EPCR announces new qualification and bonus point rules

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has announced significant format changes for its upcoming season, including a revised qualification system and a new bonus point structure, ahead of the pool stage draws scheduled for Wednesday, July 1. The draws will set the groups for the 2026-27 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.

The most notable change alters how teams reach the knockout stages. In the Champions Cup, only the top three teams from each of the four pools will now qualify automatically for the Round of 16, down from the previous four. The remaining four spots will be awarded to the next best-performing clubs across the entire competition based on total match points, regardless of their pool. This aims to ensure the best teams advance and places greater emphasis on every match, particularly in the final rounds.

A new tiebreaker system will also be implemented. If clubs are level on competition points, the number of match wins will now be the primary decider for ranking, replacing the previous method which prioritized points difference. Organizers stated this change, along with the qualification revision, is designed to reward teams that secure more victories...