A difficult to read formula with too many one-sided matches. The observation is clear: despite the constant modifications to its format, the Champions Cup struggles to attract attention and fulfill its role as a bridge between the national championships and international Rugby during its qualifying phase.
These obvious defects led the representatives of French clubs within the EPCR, the organization which manages the competition, to campaign for the adoption of a new formula, more elitist, denser, with a reduction in the number of participants. from 24 to 18 clubs.
What does she look like? During its qualifying phase, it is inspired by the Football Champions League with only one group. As currently, the 18 clubs play four matches, two at home, two away in December and January. The first four in the ranking are directly qualified for the quarter-finals in the spring and can organize this meeting with two months' notice, possibly relocating to larger stadiums. The clubs ranked 5 to 12 play a play-off to advance to the quarters, with home advantage for the teams 5 to 8.
In the current format, the three championships – Top 14, Premiership and United Rugby Championship – each provide eight participants. In the new project, the distribution would be modified. The English, who only have ten clubs left in the Premiership, would only have five entry tickets to the Champions Cup. The Top 14 would have six and the URC, seven.
-Sticking points
Alongside this umpteenth facelift of the Champions Cup, the French are proposing a more radical change to the Challenge Cup, with direct elimination matches. “The partners we surveyed are in favor of these proposals,” assures an EPCR administrator. “More flavor brings more value. »
But it remains to convince the Celts and the English of the merits of this project. The current negotiations are not simple. One of the sticking points is obviously the reduction in the number of their representatives. “The English still have a way to go,” we admit at the EPCR. We are not overflowing with enthusiasm at the URC either.
If this new formula were to be adopted during the general assembly which will be held next May in Cardiff, the day before the final, it would be put in place for the 2026-2027 season. Until then, it will be presented to potential broadcasters. The cycle of current contracts with television stations ends in spring 2026. Their opinion will weigh heavily in the validation or rejection of the French plan.
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