According to the URC, the 2026/27 fixture list has been 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, who will each complete three two-game tours during the campaign.
Round one will begin with fixtures across Ireland, Italy, South Africa and Wales on the opening weekend, with all five competing territories in action across the first round.
Some round one highlights include Connacht welcoming the Stormers to Dexcom Stadium, while the Lions host Leinster at Ellis Park.
The Sharks will also be at home in the opening round as they take on the Ospreys in Durban. The Bulls will be on the road, travelling to Italy to face Zebre Parma.
Another busy URC season lies ahead
Festive derby rounds will again form a major part of the season, with Rounds seven, eight and nine staged across December and early January, while the Race to the Eight will build from Round 13 as the battle for knockout rugby intensifies.
Themed rounds will also return during the 2026/27 campaign, with further details to be confirmed by the URC in the near future.
The format of the competition remains unchanged, with the top eight teams progressing to the playoffs. The quarter-finals will begin on Friday, May 28, with the semi-finals taking place from Saturday, 5 June before the Grand Final on Saturday, 19 June to crown the 2026/27 champions.
Round 1 Fixtures
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
- Benetton v Dragons RFC
- Connacht v DHL Stormers
- Ulster v Edinburgh
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
- Lions v Leinster
- Sharks v Ospreys
- Munster v Glasgow Warriors
- Zebre Parma v Bulls
- Scarlets v Cardiff
