For decades, fans have debated whether the Crusaders could beat Toulouse, or if Leinster could outplay the Blues. In 2028, they’ll finally find out.
The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has confirmed that a new Rugby World Club Cup will launch in June 2028, creating a formal global competition between leading clubs from the northern and southern hemispheres.
The announcement was made on May 24 by EPCR Chairman Dominic McKay during finals weekend in Cardiff, where the organisation also celebrated the 30th anniversary of its European competitions.
The move follows unanimous approval from all key stakeholders, including the TOP 14, the United Rugby Championship (URC), and the English Premiership, along with seven national unions represented on the EPCR board and general assembly.
The Rugby World Club Cup will feature 16 teams, with eight qualifying from the Investec Champions Cup, and the other eight expected to come from Super Rugby Pacific and Japan Rugby League One. It will be held every four years, with the inaugural edition scheduled for June 2028.
This competition will mark the first structured and recurring global tournament for professional club sides, something long discussed but never formalised. Until now, elite club competitions have remained largely regional, with the Champions Cup representing Europe and South Africa, and Super Rugby serving the southern hemisphere.
Club rugby’s calendar is changing
The introduction of the Rugby World Club Cup will require calendar adjustments, particularly in an already congested rugby schedule. Although EPCR has committed to holding the tournament in the traditional off-season to reduce disruption, further coordination will be needed between club and international calendars.
The tournament is also expected to replace the knockout rounds of the Investec Champions Cup in World Club Cup years. This model would mean the top eight clubs in that season’s Champions Cup would advance into the new global competition rather than continue through the European-only knockout stages.
This change introduces a tiered format, where a strong Champions Cup performance can lead to a place on the world stage. It also reshapes the closing phase of the European season in those years, with additional travel and global matchups in place of the traditional quarter-finals and beyond.
“We want to elevate professional club rugby. We already have incredible competitions, and we’re now broadening the family,” said McKay.
“This is something we’ve spoken about for the last two or three years. Everyone is unanimous about delivering a World Club Cup through EPCR.”
Previous global concepts lacked traction
The announcement marks a shift from previous attempts at global club contests, which have typically been one-off matches or short-lived ventures. Notably, the Sanix World Youth Rugby Tournament and occasional friendly matches between clubs across hemispheres never evolved into lasting formats.
A formal World Club Challenge was proposed multiple times in the past two decades, but was never implemented due to governance disagreements and calendar conflicts between EPCR, SANZAAR, and national unions.
This time, organisers say the project has been carefully aligned with all stakeholders to ensure long-term viability.
Existing competitions will remain in place
EPCR has stated clearly that both the Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup will continue on an annual basis. The World Club Cup will act as a complementary event, designed to enhance, rather than replace, the current club structure.
“The Investec Champions Cup is the greatest club competition in the world. We will continue to protect it, nurture it, and develop it further,” said McKay.
The EPCR Challenge Cup, which this year saw Bath defeat Lyon 37–12 to win their first European trophy in 17 years, will also continue with new enhancements expected to be announced in the coming months.
What it means for fans and players
The new tournament is expected to attract significant interest from broadcasters, sponsors, and fans around the world. By bringing together top clubs from Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan, it creates an opportunity for high-quality matchups that have previously only been hypothetical.
Fixtures such as Toulouse vs Crusaders, Leinster vs Brumbies, or La Rochelle vs Panasonic Wild Knights are now likely outcomes, with all matches carrying competitive weight.
EPCR has also said that player welfare and scheduling logistics have been central to the planning process. While more detail is needed, the tournament is expected to involve a limited number of matches over a compressed window to avoid overloading squads.
“We believe the fans of the future want to see the greatest clubs come together. They already have that in Europe and South Africa, and we want to broaden that further,” McKay said.