The United Rugby Championship returns this fall with perhaps its most compelling season yet, as 16 clubs from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and South Africa begin the road to the 2027 BKT URC Grand Final on June 19. 

Every match will carry added significance with the 2027 Rugby World Cup looming at the end of the campaign, giving many of the world's biggest stars one final opportunity to impress their national selectors before squads are named.

• Subscribe To FloRugby To Watch Rugby All Season Long
• What's Streaming On FloRugby? Take A Look At The Schedule
• Top 50 Rugby Union Prospects 2026: No. 10-1 | FloRugby Rankings

Leinster Rugby enters the new season chasing history after capturing back-to-back URC titles, including a dominant victory over Vodacom Bulls Rugby in last season's championship match. The 2026-27 campaign also is Leo Cullen's final season leading Leinster, adding another layer of intrigue as one of the competition's most successful coaches attempts to leave with a third consecutive championship. 

Standing in the way are several legitimate challengers, including the Glasgow Warriors, Munster Rugby and a DHL Stormers Rugby side that has transformed itself into one of rugby's most fascinating teams.

The Stormers made arguably the biggest offseason statement by adding Springbok superstars Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe to a squad that already featured one of the league's most dangerous attacks. Along with rivals such as the Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks and Fidelity SecureDrive Lions, South Africa once again appears positioned to play a major role in the championship race. 

Glasgow, meanwhile, will attempt to return to the top after finishing first in the regular-season standings last year, while Munster continues to pursue its first URC title since the 2022-23 campaign.

The fixture list provides no shortage of marquee occasions throughout the season. Leinster and Munster renew one of rugby's greatest rivalries twice, first in Dublin during Round 4 before meeting again in Limerick during the holiday period in Round 8. 

Scotland's oldest professional rivalry between Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby returns during the festive schedule before the clubs meet again at Hampden Park in Round 16. 

South Africa's fierce North-South Derby between the DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls will be contested during Rounds 8 and 9, with those matches shifted to February because the European clubs will be competing in the Guinness Six Nations during the traditional holiday rounds. 

From opening weekend through the playoffs, every round will serve as another step toward both the URC championship and the road to Rugby World Cup 2027.

How To Watch The United Rugby Championship 2026-2027 Season In The United States

Every match of the 2026-2027 United Rugby Championship season will stream live in the United States on FloRugby and the FloSports app. Subscribers also can watch full-match replays, highlights and exclusive coverage throughout the season on any compatible device.

The URC Holiday Matches Are Loaded!

The traditional holiday derby rounds once again headline one of the best stretches of the URC calendar. 

European clubs will battle through Round 8 on Dec. 26-27 and Round 9 on Jan. 2-3 with rivalry fixtures taking center stage, including Dragons Rugby vs. Cardiff Rugby, Ospreys Rugby vs. Scarlets Rugby, Edinburgh vs. Glasgow Warriors, Ulster Rugby vs. Connacht Rugby, and Munster vs. Leinster. 

Connacht also hosts Munster during New Year's weekend, while Cardiff and Ospreys renew another Welsh rivalry.

South Africa's holiday derby schedule again is adjusted because of the Guinness Six Nations window. Instead of playing in late December, the Lions host the Hollywoodbets Sharks on Feb. 20 before the Vodacom Bulls welcome the DHL Stormers on Feb. 21 as part of Round 8. 

The return fixtures take place during Round 9, with the Sharks hosting the Lions on Jan. 2 and the Stormers hosting the Bulls on Jan. 3, ensuring the league's biggest South African rivalries remain part of the festive calendar despite the scheduling adjustment.

When Do The 2027 URC Playoffs Start?

The 2027 United Rugby Championship playoffs begin May 28, 2027, with the top eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals. Four quarterfinal matches will determine the semifinal field before the remaining clubs battle for a place in the championship match.

When Is The URC Grand Final?

