Champions and Challenge Cup finals coming to Cardiff in 2025

The showpiece matches will take place at the 74,000-capacity Principality Stadium.

Athletic Bilbao’s 53,000-seater San Mames stadium, which previously hosted the matches in 2018, will stage the two finals in 2026.

Cardiff Arms Park was the venue for the final of the inaugural European Rugby Champions Cup – then known as the Heineken Cup – in 1996 when Toulouse beat Cardiff 21-18.

It has staged five finals of the premier European tournament, the last of which was when Toulon triumphed in 2014.

The Challenge Cup was hosted at the Arms Park that year, while in 2011 it was held at Cardiff City Stadium.

EPCR Chairman Dominic McKay, Wales Senior Men’s Assistant Coach Jonathan Humphreys, WRU Executive Director of Rugby Nigel Walker, Director of Economic Development of the Provincial Government of Bizkaia Cristina Mujika, WRU Group CEO Abi Tierney, Principality Stadium Manager Mark Williams, Leader of Cardiff Council Huw Thomas and Bilbao Ekintza Councillor for Economic Development, Commerce, Tourism and Employment Xabier Iñigo Ochandiano Martinez (Image: EPRC)

European Professional Club Rugby chairman Dominic McKay said: “In returning to Cardiff, 30 years on from the iconic first final means a great to deal to us and our friends here in the city, and we will celebrate the milestone appropriately.

“We know this rugby heartland will not only be proud to host this historic weekend, but will welcome rugby fans from across the world to join us.

“For 2026, we cannot wait to return to Bilbao, which hosted a superb celebration of rugby in a world-class destination in 2018.”