia, rugby fans can access all European Rugby Champions Cup matches through EPCR TV. A season pass costs €49.99, which gives you access to every game live. This is a great option for those in Australia who want to follow the action.
New Zealand: Sky Sport
In New Zealand, Sky Sport holds the broadcasting rights. You can access Sky Sport through satellite TV or via the Sky Sport Now service, which costs $29.99 per week. Sky Sport covers all the action, from the group stages to the final.
Canada: FloRugby
Like in the United States, FloRugby has the broadcasting rights to the European Rugby Champions Cup in Canada. Subscriptions are available starting at $29.99 per month.
South Africa: SuperSport
For South African fans, SuperSport has secured the rights to broadcast the European Rugby Champions Cup. SuperSport is available through various cable packages, including DStv.
Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and More: Viaplay
Fans in Scandinavia and several other European countries can watch the Champions Cup on Viaplay. This platform covers Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, and the Netherlands.
Rest of the World: EPCR TV
If you’re in a country that doesn’t have a local broadcaster, EPCR TV is the best option for watching the European Rugby Champions Cup. This streaming service is available globally, allowing you to access live streams of every match.
European Rugby Champions Cup 2024/25 Fixture Schedule
The European Rugby Champions Cup 2024/25 features some exciting matchups, especially during the group stages. Here’s a look at the schedule for Round 3 and Round 4 of the competition, which takes place in January 2025.
Round 3 (Group Stage)
Friday, January 10, 2025
- 3:00 PM ET – Glasgow vs Racing 92
Saturday, January 11, 2025
- 8:00 AM ET – Stormers vs Sale
- 10:15 AM ET – Exeter Chiefs vs Bordeaux
- 10:15 AM ET – Sharks vs Toulouse (Free on France TV)
- 12:30 PM ET – Munster vs Saracens (Free on RTÉ Player)
- 12:30 PM ET – Stade Francais vs Northampton
- 3:00 PM ET – Leicester vs Ulster
- 3:00 PM ET – Castres vs Bulls
Sunday, January 12, 2025
- 8:00 AM ET – Toulon vs Harlequins
- 10:15 AM ET – La Rochelle vs Leinster (Free on France TV)
- 10:15 AM ET – Bristol vs Benetton
- 12:30 PM ET – Bath vs Clermont
Round 4 (Group Stage)
Friday, January 17, 2025
- 3:00 PM ET – Ulster vs Exeter Chiefs
Saturday, January 18, 2025
- 8:00 AM ET – Bulls vs Stade Francais
- 10:15 AM ET – Northampton vs Munster
- 10:15 AM ET – Clermont vs Bristol (Free on France TV)
- 12:30 PM ET – Benetton vs La Rochelle
- 12:30 PM ET – Leinster vs Bath (Free on RTÉ Player)
- 3:00 PM ET – Harlequins vs Glasgow
- 3:00 PM ET – Racing 92 vs Stormers
Sunday, January 19, 2025
- 8:00 AM ET – Bordeaux vs Sharks
- 10:15 AM ET – Saracens vs Castres
- 10:15 AM ET – Toulouse vs Leicester (Free on France TV)
- 12:30 PM ET – Sale vs Toulon
Knockout Stages
- Round of 16: April 4-6, 2025
- Quarter-Finals: April 11-13, 2025
- Semi-Finals: May 2-4, 2025
- Final: May 24, 2025
Can I Watch the European Rugby Champions Cup on My Mobile?
Yes, you can watch the European Rugby Champions Cup on your mobile device. Most broadcasters offer mobile apps, including RTÉ Player, FloRugby, and EPCR TV. You can download these apps on your smartphone and stream the matches live wherever you are.
In addition to mobile streaming, you can stay updated on all the action via the official European Rugby Champions Cup social media channels on YouTube and Instagram.
Conclusion
The European Rugby Champions Cup 2024/25 promises to deliver high-octane rugby, with exciting matchups featuring the best teams from Europe and South Africa. Whether you’re in Ireland, France, the United States, or anywhere else, there are multiple options to watch the tournament, including free streaming services and paid subscriptions. Use a VPN to access free streams when traveling abroad, and enjoy the best rugby Europe has to offer. Stay tuned for more updates and match schedules as the tournament progresses!