How do URC places lead to the Champions Cup?
Rule- South Africa
- United Rugby Championship
- URC
- Bulls, Lions, Sharks, Stormers
- World Rugby laws
- All ages
- 2026/27
- Fans
The eight highest-ranked URC clubs on the final league log qualify for the next season's Investec Champions Cup. If the reigning Champions Cup winner hasn't already qualified through its league position, it takes the place of the eighth-ranked club in its league.
2026/27 Champions Cup (qualified from the 2025/26 URC log)
- URC qualifiers: Leinster, Vodacom Bulls, Glasgow Warriors, DHL Stormers, Munster, Cardiff, Lions and Connacht. Three South African clubs (Bulls, Stormers and Lions) are in the competition.
- 24 clubs in total: eight each from the URC, the French TOP 14 and the English Gallagher PREM, split into four pools of six.
- Each club plays four pool matches against different opponents.
- The top three in each pool go through to the Round of 16, plus the four other clubs with the most match points across all pools.
Updated 21 Oct 2026