The 2027 United Rugby Championship Grand Final will be played June 19, 2027, with the winner lifting the league trophy after an 18-round regular season and three rounds of postseason play.

Here's The United Rugby Championship Schedule For The 2026-2027 Season

Here's a look at each round. Times and location may change. 

URC Round 1

September 25-26, 2026

Friday, Sept. 25

• 2:45 p.m. ET: Benetton vs. Dragons RFC, Stadio Monigo (Treviso, Italy)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Connacht vs. DHL Stormers, Dexcom Stadium (Galway, Ireland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Ulster vs. Edinburgh, Affidea Stadium (Belfast, Northern Ireland)

Saturday, Sept. 26

• 7:30 a.m. ET: Lions vs. Leinster, Ellis Park (Johannesburg, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Ospreys, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (Durban, South Africa)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Munster vs. Glasgow Warriors, Thomond Park (Limerick, Ireland)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Zebre Parma vs. Vodacom Bulls, Stadio Lanfranchi (Parma, Italy)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Cardiff, Parc y Scarlets (Llanelli, Wales)

URC Round 2

October 2-3, 2026

Friday, Oct. 2

• 2:45 p.m. ET: Cardiff vs. Zebre Parma, Cardiff Arms Park (Cardiff, Wales)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Edinburgh vs. DHL Stormers, Hive Stadium (Edinburgh, Scotland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Benetton vs. Connacht, Stadio Monigo (Treviso, Italy)

Saturday, Oct. 3

• 7:45 a.m. ET: Lions vs. Ospreys, Ellis Park (Johannesburg, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: Dragons RFC vs. Scarlets, Rodney Parade (Newport, Wales)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Leinster, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (Durban, South Africa)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Munster vs. Vodacom Bulls, Thomond Park (Limerick, Ireland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Ulster, Scotstoun Stadium (Glasgow, Scotland)

URC Round 3

October 9-10, 2026

Friday, Oct. 9

• 2:45 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Connacht, Scotstoun Stadium (Glasgow, Scotland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Dragons RFC vs. Ospreys, Rodney Parade (Newport, Wales)

Saturday, Oct. 10

• 7:30 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Lions, Loftus Versfeld (Pretoria, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, DHL Stadium (Cape Town, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: Zebre Parma vs. Edinburgh, Stadio Lanfranchi (Parma, Italy)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Benetton, Parc y Scarlets (Llanelli, Wales)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Ulster vs. Munster, Affidea Stadium (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Leinster vs. Cardiff, Laya Arena (Dublin, Ireland)

URC Round 4

October 23-24, 2026

Friday, Oct. 23

• 2:45 p.m. ET: Cardiff vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Cardiff Arms Park (Cardiff, Wales)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Connacht vs. Zebre Parma, Dexcom Stadium (Galway, Ireland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Edinburgh vs. Lions, Hive Stadium (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Saturday, Oct. 24

• 7:45 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Ulster, Loftus Versfeld (Pretoria, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. Scarlets, DHL Stadium (Cape Town, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: Benetton vs. Glasgow Warriors, Stadio Monigo (Treviso, Italy)
• 1 p.m. ET: Leinster vs. Munster, Dublin (Venue TBA)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Ospreys vs. Dragons RFC, St. Helen's (Swansea, Wales)

URC Round 5

October 30-31, 2026

Friday, Oct. 30

• 2:45 p.m. ET: Connacht vs. Leinster, Dexcom Stadium (Galway, Ireland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Lions, Scotstoun Stadium (Glasgow, Scotland)

Saturday, Oct. 31

• 7:45 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. Ulster, DHL Stadium (Cape Town, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Scarlets, Loftus Versfeld (Pretoria, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: Benetton vs. Edinburgh, Stadio Monigo (Treviso, Italy)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Munster vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Thomond Park (Limerick, Ireland)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Dragons RFC vs. Zebre Parma, Rodney Parade (Newport, Wales)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Ospreys vs. Cardiff, St. Helen's (Swansea, Wales)

