The best of European rugby will return to its home in Southern Europe. San Mamés will be decked out again in full splendour in May 2026 to host the finals of the EPCR Challenge Cup and the Investec Champions Cup. Following the historic success in 2018, Bilbao will consolidate its position as
the capital of international rugby, offering an unrivalled venue for fans from all over the continent looking to experience rugby in San Mamés 2026.
For those wishing to immerse themselves in the essence of this stadium before the big event, a visit to the AC Museum is the perfect way to understand why it is a global sporting icon. Ready for the world’s best rugby?
Rugby in San Mamés 2026: key dates
The wait is over. The EPCR has confirmed that the state of the art San Mamés Stadium has been chosen out of 23 world venues to crown the European champions. Add these dates to your calendar so you don’t miss the rugby in San Mamés 2026:
- Friday, 22 May 2026: EPCR Challenge Cup Final.
- Saturday, 23 May 2026: Investec Champions Cup Final.
If you are looking to enjoy these matches in absolute comfort and exclusivity, check out the VIP Experiences, in which the service and views of the pitch take the event to another level.
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE FINALS HERE!
European Rugby Official Fixtures 2025/26
To reach glory in the Cathedral, the teams will have to navigate a demanding path that kicks off this year. The San Mamés 2026 rugby tournament has the following schedule:
- Group Stage: December 2025 and January 2026.
- Round of 16: 3, 4 and 5 April 2026.
- Quarter-finals: 10, 11 and 12 April 2026.
- Semi-finals: 1, 2 and 3 May 2026.
A dream already experienced in 2018
Bilbao has already proven to the world its ability to host elite events. In 2018, San Mamés made history as the first venue outside the “Six Nations” to host these finals. The unforgettable atmosphere created by teams such as Leinster Rugby and Cardiff Rugby will be multiplied during the rugby at San Mamés 2026. We have the infrastructure, we have the fans and, above all, we have the experience to make these finals legendary.
Don’t forget that you can kit yourself out for the occasion at our official store, where you will find everything you need to show off the city’s colours during this historic weekend.
