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EXPLAINED: 2025-26 EPCR CHALLENGE CUP FORMAT
Newcastle Red Bulls kick off their EPCR Challenge Cup campaign this Saturday in Lyon, but how does the tournament work?
There are 18 clubs in the competition's pool phase, split into three pools of six. Each club plays four of the teams in their group on a home-or-away basis.
POOL 1: Ospreys, Zebre, Montpellier, Montauban, Black Lion, Connacht.
POOL 2: Lyon, Newcastle Red Bulls, Dragons, Benetton, Lions, Perpignan.
POOL 3: Cheetahs, Cardiff, Exeter, Racing 92, Stade Francais, Ulster.
The four highest-ranked teams in each pool will qualify for the round of 16 after the end of their four group matches, where they will be joined by four teams dropping down from the Investec Champions Cup.
If two teams are equal on points at the end of the pool stage their ranking will be decided by (in order) points difference, tries scored and, finally, the drawing of lots.
Season ticket holders are reminded that the two home pool games ARE included in their 2025-26 package.
Non-season ticket holders can buy by clicking here.
NEWCASTLE RED BULLS' FIXTURES (all times UK)
Sat Dec 6: v Lyon (away, 5.30pm, EPCR TV)
Sat Dec 13: v Lions (home, 5.30pm, Premier Sports)
Sat Jan 10: v Perpignan (home, 1pm, Premier Sports)
Fri Jan 16: v Dragons (away, 8pm, EPCR TV)
Round of 16 – April 3/4/5
Quarter-finals – April 10/11/12
Semi-finals – May 1/2/3
Final – Friday May 22 (San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao)
For the round of 16 the pool winners will be ranked 1 to 3, the second-placed clubs will be ranked 4 to 6, the two highest-ranked third-placed clubs will be ranked 7 and 8, the qualifying Investec Champions Cup clubs will be ranked 9 to 12, the remaining third-placed club will be ranked 13, and the fourth-placed clubs will be ranked 14 to 16.
The round of 16 will be 1 v 16, 2 v 15, 3 v 14 and so on.