URC Round 6

December 4-5, 2026

Friday, Dec. 4

• 2:45 p.m. ET: Ospreys vs. Leinster, St. Helen's (Swansea, Wales)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Edinburgh vs. Dragons RFC, Hive Stadium (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Saturday, Dec. 5

• 7:30 a.m. ET: Lions vs. Vodacom Bulls, Ellis Park (Johannesburg, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. DHL Stormers, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (Durban, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: Cardiff vs. Ulster, Cardiff Arms Park (Cardiff, Wales)
• 12:15 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Connacht, Parc y Scarlets (Llanelli, Wales)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Benetton, Scotstoun Stadium (Glasgow, Scotland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Zebre Parma vs. Munster, Stadio Lanfranchi (Parma, Italy)

URC Round 7

December 18-19, 2026

Friday, Dec. 18

• 2:45 p.m. ET: Ulster vs. Ospreys, Affidea Stadium (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Munster vs. Scarlets, Virgin Media Park (Cork, Ireland)

Saturday, Dec. 19

• 8:30 a.m. ET: Zebre Parma vs. Benetton, Stadio Lanfranchi (Parma, Italy)
• 9 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. Lions, DHL Stadium (Cape Town, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: Cardiff vs. Dragons RFC, Cardiff Arms Park (Cardiff, Wales)
• 11:30 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (Durban, South Africa)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster vs. Glasgow Warriors, Laya Arena (Dublin, Ireland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Connacht vs. Edinburgh, Dexcom Stadium (Galway, Ireland)

URC Round 8: Holiday Matches

December 26-27, 2026 (European Fixtures)

February 20-21, 2027 (South African Fixtures)

Saturday, Dec. 26

• 10 a.m. ET: Dragons RFC vs. Cardiff, Rodney Parade (Newport, Wales)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Ospreys vs. Scarlets, St. Helen's (Swansea, Wales)

Sunday, Dec. 27

• 8:30 a.m. ET: Benetton vs. Zebre Parma, Stadio Monigo (Treviso, Italy)
• 10 a.m. ET: Edinburgh vs. Glasgow Warriors, Scottish Gas Murrayfield (Edinburgh, Scotland)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Ulster vs. Connacht, Affidea Stadium (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Munster vs. Leinster, Thomond Park (Limerick, Ireland)

Saturday, Feb. 20

• 7 a.m. ET: Lions vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Ellis Park (Johannesburg, South Africa)

Sunday, Feb. 21

• 8 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. DHL Stormers, Loftus Versfeld (Pretoria, South Africa)

URC Round 9: Happy New Year

January 2-3, 2027

Saturday, Jan. 2

• 10 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Lions, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (Durban, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: Zebre Parma vs. Glasgow Warriors, Stadio Lanfranchi (Parma, Italy)
• 10 a.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Dragons RFC, Parc y Scarlets (Llanelli, Wales)
• 12:15 p.m. ET: Connacht vs. Munster, Dexcom Stadium (Galway, Ireland)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Edinburgh vs. Benetton, Hive Stadium (Edinburgh, Scotland)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Cardiff vs. Ospreys, Cardiff Arms Park (Cardiff, Wales)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Leinster vs. Ulster, Laya Arena (Dublin, Ireland)

Sunday, Jan. 3

• 9 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. Vodacom Bulls, DHL Stadium (Cape Town, South Africa)

URC Round 10

January 22-23, 2027

Friday, Jan. 22

• 2:45 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Scarlets, Scotstoun Stadium (Glasgow, Scotland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Ulster vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Affidea Stadium (Belfast, Northern Ireland)

Saturday, Jan. 23

• 7:45 a.m. ET: Lions vs. Zebre Parma, Ellis Park (Johannesburg, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. Cardiff, DHL Stadium (Cape Town, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: Ospreys vs. Edinburgh, St. Helen's (Swansea, Wales)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Benetton vs. Vodacom Bulls, Stadio Monigo (Treviso, Italy)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster vs. Dragons RFC, Laya Arena (Dublin, Ireland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Munster vs. Connacht, Thomond Park (Limerick, Ireland)

