- EPCR kick off historic 30th season with 24 Investec Champions Cup clubs at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium
- EPCR Chairman Dominic McKay: “This forthcoming 30th season is highly anticipated and we are very much looking forward to seeing the sporting stories unfold.”
- Blair Kinghorn, of reigning Investec Champions Cup title-holders Toulouse: “The goal is to be here to defend our title this season.”
- Hollywoodbets Sharks’ François Ventner: “Being in Cardiff today is a great reminder of how much is a stake and what we’re all competing for.”
As anticipation builds for the start of the 30th season of the 2024/25 Investec Champions Cup, 24 leading players representing the competition’s elite international clubs came together at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff to kick off preparations for the prestigious tournament, which will begin in less than eight weeks.
A fitting venue for EPCR to bring the players, referees, partners, and broadcasters together for a pre-season content day, Cardiff and the Principality Stadium will play host to the 2025 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Finals for the first time in 11 years, on the 23 and 24 May 2025.
This coming season marks the 30th staging of the annual tournament and will be a full-circle moment for the city that hosted the inaugural final in 1996 in the former National Stadium.
Dominic McKay, EPCR Chairman, said: “We are delighted to bring together players from the very best clubs in Europe and South Africa ahead of this momentous 2024/25 season. It is an exciting moment for EPCR as preparations intensify and the build-up to the 2024/25 season gathers pace. We are thrilled to be returning to Cardiff to celebrate our 30th Final in what is going to be a historic weekend of international rugby at the conclusion of another no doubt closely-contested season.
“After a record-breaking 2023/24 season, where we welcomed more fans than ever to stadia and brought our competitions to bigger audiences via broadcast partners and our digital platforms, this forthcoming 30th season is highly anticipated and we are very much looking forward to seeing the sporting stories unfold.
“We would also like to extend our deepest thanks to the WRU and Cardiff, not only for hosting us today but for our 2024/25 Finals Weekend. It is wonderful to be returning to this rugby heartland for our thirtieth Final and we look forward to seeing a packed crowd here at the Principality next May.”
Representing reigning Investec Champions Cup title-holders and record winners off a sixth star Stade Toulousain was Blair Kinghorn, who put 12 points on the board to help edge out Leinster Rugby in last season’s Final. Speaking about what it would mean for him and his club – which holds the most Champions Cup titles – to defend their title in Cardiff next year, he said “Cardiff is a great place to come and play rugby. I played several times with Scotland and unfortunately always lost but it is one of the best atmospheres in the world.
“Last year, I had a dream when I won my first title in the Investec Champions Cup with this beautiful club called Stade Toulousain. The goal is to be here to defend our title this season with Toulouse, it will be hard but we will give our best!”
Leinster currently sit top of the URC table, and Irish international Caelan Doris – who was announced as the team’s captain for the season just last month – is hoping they can go one better this year as they chase their elusive fifth star: “I have some good memories of playing here with Ireland in Cardiff. It’s a unique atmosphere and the support and noise in the stadium is always brilliant.
“The chance to lead Leinster into the Investec Champions Cup as captain for the first time is a privilege and the thought of maybe running out here in May is one that drives all the players here today.
“There’s a lot of rugby to be played before then but the excitement definitely starts to build from today and our first game away to Bristol.”
Top Welsh talent was also in attendance, as representatives from EPCR Challenge Cup contenders Cardiff Rugby, Ospreys, Dragons RFC, and Scarlets took part in the SCALE CLIMB to the roof of the Principality Stadium. Callum Sheedy returned to his hometown club of Cardiff this summer after more than 170 games for Bristol Bears, and was part of the 2021 Six Nations winning squad. Having previously experienced the electric atmosphere under the roof of the Principality Stadium, he’s extra motivated to make the Challenge Cup final on home soil. “I’m loving being back playing for Cardiff, my home city. It is a fantastic city to play or watch rugby and has such a rich history in hosting major events.
“To have the EPCR finals here at the Principality Stadium is a massive motivating factor for all Welsh teams, and particularly Cardiff, who obviously played in the first ever European final here and have twice won the Challenge Cup.”
Also present at the Principality Stadium were the Hollywoodbets Sharks. Last year, this impressive team wrote their names into the history books when they became the first South African club to win an EPCR title. In doing so, the team from Durban also booked their return to the Investec Champions Cup this coming season. François Venter described what it means to him. “After last season’s Challenge Cup win, we’re excited to be back in the Investec Champions Cup. There’s no question this is the competition we want to be in and it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to compete against the best clubs in the world. Being in Cardiff today is a great reminder of how much is a stake and what we’re all competing for.”
EPCR’s new official technical apparel partner Macron also joined the day in anticipation of the release of the new EPCR Match Official kit, which was modelled by EPCR match officials Sara Cox (Premiership Rugby), Craig Evans (URC) and Pierre Brousset (TOP14). Of seeing his home stadium lit up in Investec Champions Cup colours, Welsh referee Craig Evans said: “After 11 years, the European finals are back in Cardiff, and the city will truly come alive for it. The stadium has been buzzing with excitement today as all the teams gather to kick off the new season. It’s a celebration of unity, passion, and the love of the game!”
Jacques Raynaud, CEO of ECPR said: “This is essentially the kick-off of a very special 30th season, and we are so pleased to come back to where it all started – here in Cardiff.
“We are thrilled to welcome our Investec Champions Cup clubs and referees, as well as our partners, to the iconic Principality Stadium today. It is not only an opportunity for our partners and broadcasters to work with the players and bring fans closer to the 2024/25 Investec Champions Cup season, but also a rare moment for players from different leagues to connect, enjoy shared experiences and foster friendships off the pitch – before reigniting rivalries at the start of the Investec Champions Cup season.”
Both the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup will feature the very best of international clubs and world-class talent, guaranteeing unmissable rugby action. The 2024/25 season will get underway on the weekend of 6/7/8 December and promises to be an unforgettable one for rugby fans.
The EPCR Challenge Cup Final will be played at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday 23 May 2025 with the showpiece Investec Champions Cup Final is set for the following day, Saturday 24 May 2025, at the same iconic venue. Tickets are available to purchase, with more information available HERE.
>>>Story courtesy of https://www.epcrugby.com/champions-cup/news<<<
