Language Selection

Get healthy now with MedBeds!
Click here to book your session

Protect your whole family with Orgo-Life® Quantum MedBed Energy Technology® devices.

Advertising by Adpathway

News24 | 2026/27 URC fixtures unveiled: Lions host Leinster in Round 1, Stormers off to Ireland

2 weeks ago 13

PROTECT YOURSELF with Orgo-Life® QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY

Orgo-Life the new way to the future

Advertising by Adpathway

URC organisers have already announced fixtures for the 2026/27 season.
The season will run from 25 September 2026 until 19 June 2027.
In Round 1, the Stormers are away to Connacht, the Lions host Leinster, the Sharks entertain Ospreys, and the Bulls will travel abroad to face Zebre.
For more URC-related news, visit our dedicated section.

United Rugby Championship (URC) organisers on Tuesday confirmed the fixtures for the 2026/27 season.

With the new campaign set to kick off on Friday, September 25, the release comes 129 days ahead of Round 1, beating last season’s record of 128 days.

The URC said releasing the fixtures early would give supporters, clubs, broadcasters and venues “more time than ever before to plan around the league’s biggest weekends”.

VIEW:Full 2026/27 URC fixture list

Organisers added that the fixture list was designed to provide greater balance across the regular season, with “a more even spread of home and away fixtures and an optimised touring model for South African teams”.

The SA teams will each complete three two-game tours during the campaign.

In Round 1, Irish outfit Connacht will host the Stormers in Galway, while the Lions will battle 2024/25 champions Leinster at Ellis Park.

The Sharks will host Welsh side Ospreys in Durban in their opening game, while the Bulls will travel to Italy to face Zebre.

“Publishing our fixtures earlier than ever before is a major achievement and an important step for our clubs, supporters, broadcasters and venues. Fan certainty is hugely important to us. The more notice we can provide around fixtures and kick-off times, the easier it becomes for supporters to plan their weekends, travel to games and follow their teams throughout the season,” URC CEO Martin Anayi said in a statement.

READ | SA franchises to leave European Cup? ‘Speculation’, says Alexander as crucial meeting looms

The URC boss added that determining the fixture list was a collaborative process with clubs and broadcasters.

“We are grateful for the way they have worked with us to deliver a more balanced fixture list. The touring model has helped us create a better cadence of home and away games across the season, while also supporting improved kick-off scheduling.

“After the closest-ever Race to the Eight in 2025/26, we are preparing for another incredibly dramatic URC season. The level of competitiveness across the league continues to grow and we know every round will have a major impact on the battle for play-off places, European qualification and, ultimately, the title,” Anayi said.

2026/27 URC ROUND 1 FIXTURES:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Benetton v Dragons RFC

Stadio Monigo, Treviso, KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA & SA

Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby, URC.tv

Connacht v Stormers

Dexcom Stadium, Galway, KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA & SA

Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby, URC.tv

Ulster v Edinburgh

Affidea Stadium, Belfast, KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA & SA

Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby, URC.tv

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26