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CARDIFF IS PROUD TO BE HOSTING EPCR 2025
The capital of Wales has worked hard to build a reputation as one of the best cities in the world to experience rugby, with the iconic Principality Stadium, home of the Welsh Rugby Union, part of the beating heart of our cosy and atmospheric city centre. Voted European Capital of Sport in 2014, Cardiff is known as a place where all types of sports fan come together for world class action, with the 2015 Rugby World Cup, 2017 UEFA Champions League Final, the 2018 Volvo Ocean Race, the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2022 WWE Clash at the Castle, just a handful of the events we’ve welcomed in the last ten years.
FIXTURES
THE EPCR CHALLENGE CUP FINAL
The 30th final of EPCR’s elite tournament will be returning to the Welsh capital for the eighth time since the inaugural 1995/96 season when Stade Toulousain lifted the trophy. The second-tier competition is made up of 16 teams from England’s Premiership Rugby, France’s Top 14 and the United Rugby Championship that don’t qualify for the Investec, plus the South Africa Cheetahs and Georgia’s Black Lion.
THE INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL
The final of the premier European rugby union championship, this tournament is known for its high-intensity matches and features some of the biggest names in world rugby. The 24 teams that make it into the top-tier competition is typically made of up of the top 8 teams of the England’s Premiership, France’s Top 14 and the United Rugby Championship that Wales, South Africa, Ireland, Italy and Scotland compete in. This competition which started in 1995 as the Heineken Cup, partnered with Investec for sponsorship reasons in 2024.
THE VENUE & OUR CITY
PRINCIPALITY STADIUM
Cardiff’s state-of-the-art Principality Stadium and featuring a fully retractable roof, making it one of the largest indoor arenas in the world, is the home of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) who describe the iconic stadium as “the best rugby venue in the world”.
OUR EPCR ITINERARY
While we appreciate it may the big sport action attracting you to our city, the Welsh capital will certainly try and usually succeeds in converting visitors to become fans of Cardiff, but if you're stuck as to do what to do, we've tackled that issue with our EPCR-specific visitor itinerary.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
This May the 30th final of EPCR’s elite rugby union tournament will be returning to the Welsh capital for the eighth time since the inaugural 1995/96 season when Stade Toulousain lifted the trophy.
Cardiff will play host to two matches at the famous Principality Stadium – the EPCR Challenge Cup final on Friday 23 May at 20:00 BST, with the showpiece Investec Champions Cup final the following day, Saturday 24 May 2025 at 14:45 BST.
The rugby clubs taking part qualify on merit for both tournaments based on performances in their respective domestic leagues – Gallagher Premiership Rugby, the TOP 14 and the United Rugby Championship (URC).
We won’t know who is in the finals until a few weeks before.
Cardiff has proven time and time again that it’s the perfect host for a major event and, with the Stadium often voted as one of the top rugby stadiums in Europe, the city is a must-visit destination for any sports fan.
Uniquely positioned in the bustling city centre (and even across the road from a 2000-year-old Castle) the location is unrivalled – and with its retractable roof it can handle whatever the Welsh weather throws at it! So, whether you are a hardcore rugby fan, or just someone who enjoys soaking up the atmosphere at an event, then this could be the perfect reason for you to visit Cardiff!
Across the two days, the city centre streets around the stadium will be transformed into a sea of colours for the opposing teams, while the vibrant pubs, bars and restaurants will be flooded with passionate fans, creating a buzz for the day ahead. It will be an unforgettable slice of Welsh culture for visitors exploring the city.
And the party doesn’t end when the whistle blows! While the transport network kicks into action with train station queuing systems, taxi ranks, and park and ride buses for those that need to get home, there are still plenty of people taking advantage of the exciting nightlife – and the famous Chippy Lane will be serving curry and chips until the early hours.
EPCR CONTENT
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