Champions Rugby Village comes to Cardiff Arms Park for EPCR Finals Weekend

Tue, 21 May 2025

Cardiff Arms Park, the historic home of Cardiff Rugby at the heart of the Welsh capital, will transform into the Champions Rugby Village on May 23–24, offering fans an electrifying festival atmosphere as part of the 30th EPCR Finals Weekend celebrations.

Situated just steps from the Principality Stadium, the fan zone will be the heartbeat of the weekend, featuring live music, entertainment, food and drink stalls, family-friendly experiences, community outreach initiatives, as well as special appearances from rugby legends. Whether you’re heading to the games or simply soaking up the buzz, the free to enter Champions Rugby Village promises a lively build-up to the most anticipated weekend in international club rugby.

Two Unmissable Finals at Principality Stadium

• Friday, 23 May at 8:00pm kick-off – EPCR Challenge Cup Final:
  Bath Rugby returns to a European final for the first time in over a decade, eyeing a historic treble, as they face Lyon Olympique Universitaire, who are chasing a second EPCR Challenge Cup title after their 2022 triumph.
• Saturday, 24 May at 2:45pm kick off – Investec Champions Cup Final:
  Northampton Saints aim to recapture European glory 25 years after their first title, while Union Bordeaux-Bègles are set to make their first-ever final appearance in the top-tier competition.

Champions Rugby Village Highlights

One of the standout attractions will be the JAECOO 7 Kicking Challenge, where fans can put their skills to the test for a chance to win a brand-new JAECOO 7 SUV.

A variety of community outreach initiatives will be launched as part of the event. In collaboration with Sport Wales and the Welsh Refugee Council, the WRU will host 100 children under the age of 13 from some of the city’s most resourced areas, offering them a day of fun coaching games and festival-style rugby activities. For those aged 13 and over, an exciting E-Sports rugby challenge will be available, featuring competitions against popular gaming influencers in partnership with E-Sports Wales. All participants and their families will also receive tickets to Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup Final.

What to Expect:

• Heineken bars
• Food and drink stalls
• EPCR Finals merchandise store
• JAECOO 7 Kicking Challenge
• Live DJ sets
• Special appearances from rugby legends
• A chance to take your photo with the competition trophies
• A taste of Wales with complimentary freshly baked Welsh cakes

Opening Hours:

• Friday, 23 May: 15:00 – 20:00
• Saturday, 24 May: 10:00 – 14:45 & 17:00 – 19:00

For fans travelling from Bath for Friday night’s EPCR Challenge Cup match, additional trains will run between Cardiff Central and Bath Spa after the game. Likewise, for those heading to Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup Final from London, extra trains have been scheduled both before and after the match.

More Champions Rugby Village activities will be announced soon—stay tuned for updates as Cardiff gets ready to welcome fans from across Europe for an unforgettable weekend of rugby.