URC Round 11

January 29-30, 2027

Friday, Jan. 29

• 2:45 p.m. ET: Dragons RFC vs. Munster, Rodney Parade (Newport, Wales)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Ospreys, Scotstoun Stadium (Glasgow, Scotland)

Saturday, Jan. 30

• 7:45 a.m. ET: Lions vs. Cardiff, Ellis Park (Johannesburg, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. Zebre Parma, DHL Stadium (Cape Town, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Edinburgh, Parc y Scarlets (Llanelli, Wales)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster vs. Vodacom Bulls, Laya Arena (Dublin, Ireland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Benetton vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Stadio Monigo (Treviso, Italy)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Connacht vs. Ulster, Dexcom Stadium (Galway, Ireland)

URC Round 12

February 26-27, 2027

Friday, Feb. 26

• 2:45 p.m. ET: Munster vs. Benetton, Virgin Media Park (Cork, Ireland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Dragons RFC vs. Ulster, Rodney Parade (Newport, Wales)

Saturday, Feb. 27

• 7:30 a.m. ET: Lions vs. DHL Stormers, Ellis Park (Johannesburg, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Loftus Versfeld (Pretoria, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: Cardiff vs. Glasgow Warriors, Cardiff Arms Park (Cardiff, Wales)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Zebre Parma vs. Scarlets, Stadio Lanfranchi (Parma, Italy)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Ospreys vs. Connacht, St. Helen's (Swansea, Wales)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Edinburgh vs. Leinster, Hive Stadium (Edinburgh, Scotland)

URC Round 13

March 19-20, 2027

Friday, Mar. 19

• 12 p.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Edinburgh, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (Durban, South Africa)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. DHL Stormers, Scotstoun Stadium (Glasgow, Scotland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Connacht vs. Cardiff, Dexcom Stadium (Galway, Ireland)

Saturday, Mar. 20

• 10 a.m. ET: Ulster vs. Zebre Parma, Affidea Stadium (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
• 10 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Dragons RFC, Loftus Versfeld (Pretoria, South Africa)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Munster vs. Ospreys, Thomond Park (Limerick, Ireland)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Lions, Parc y Scarlets (Llanelli, Wales)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Leinster vs. Benetton, Laya Arena (Dublin, Ireland)

URC Round 14

March 26-27, 2027

Friday, Mar. 26

• 2:45 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Zebre Parma, Scotstoun Stadium (Glasgow, Scotland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Leinster, Parc y Scarlets (Llanelli, Wales)

Saturday, Mar. 27

• 7 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Edinburgh, Loftus Versfeld (Pretoria, South Africa)
• 9:15 a.m. ET: Connacht vs. Lions, Dexcom Stadium (Galway, Ireland)
• 11:30 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Dragons RFC, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (Durban, South Africa)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Cardiff vs. Munster, Cardiff Arms Park (Cardiff, Wales)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Benetton vs. Ulster, Stadio Monigo (Treviso, Italy)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Ospreys vs. DHL Stormers, St. Helen's (Swansea, Wales)

URC Round 15

April 16-17, 2027

Friday, Apr. 16

• 2:45 p.m. ET: Dragons RFC vs. Glasgow Warriors, Rodney Parade (Newport, Wales)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Edinburgh vs. Cardiff, Hive Stadium (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Saturday, Apr. 17

• 7:45 a.m. ET: Lions vs. Munster, Ellis Park (Johannesburg, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. Benetton, DHL Stadium (Cape Town, South Africa)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Ospreys vs. Vodacom Bulls, St. Helen's (Swansea, Wales)
• 12:45 p.m. ET: Leinster vs. Connacht, Laya Arena (Dublin, Ireland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Ulster vs. Scarlets, Affidea Stadium (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Zebre Parma vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Stadio Lanfranchi (Parma, Italy)

