How to live stream the European Rugby Champions Cup with a VPN
Don’t let Wi-Fi streaming blocks come between you and the intense rugby action. Fix common streaming issues and watch on your own terms with ExpressVPN.
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a server location that matches the broadcaster you want to watch. For example, British fans should connect to a VPN server in the UK to stream matches on UK broadcasters such as Premier Sports.
- Cheer on your favorite team!
Why you need a VPN for streaming the European Rugby Champions Cup
Your internet service provider (ISP) might limit your internet speed when it detects streaming activity, especially during peak hours. This can cause buffering and low-quality video that will ruin your streaming experience. A VPN offers an easy solution, as it encrypts your connection so your ISP can’t see what you’re doing online. Without a reason to throttle your speeds, your provider will leave you to enjoy every try of the Champions Cup in pixel-perfect quality.
Another benefit of streaming live sports with a VPN is that it protects your personal data, such as passwords, subscription information, and payment details with strong encryption. This is especially important if you connect to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.
The best VPN for streaming the European Rugby Champions Cup
ExpressVPN is designed with streaming in mind, and works effortlessly with major sports streaming platforms. With a global 10-Gbps network, you can always find a VPN server where you need it. These high-speed servers give you a blazing-fast VPN connection for seamless streaming performance, so you can enjoy every tackle, try, and conversion in picture-perfect quality, even in UHD.
A single ExpressVN account allows up to 8 devices to be connected at the same time, so you can stream rugby on your smart TV while other members of your household connect to the VPN on their own devices. Try ExpressVPN now with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How to watch European Rugby Champions Cup live streams for free
France
France TV
France TV offers free broadcasts of several matches featuring French teams competing in the European Rugby Champions Cup. Matches are available to live stream via the France TV website and app. You need a French postcode (e.g., 78000 or 69008) to register your free account.
If you notice that your connection slows down whenever you start streaming, leading to buffering and poor picture quality, your ISP may be throttling your connection. To avoid this, connect to an ExpressVPN server in France. It encrypts your connection, ensuring your activity stays private from your ISP, so you can watch with the speeds you paid for.
Ireland
RTÉ Player
In Ireland, you can watch select Champions Cup live streams for free on RTÉ Player. The Irish broadcaster is expected to show one game per round, focusing on fixtures involving Irish teams.
Other ways to watch European Rugby Champions Cup
Watch the Champions Cup on EPCR TV
EPCR TV is the official streaming platform for the European Rugby Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, providing live and on-demand coverage of matches. The service is accessible in over 20 European countries, including Switzerland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, and Italy, as well as Australia, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Southeast Asia. Subscription options are flexible, offering match passes for individual fixtures, weekends, or the complete season to suit your viewing preferences.
Live stream the Champions Cup on Premier Sports in the UK
Premier Sports has secured a three-year deal to broadcast the European Champions Cup in the UK and Ireland through the 2026–27 season. This includes all 63 Champions Cup matches and other select rugby fixtures. To stream matches on Premier Sports, you can subscribe to its standalone streaming service, access it through NOW with the Sports Saver Bundle, or add it to your Amazon Prime Video account.
Watch Champions Cup live on beIN Sports in France
In France, all Champions Cup rugby matches that aren’t streaming free on France TV will be broadcast on beIN Sports. You can subscribe to beIN Sports through most major cable providers or the platform’s standalone streaming service, beIN Sports Connect.
How to Watch the European Champions Cup on FloRugby in the U.S. and Canada
FloRugby is the exclusive broadcaster of both the European Rugby Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup in the United States and Canada, with every match available live and on-demand. You can watch via the FloSports website or apps for iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast. The platform offers extensive rugby coverage, including popular tournaments, such as the United Rugby Championship and France’s Top 14. Subscription options include monthly and annual plans.
Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, be sure to use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Watch European Rugby Champions Cup highlights on YouTube
You can check out the latest highlights, news, interviews, practices, and previews on the official European Rugby Champions Cup YouTube channel.
What is the difference between the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup?
The Champions Cup is the highest tier of European club rugby, while the Challenge Cup is the second tier.
Who are the favorites for the 2024-25 Champions Cup?
Several clubs are emerging as strong contenders for the Champions Cup this season. Here are our top three:
- Toulouse: The reigning champion’s consistent performance and depth make it a formidable opponent as it aims for a seventh title.
- Leinster: Despite recent near-misses, Leinster remains a top contender, driven by a desire to convert its strong form into silverware.
- La Rochelle: With two titles in recent years, La Rochelle’s resilience and tactical prowess position it as a serious challenger.
ExpressVPN is a VPN service not intended to be used as a means of copyright circumvention. Please read the ExpressVPN Terms of Service and your content provider’s Terms of Use for more details.
FAQ: About where to watch the Champions Cup rugby
Can I use a VPN to watch the European Rugby Champions Cup from another country?
Some users might watch the European Rugby Champions Cup by connecting to a VPN server in a country other than their own, but doing so may violate copyright or the streaming service’s terms of use. ExpressVPN is a privacy and security tool, and using it to circumvent copyright is against our Terms of Service. We cannot see or control what you do while connected to our VPN, so you are responsible for ensuring that your use complies with all relevant terms and laws.
Can I use a free VPN to watch the European Rugby Champions Cup?
Free VPNs can’t usually access streaming services. They often have small networks, so finding a server in the right location can be challenging. They also tend to offer slower speeds and restrict your bandwidth, leading to mid-match buffering and cut-offs. ExpressVPN offers high-speed servers in 105 countries, and works seamlessly with streaming platforms. Take advantage of a 30-day money-back guarantee to try it risk-free.
How can I watch the Champions Cup?
You can stream a few European Rugby Champions Cup games for free on France TV (France) and RTÉ (Ireland). Other options that carry more games include Premier Sports (UK), beIN Sports (France), and FloRugby (U.S). If you live in an area without a local broadcast option, you can subscribe to EPCR TV to stream every match live or on-demand.
Where can you watch European Rugby Champions Cup matches in Australia?
In Australia, you can stream European Rugby Champions Cup matches live through beIN Sports, which is available with Foxtel’s Sports package or via Kayo Sports. Alternatively, you can subscribe to the standalone beIN Sports Connect app.
If you’re traveling outside Australia but want to keep watching through your usual streaming service, simply connect to an ExpressVPN server in Australia and watch the matches as if you were still back home.
