Bristol Bears open the 2025–26 Premiership season with renewed ambition and a marquee signing: the return of Welsh speedster Louis Rees-Zammit after his NFL adventure. 

Rees-Zammit’s arrival, alongside Ellis Genge and AJ MacGinty, signals Bristol’s intent to move from perennial contenders to serious title challengers. At Ashton Gate, supporters believe the Bears have the firepower to finally bring home a PREM trophy.

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Founded in 1888, Bristol’s history is a mix of tradition and turbulence. Once a yo-yo club, the Bears have solidified their place in the top flight in recent years. Since their 2018 rebrand, they’ve built a reputation for expansive rugby and bold recruitment. The Challenge Cup title in 2020 proved they can win silverware, but the Premiership remains the ultimate target. 

With Rees-Zammit joining an already stacked backline, this may be Bristol’s best chance yet.

Bristol Bears Roster and Key Players

The Bears’ pack is led by Ellis Genge (No. 48 in FloRugby’s Top 100), one of the Premiership’s most dominant props. Flanked by Steven Luatua and Viliame Mata, the back row provides balance and physicality.

In the backs, fly-halves AJ MacGinty and Harry Byrne provide tactical control, while Max Malins and Gabriel Ibitoye add finishing ability. 

But all eyes are on Louis Rees-Zammit, who brings world-class speed and international pedigree. His return could be transformative, giving Bristol the strike power to compete with Saracens, Bath and Leicester.

Bristol Bears Schedule 2025–26

• Sept. 28, 10:30 a.m. ET – Bristol Bears vs. Leicester Tigers, Ashton Gate
• Oct. 11, 10:00 a.m. ET – Bristol Bears vs. Exeter Chiefs, Ashton Gate
• Oct. 17, 2:45 p.m. ET – Gloucester Rugby vs. Bristol Bears, Kingsholm
• Oct. 25, 11:05 a.m. ET – Bath Rugby vs. Bristol Bears, The Rec
• Nov. 29, 12:45 p.m. ET – Bristol Bears vs. Northampton Saints, Ashton Gate
• Dec. 20, 1:00 p.m. ET – Harlequins vs. Bristol Bears, Twickenham Stadium
• Dec. 27, 10:00 a.m. ET – Bristol Bears vs. Newcastle Red Bulls, Ashton Gate
• Jan. 2, 2:45 p.m. ET – Bristol Bears vs. Sale Sharks, Ashton Gate
• Jan. 24–26 – Exeter Chiefs vs. Bristol Bears, Sandy Park
• Mar. 21–23 – Leicester Tigers vs. Bristol Bears, Welford Road
• Mar. 28–30 – Bristol Bears vs. Harlequins, Principality Stadium
• Apr. 18–20 – Bristol Bears vs. Gloucester Rugby, Ashton Gate
• May 9–11 – Bristol Bears vs. Saracens, Ashton Gate
• May 16–18 – Northampton Saints vs. Bristol Bears, Franklin’s Gardens
• May 30–Jun. 1 – Bristol Bears vs. Bath Rugby, Ashton Gate
• Jun. 6–8 – Sale Sharks vs. Bristol Bears, Salford Stadium

Subscribe To The FloRugby Annual Plan To Watch Every Bristol Rugby Match In 2025–26

Bristol supporters in the U.S. can stay connected all year with the FloRugby annual plan, which provides access to every Premiership fixture, including Bristol’s biggest clashes at Ashton Gate and beyond.

European Union Rugby Lives On FloSports And FloRugby

Rugby fans can stream every match from the Top 14, Gallagher Premiership, and United Rugby Championship on FloRugby, along with the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, making the platform the U.S. home for the world’s biggest club competitions and the game’s top players

How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

Professional club rugby in Europe all streams on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to: 

• United Rugby Championship
• PREM Rugby
• Top 14
• Investec Champions Cup
• EPCR Challenge Cup
• Currie Cup
• Super Rugby
• And more

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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