URC Round 16

April 23-24, 2027

Friday, Apr. 23

• 1 p.m. ET: Zebre Parma vs. Ospreys, Stadio Lanfranchi (Parma, Italy)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Ulster vs. Leinster, Affidea Stadium (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
• 3:05 p.m. ET: Cardiff vs. Vodacom Bulls, Cardiff Arms Park (Cardiff, Wales)

Saturday, Apr. 24

• 7:45 a.m. ET: Lions vs. Benetton, Ellis Park (Johannesburg, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Parc y Scarlets (Llanelli, Wales)
• 12:05 p.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. Munster, DHL Stadium (Cape Town, South Africa)
• 12:45 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Edinburgh, Hampden Park (Glasgow, Scotland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Connacht vs. Dragons RFC, Dexcom Stadium (Galway, Ireland)

URC Round 17

May 7-8, 2027

Friday, May 7

• 2:45 p.m. ET: Dragons RFC vs. Lions, Rodney Parade (Newport, Wales)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Edinburgh vs. Zebre Parma, Hive Stadium (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Saturday, May 8

• 7:30 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Connacht, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (Durban, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Glasgow Warriors, Loftus Versfeld (Pretoria, South Africa)
• 12:15 p.m. ET: Munster vs. Ulster, Thomond Park (Limerick, Ireland)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Ospreys, Parc y Scarlets (Llanelli, Wales)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Leinster vs. DHL Stormers, Laya Arena (Dublin, Ireland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Benetton vs. Cardiff, Stadio Monigo (Treviso, Italy)

URC Round 18

May 14-15, 2027

Friday, May 14

• 2:45 p.m. ET: Ospreys vs. Benetton, St. Helen's (Swansea, Wales)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Ulster vs. Lions, Affidea Stadium (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
• 2:45 p.m. ET: Edinburgh vs. Munster, Hive Stadium (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Saturday, May 15

• 7:30 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Connacht, Loftus Versfeld (Pretoria, South Africa)
• 10 a.m. ET: Cardiff vs. Scarlets, Cardiff Arms Park (Cardiff, Wales)
• 10 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Glasgow Warriors, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (Durban, South Africa)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Dragons RFC vs. DHL Stormers, Rodney Parade (Newport, Wales)
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Zebre Parma vs. Leinster, Stadio Lanfranchi (Parma, Italy)

How To Watch FloRugby

FloRugby is available through a FloSports subscription. Subscribers can watch live rugby matches, full-match replays, highlights, original programming and exclusive coverage across multiple competitions. Stream on your computer at FloRugby.com or through the FloSports app on supported mobile devices and connected TVs.

Can You Watch Replays On FloRugby?

Yes. FloRugby subscribers can watch full-match replays after live events conclude, along with match highlights, interviews and other on-demand content. Replays allow fans to catch up on matches they missed or revisit key moments throughout the season.

Can You Watch FloRugby On TV?

Yes. FloRugby is available on many popular streaming platforms through the FloSports app, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV. You also can cast from a compatible mobile device to supported televisions using Chromecast or AirPlay.

Can You Watch FloRugby On Mobile?

Yes. The FloSports app is available for iOS and Android devices, allowing subscribers to stream live matches, watch replays and follow rugby coverage from virtually anywhere with an internet connection.

What Rugby Competitions Are On FloRugby?

FloRugby streams a wide range of rugby competitions throughout the year, including major domestic leagues, international matches, European club competitions and select age-grade and collegiate events. Available competitions vary by region and broadcast rights, so check the FloRugby schedule for the latest listings.

Where Can I Find Rugby News, Schedules And Results?

FloRugby provides year-round rugby coverage, including breaking news, match previews, lineups, rankings, transfer news, schedules, results and standings. 

Join The Rugby Conversation On FloRugby Social

• Follow us on Twitter @florugby
• Follow us on Instagram @florugby
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook