Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Finals: Everything you need to know including how to watch, referees and Champions Rugby Village details
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The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Finals take place this weekend and here’s the information you will need ahead of the blockbuster matches.
Bilbao will host the finals weekend and there promises to be an electric festival atmosphere in the Champions Rugby Village, which has been set up for the supporters.
EPCR revealed last week that it is located just steps from San Mamés Stadium in Doña Casilda Park, with the free-to-enter fan village serving as the heartbeat of the weekend. It will feature live music, entertainment, food and drink stalls, family-friendly activities, cultural activations and special appearances from rugby greats.
The village is open before and after both Finals and fans can test their skills with a range of rugby-inspired challenges, such as tag rugby and passing accuracy tests.
Entertainment runs throughout the day, featuring traditional Basque txaranga street bands, live concerts and DJs while fans can take their pictures with the trophies.
Village open from 11:00 am – 01:00 am
The weekend’s rugby action kicks off with Montpellier taking on Ulster in the Challenge Cup Final after the duo beat the Dragons and Exeter in their respective semis.
England’s Matthew Carley will referee Friday’s match while Andrea Piardi (Italy) and Craig Evans (Wales) are his assistants. Scotland’s Mike Adamson is the TMO.
This fixture will be broadcast live and free-to-air exclusively on ITV, with Premier Sports, France TV, beIN SPORTS, epcrugby.tv, FloRugby and Movistar + also listed.
On Saturday, the focus shifts to a mouth-watering Champions Cup Final between Bordeaux-Begles and Leinster that, of course, is also hosted at the San Mamés Stadium.
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Karl Dickson (England) will referee that fixture with Christophe Ridley (England) and Hollie Davidson (Scotland) his assistants and Marius van der Westhuizen TMO.
The game will be broadcast live and free-to-air exclusively on ITV with Premier Sports, France TV, beIN SPORTS, epcrugby.tv, FloRugby and Movistar + again named.
Bringing the European finals to more supporters this weekend via free-to-air TV is a prospect that John Barton, Chief Commercial Officer at EPCR, is delighted about.
“We are delighted to bring the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Finals to even more fans on ITV and ITVX. More people than ever will now be able to watch this showpiece weekend on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 May, live from Bilbao’s San Mamés Stadium,” he said following the announcement of the broadcast details.
Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, was equally thrilled, adding: “It’s great to be able to broadcast the finest European rugby talent across the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Finals, bringing the sport to a free-to-air audience on ITV and ITVX. The weekend will be action packed and one rugby fans will not want to miss.”
EPCR Challenge Cup Final
Montpellier v Ulster
Date: Friday, May 22
Venue: San Mames Stadium, Bilbao
Kick-off: 21:00 local (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT)
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
How to watch: Premier Sports / ITV / France TV / beIN SPORTS / epcrugby.tv / FloRugby / Movistar +
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Investec Challenge Cup Final
Bordeaux-Begles v Leinster
Date: Saturday, May 23
Venue: San Mames Stadium, Bilbao
Kick-off: 15.45 local (14:45 BST, 13:45 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) 116th game
Assistant Referees: Ben Connor (WRU), Lucas Yendle (WRU)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
How to watch: Premier Sports / ITV / France TV / beIN SPORTS / epcrugby.tv / FloRugby / Movistar +
Champions Rugby Village opening hours
Friday, May 22: 11:00 am – 01:00 am
Saturday, May 23: 11:00 am – 01:00 am
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