United Rugby Championship Kicks Off 25th Season After Record-Breaking Year
United Rugby Championship Kicks Off 25th Season After Record-Breaking Year
The BKT United Rugby Championship launches its 25th season after breaking records in attendance, broadcast and digital growth, ready for a thrilling season
The BKT United Rugby Championship is set to launch its 25th season this weekend, riding the momentum of a record-breaking campaign that has reshaped expectations for professional club rugby.
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Leinster lifted their ninth league crown last year, capping a season that smashed attendance and broadcast records across the competition. More than 53 million viewers tuned in worldwide, while an all-time high of 1.8 million fans packed stadiums throughout the 2024-25 season, including a historic 80,468 at Croke Park for Leinster’s clash with Munster. The league’s average crowd of 12,100 per game was the best in its history.
Since welcoming South Africa’s four franchises in 2021, the URC has embraced its unique north vs. south flavor, producing fierce rivalries and expanding its global footprint. That growth was underscored by SA Rugby becoming a shareholder this summer, signaling long-term commitment to the competition’s vision.
Off the pitch, the URC surged across digital platforms. The league’s social following grew to 1.65 million, while YouTube alone delivered 56 million video views and a staggering 1.8 million hours of watch time — connecting new audiences from India to the U.S.
On the field, fans can expect more of the drama that defined last season. Matches averaged nearly seven tries, and 42 percent were decided by a single score. With 319 internationally capped players involved, the URC continues to boast the deepest pool of talent in club rugby.
As the new season begins, the league is not just celebrating its past success but setting the stage for even bigger moments ahead.
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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:
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