Munster Rugby's 2025/2026 URC fixtures confirmed including Christmas clash with Leinster

MUNSTER Rugby will begin their United Rugby Championship campaign for 2025/2026 with an away date against the Scarlets on Saturday, September 27 at 5.30pm.

2023 URC champions Munster will then host Cardiff in their first home fixture of the season at Thomond Park on Saturday, October 4, 7.45pm.

Munster's first interprovincial fixture will be an away date with Leinster in Dublin on Saturday, October 18, before a home fixture against Connacht on Saturday, October 25 at Thomond Park, 7.45pm.

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Munster's marquee home URC fixture against Leinster is scheduled to take place at Thomond Park on Saturday, December 27, 7.45pm.

With the campaign set to kick off on September 26, this release arrives 128 days ahead of Round 1

Round 1 will kick off in Cape Town where the 2022 BKT URC champions, DHL Stormers, will take on the eight-time league winners, Leinster, at DHL Stadium on Friday, September 26.

For full list of 2025/2026 URC fixtures, click here

The format of the competition remains unchanged, with the top eight teams progressing to the Play-Offs beginning May 29.

The Semi-Finals will be played on June 6, followed by the Grand Final on June 20 to crown the 2025/26 champions.

Broadcast coverage for fixtures will continue to evolve, with additional partners to be announced as talks with a Free-to-air partner in the UK and in international territories continue.

Martin Anayi, United Rugby Championship CEO, said: “Advance planning is critical to the success of the United Rugby Championship and it is fantastic that we have continued to raise the bar in publishing our fixtures as early as possible.

“For clubs and fans, planning their weekends and knowing where their teams are playing so far ahead of time makes a big difference. The drama and excitement of the BKT URC is matched by the complexity of putting all of the pieces of the fixture list together but it is made much easier thanks to the support of our teams and broadcasters to assist us in this process.

“For the moment, we look forward to the Play-Offs that kick off next week after another regular season full of surprises. The Race to the Eight provided huge jeopardy and now we move into the ultimate win or go home stage of the competition which will lift the intensity up to another level.”

Season Schedule

Round 1: September 26/27
Round 2: October 3/4
Round 3: October 10/11
Round 4: October 17/18
Round 5: October 24/25
Round 6: November 28/29
Round 7 (Festive Derbies): December 19/20
Round 8 (Festive Derbies): December 26/27
Round 9 (Festive Derbies): January 2/3
Round 10: January 23/24
Round 11: January 30/31
Round 12: February 27/28
Round 13: March 20/21
Round 14: March 27/28
Round 15: April 17/18
Round 16: April 24/25
Round 17: May 8/9
Round 18: May 15/16

Play-Off Schedule

Quarter-Finals: May 29/30
Semi-Finals: June 6/7
Grand Final: June 20