How to Watch European Rugby Champions Cup in USA 2025/26 (Live Stream)
Watch European Rugby Champions Cup 2025/26 live streams for free on platforms like RTE Player, FloRugby, and France TV. Below you will find all the information you need on how to watch the Champions Cup Rugby in USA live, with details on the TV channels for live streaming, broadcasting, and start times.
This season, 24 elite rugby clubs battle it out for glory in Europe. Starting December 5, 2025, the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup will feature 24 top-tier rugby teams battling for the prestigious club rugby title.
Reigning champions Bordeaux Bègles are among the favorites, and with good reason—they claimed their 1st league title last season and are led by the world’s best player, Maxime Lucu.
However, Bordeaux Bègles will face tough competition from the likes of Toulouse, who are fresh off winning the EPCR Challenge Cup, and Leinster, a four-time winner.
With so many of the world’s best players in action and high-stakes matchups on the horizon, the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup promises to be an exciting and action-packed tournament.
Here’s how you can watch the Investec Champions Cup 2025/26 live streams online from anywhere, including FREE viewing options. Plus, don’t forget to check out the full fixture list at the bottom of the page.
Quick Guide: 5 Easy Steps to Watch European Rugby Champions Cup With a VPN in USA
- Download and install Surfshark on your device.
- Connect to the Irish VPN server. We recommend opting for a server in Dublin for optimal performance.
- Visit the RTE Player website.
- Log in to your RTE Player account or sign up if you’re a new user.
- Enjoy streaming the European Rugby Champions Cup online on RTE Player in USA for free.
Where Can I Watch the European Rugby Champions Cup Online?
You can watch the European Rugby Champions Cup for free on RTE Player in Ireland and on France TV in France. You can use a VPN to watch the European Rugby Champions Cup 2025/26 for free in USA.
Here is a comprehensive list of streaming services and channels where you can watch European Rugby Champions Cup live streams worldwide.
| Streaming Platform | Location |
|---|---|
| FloRugby (FloSports app) | US, Canada |
| TNT Sports (rebranded from BT Sport) | UK, Ireland |
| ESPN Play | Latin America |
| YouTube TV | US, Canada |
| EPCR TV | Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia & Herz., Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, Pacific Islands |
| More Than Sports | Austria, Germany, Switzerland |
| Viaplay | Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden |
| beIN Sports | Australia, France |
| France TV | France |
| GO | Malta |
| Polsat Box Go | Poland |
| RTE player | Ireland |
| ITVX | UK |
| S4C Clic | UK, Ireland |
| Amazon Prime Video | Many international locations, but only selected games are available (you can also get TNT Sports via Amazon Prime) |
| Sky Sport | New Zealand |
| DIGI | Romania |
| Sport TV | Portugal |
| Premier Sports Asia | Southeast Asia |
| Super Sport | Many African countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya |
Keep in mind that most platforms on this list are subject to geo blocks and are only available in certain countries. To watch them from the US, you will need to use a VPN.
Why Use a VPN to Watch European Rugby Champions Cup Free in USA?
To watch the European Rugby Champions Cup on RTE Player from USA, you’ll need to use a VPN due to regional restrictions. RTE Player is only available in Ireland, and access is blocked from other countries.
A VPN allows you to mask your IP address, making it appear as though you’re browsing from Ireland, thus granting you access to the streaming service.
This geo-restriction is in place because of content licensing agreements, which dictate where certain content can be legally distributed. To enforce this, RTE Player uses IP detection to identify your actual location, blocking access if it detects you’re outside of Ireland.
While this might seem inconvenient, it’s easily fixed. By using a VPN with Irish servers, you can change your virtual location and bypass the geo-blocks, allowing you to stream the European Rugby Champions Cup seamlessly for free.
Many VPN services claim to unblock RTE Player, but only a few are consistently reliable. One such VPN is Surfshark, which offers servers in Ireland, providing a fast and secure connection to access RTE Player in USA to watch the games for free.
Quick Overview of the Best VPNs for Streaming European Rugby Champions Cup in the USA
- 85+ Mbps /100 Mbps
- 3200 servers (100 countries)
- 5.0/5.0 stars
- Unlimited multi-logins
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- 75+ Mbps /100 Mbps
- 8,353 servers (127 countries)
- 4.8/5.0 stars
- 10 multi-logins
- 69% Discount
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- 80+ Mbps /100 Mbps
- 105 countries
- 4.5/5.0 stars
- 10 multi-logins
- 84% Discount
- 4 Months Free
Top 3 VPNs for Streaming European Rugby Champions Cup for Free in USA
1. Surfshark – Overall Best VPN for European Rugby Champions Cup Access in the USA
 |
| Servers — 3200 servers in 100 countries. |
| Unblocks — Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more. |
| Torrenting — Offers P2P optimized servers for Torrenting. |
| Simultaneous connections — Offers unlimited simultaneous connections. |
| Logs — Strict no-log policy |
| Money-back guarantee — 30-day refund policy. |
| Visit Surfshark |
Surfshark stands out as the most affordable VPN for streaming the Rugby Champions Cup for free in the USA. In addition to its budget-friendly pricing, Surfshark is highly effective at bypassing geo-restrictions imposed by major streaming platforms.
With a robust network of over 3,200 servers across 100 countries, including multiple servers in France and Ireland, Surfshark provides access to a genuine Irish IP address, ensuring smooth streaming of the Champions Cup on RTE Player.
In our tests, Surfshark performed excellently with RTE Player. Starting with a base connection speed of 30 Mbps, we achieved an impressive download speed of 25.81 Mbps after connecting to an Ireland server. This allowed us to enjoy live matches in HD quality without interruptions.
Beyond the RTE Player, Surfshark is also a great option for streaming services such as Disney Plus, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and more. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to access geo-blocked content from virtually anywhere.
Surfshark is compatible with a wide range of devices, allowing you to stream the Rugby Champions Cup on iOS, Windows, Android, and Mac platforms.
One of Surfshark’s standout features is its support for unlimited simultaneous connections on a single account, making it a perfect choice for households with multiple devices.
Available for just $2.49/mo (Save 85% and get 3 extra months FREE with 24-month plan), Surfshark offers excellent value for accessing RTE Player in the USA. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for added peace of mind.
For a detailed look at Surfshark’s features, check out our full Surfshark review.
2. ExpressVPN – Fastest VPN for Unblocking European Rugby Champions Cup in the USA
 |
| Servers — VPN Servers in 105 Countries. |
| Unblocks — Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more. |
| Torrenting — Offers Network Lock for secure Torrenting. |
| Simultaneous connections — Offers 12 simultaneous connections. |
| Logs — Strict no-log policy |
| Money-back guarantee — 30-day refund policy. |
| Visit ExpressVPN |
ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN for streaming the European Rugby Champions Cup in the USA, providing an excellent and uninterrupted viewing experience. Known for its exceptional speed and reliability, ExpressVPN is a top choice for bypassing geo-restrictions on various streaming platforms.
With a vast network of over 3,000+ servers across 105 countries, ExpressVPN offers a strong presence in Ireland and France, making it perfect for streaming the Rugby Championship.
In our tests, ExpressVPN delivered impressive results. Starting with a base connection speed of 30 Mbps, we achieved an outstanding download speed of 28.71 Mbps when connected to the Irish server. This enabled us to stream live matches with no buffering or lag.
ExpressVPN offers broad device compatibility, allowing you to stream Rugby Cup on platforms such as Amazon Firestick, Nvidia Shield, Smart TVs, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and more.
Additionally, ExpressVPN provides a free MediaStreamer Smart DNS service, which allows you to use the VPN on devices that don’t natively support VPN apps.
Priced at $2.49/mo, ExpressVPN offers great value for its robust features. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for peace of mind.
To get a detailed look at its performance, features, and pricing, check out our full ExpressVPN review.
3. NordVPN – Premium Security for Accessing European Rugby Champions Cup in the USA
 |
| Servers — 8,353 servers in 127 countries. |
| Unblocks — Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more. |
| Torrenting — Offer obfuscated and P2P optimized servers. |
| Simultaneous connections — Offers 10 simultaneous connections. |
| Logs — Strict no-log policy |
| Money-back guarantee — 30-day refund policy. |
| Visit NordVPN |
NordVPN is another popular option for streaming the European Rugby Champions Cup in USA, offering one of the largest server networks in the VPN industry. With over 6,343 servers across 111 countries, NordVPN provides extensive coverage, particularly in Ireland and France, making it an excellent choice for accessing live streaming of matches.
During our testing, NordVPN performed excellently. Connecting to an Irish server allowed us seamless access to RTE Player, delivering a smooth streaming experience of matches without buffering issues.
While NordVPN may not match the lightning-fast speeds of ExpressVPN, it still performs impressively, especially for 4K streaming. We recorded a solid download speed of 24.35 Mbps from a base connection of 30 Mbps, ensuring a buffer-free viewing experience.
NordVPN’s SmartPlay technology further enhances its ability to bypass geo-restrictions, allowing users to access not only RTE Player but also other popular services like Hulu, Peacock TV, and Disney+ with ease.
The VPN offers intuitive apps for a variety of devices, and with a single account, you can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, making it an ideal choice for multi-device households.
In terms of pricing, NordVPN provides excellent value at just $3.49/mo (Save 69% with 24-month plan and get 3 extra months). Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for added security.
For a more in-depth analysis of its features and performance, be sure to check out our full NordVPN review.
When is the European Rugby Champions Cup?
The 2025–26 European Rugby Champions Cup is the eleventh season of the European Rugby Champions Cup, starting from 5th December to 23rd May 2026.
The 2025-26 Investec Champions Cup will consist of four pools, each featuring six to eight teams from the Premiership, URC, and Top 14. In the pool stage, each team will compete against four different opponents.
The top four teams from each pool will advance to the knockout stage, while the four fifth-ranked teams will drop down to the EPCR Challenge Cup. The 2026 European finals will be held at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain.
What is the European Rugby Champions Cup 2025/26 Schedule?
Here are the full European Rugby Champions Cup fixtures for 2025/2026:
Round 1
- Fri 5 Dec Sale Sharks v Glasgow Warriors
- Fri 5 Dec Bayonne v Stormers
- Sat 6 Dec Saracens v Clermont Auvergne
- Sat 6 Dec Bulls v Bordeaux-Bègles
- Sat 6 Dec La Rochelle v Leicester Tigers
- Sat 6 Dec Leinster v Harlequins
- Sat 6 Dec Scarlets v Bristol Bears
- Sat 6 Dec Bath v Munster
- Sun 7 Dec Pau v Northampton Saints
- Sun 7 Dec Toulouse v Sharks
- Sun 7 Dec Gloucester v Castres
- Sun 7 Dec Edinburgh v Toulon
Round 2
- Fri 12 Dec Leicester Tigers v Leinster
- Sat 13 Dec Stormers v La Rochelle
- Sat 13 Dec Sharks v Saracens
- Sat 13 Dec Clermont Auvergne v Sale Sharks
- Sat 13 Dec Bordeaux-Bègles v Scarlets
- Sat 13 Dec Munster v Gloucester
- Sat 13 Dec Glasgow Warriors v Toulouse
- Sun 14 Dec Harlequins v Bayonne
- Sun 14 Dec Castres v Edinburgh
- Sun 14 Dec Toulon v Bath
- Sun 14 Dec Northampton Saints v Bulls
- Sun 14 Dec Bristol Bears v Pau
Round 3
- Fri 9 Jan Castres v Bath
- Fri 9 Jan Edinburgh v Gloucester
- Sat 10 Jan Bulls v Bristol Bears
- Sat 10 Jan Clermont Auvergne v Glasgow
- Sat 10 Jan Leinster v La Rochelle
- Sat 10 Jan Sale Sharks v Sharks
- Sat 10 Jan Scarlets v Pau
- Sat 10 Jan Leicester Tigers v Bayonne
- Sun 11 Jan Harlequins v Stormers
- Sun 11 Jan Toulon v Munster
- Sun 11 Jan Bordeaux-Bègles v Northampton
- Sun 11 Jan Saracens v Toulouse
Round 4
- Fri 16 Jan Pau v Bulls
- Fri 16 Jan Bath v Edinburgh
- Sat 17 Jan Sharks v Clermont Auvergne
- Sat 17 Jan Bayonne v Leinster
- Sat 17 Jan Stormers v Leicester Tigers
- Sat 17 Jan Toulouse v Sale Sharks
- Sat 17 Jan Munster v Castres
- Sat 17 Jan Gloucester v Toulon
- Sun 18 Jan Bristol Bears v Bordeaux-Bègles
- Sun 18 Jan Northampton Saints v Scarlets
- Sun 18 Jan La Rochelle v Harlequins
- Sun 18 Jan Glasgow Warriors v Saracens
Round of 16
Fri 3-Sun 5 April
Quarter-finals
Fri 10-Sun 12 April
SEMI-FINALS
Fri 1-Sun 3 May
GRAND FINAL
Sat 23 May (San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao)
Where Can I Watch the European Rugby Final?
All games of this year’s European Rugby Champions Cup, including the final, are available to stream for free on RTE Player and France TV. Both these channels are geo-restricted and are only available to stream in Ireland and France. To watch the final in the US on these channels, you need to use a VPN.
Where is the European Rugby Champions Cup Final?
The European Rugby Champions Cup final will be played at San Mamés Stadium on Saturday, 23 May 2025. You can livestream it for free on RTE Player and France TV.
Top Channels to Watch in the USA
With a VPN, you can stream all the channels you want in the US. Here are some examples:
- Watch Curzon Home Cinema in USA
- Watch U TV in USA
- Watch Rakuten TV in USA
- Watch Cineworld in USA
- Watch Chili TV in USA
- Watch Tiny Pop in USA
- Watch HGTV in USA
Watch European Rugby Champions Cup in USA
What's the difference between challenge cup and champions cup?
The EPCR Challenge Cup is a yearly rugby union tournament organized by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR). It serves as the second-tier competition for clubs from European leagues, ranked below the prestigious European Rugby Champions Cup.
Which country holds the Rugby World Cup?
South Africa is the current champion of the Rugby World Cup, having defeated New Zealand in the final of the 2023 tournament.
Who won Investec Champions Cup 2025?
Bordeaux Bègles won the Investec Champions Cup 2025, beating Northampton Saints.
Who has the best World Cup rugby teams?
The best World Cup Rugby teams are South Africa, Ireland, and New Zealand.
Conclusion
In conclusion, watching the European Rugby Champions Cup online for free in USA is entirely possible with the help of a reliable VPN. By using a VPN, you can bypass geo-restrictions and access streaming services like RTE Player, which offers free coverage of the tournament.
Whether you’re cheering for your favorite team or simply enjoying the thrilling matches, a VPN ensures you can stream every moment securely and without interruptions.
