With simply over per week till EPCR competitors returns, the annual EPCR Membership Convention reaffirmed that the membership sport stays central to the game’s international future.
Representatives from Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Problem Cup golf equipment, joined by influential figures from throughout the worldwide {and professional} panorama, convened for 2 days of dialogue and strategic alignment on 24-25 November, reinforcing the message that membership rugby is the beating coronary heart of the sport.
Established in 2023, this forward-looking discussion board brings collectively leaders from throughout the membership rugby ecosystem to share insights, confront shared challenges and establish new alternatives for development.
This yr’s version as soon as once more demonstrated EPCR’s dedication to a very collaborative mannequin – one which champions open dialogue, collective problem-solving and a united method to making sure a sustainable, profitable future for the membership sport.
The convention was led by EPCR Chairman Dominic McKay, who mentioned: “Three years in the past after we outlined our new technique, we wished golf equipment to be on the coronary heart of our choice making, and the EPCR Membership Convention is a vital aspect on this. Over the previous few days, we’ve been joined by representatives from our 42 golf equipment, eight unions and three leagues, in addition to World Rugby. Bringing collectively these key stakeholders is a chance to additional strengthen relationships and guarantee alignment behind a shared imaginative and prescient for the game’s future.
“To navigate each the challenges and alternatives forward, we should proceed to work intently and constructively collectively. Collaboration permits us to make knowledgeable selections for gamers, supporters and the broader rugby ecosystem. It’s the basis on which we’ll construct the subsequent period of membership rugby.
Membership rugby is the beating coronary heart of the sport. The Membership Convention displays our collective dedication to strengthening these foundations, enhancing the expertise for all concerned, and making certain our golf equipment and competitions proceed to thrive.”
The programme highlighted a record-breaking 2024/25 EPCR season, celebrating each on- and off-pitch achievements throughout its landmark thirtieth anniversary yr. Standout moments included 1.5 million followers attending matches in individual – with greater than 110,000 on the Finals Weekend in Cardiff – and an financial affect of over €50 million for the host metropolis. The season additionally delivered document tv audiences and a serious surge in YouTube viewership, with greater than 91 million viewers and a goal of reaching 100 million this season. Moreover, two new companions joined the EPCR household: JAECOO and Groupe Apicil.
Investec additionally mirrored on its second season as title accomplice of rugby’s greatest worldwide membership competitors, taking a deep dive into the industrial panorama of sport and the alternatives inside rugby. This was adopted by insights from UK & Eire broadcaster Premier Sports activities on its first yr working with EPCR competitions, with each companions encouraging open dialogue with the golf equipment.
Abey Mokgwatsane, Chief Advertising Officer at Investec mentioned: “Investec actually values being a part of this membership convention as a result of it brings us nearer to the federations which are working the golf equipment and which are driving the fan engagement, it brings us nearer to the broadcasters and it brings us nearer to the most effective practices that makes this competitors what it’s, which is the most effective membership rugby competitors on the earth.
“Collaboration is necessary to be sure to can preserve your world-class credentials, we discover that speaking to individuals in numerous sides of this ecosytem, solely enriches what we’re in a position to do as a model. It drives these partnerships for fulfillment.
“What Investec is absolutely wanting ahead to this season is extra fan engagement and extra tales. We consider that membership rugby is the place legends are born. How we inform these tales and interact followers with these tales is one thing we actually look ahead to.”
Looking forward to the upcoming season and past, EPCR reaffirmed its dedication to its strategic pillars: sustainability, innovation and enlargement, alignment and knowledge-sharing, delivering sensible rugby, and elevating the narrative of the game.
Jacques Raynaud, EPCR CEO mentioned: “We are actually firmly progressing via EPCR’s long-term technique, which has delivered document engagement and unprecedented sponsor curiosity – demonstrated most just lately by our signing of Emirates on the stage of Premium Accomplice as Official Airline Accomplice for the subsequent 5 years.
“We’re additionally excited by improvements that followers can anticipate this season, together with Italian-language commentary on EPCR TV for our rising Italian viewers, a brand new in-house fan-friendly ticketing platform, up to date TV graphics, and a refreshed digital gaming expertise.
“Our focus stays on innovation, accountable development, and creating long-term worth for all the rugby ecosystem.”
All through panel classes and interactive workshops, attendees explored a spread of priorities: industrial development and monetary sustainability, optimising competitors codecs, boosting stadium attendance, increasing broadcast and digital audiences, enhancing participant welfare, and bettering the fan expertise via ongoing innovation.
Ian Flanagan, Chief Govt Officer at Munster Rugby – who received their first Champions Cup title 20 years in the past in 2006, and their second in 2008 – mentioned: “The membership convention is absolutely necessary. Firstly it’s nice to have the overview of final season and perceive what we achieved. However extra importantly, we’ve so little alternative to interact with our friends and colleagues from the French league and the Premiership, so it’s a very good alternative to spend time collectively speaking in regards to the collective points all of us should face.
“I don’t suppose anybody has any doubt about what the Investec Champions Cup means to Munster. It’s the factor that in all probability we’re finest recognized for all all over the world, particularly the superb away days when the Crimson Military present up. The quantity of travelling assist we’ve reveals the significance our supporters connect to the competitors. And for the gamers, you possibly can actually detect the change within the temper at our coaching floor when the Champions Cup rolls round.
“This yr is the twentieth anniversary of our first win and I do know it’ll give a good better incentive for the present squad and training employees to emulate what was achieved again in 2006 this season.
“The convention additionally showcased two outstanding membership tales. Bathtub Rugby mirrored on their historic treble final season and their promotion to the Investec Champions Cup, whereas Union Bordeaux Bègles celebrated their first-ever EPCR title.”
Jean Baptiste Machenaud, Deputy Basic Supervisor at Union Bordeaux Bègles mentioned: “These two days permit us to satisfy our counterparts from completely different golf equipment and completely different international locations, so we at all times study from every of them after which put together for this competitors collectively. We all know we’ll problem one another on the sector, however we additionally know we will collaborate off the sector.
“The Investec Champions Cup is necessary to us. It allowed us to win our first title in UBB’s historical past. So at this time, we’ve stars on our brand, however we even have stars in our eyes after we discuss this competitors.”
Tarquin MacDonald, Chief Govt at Bathtub Rugby mentioned: “The membership convention is extraordinarily necessary. That is about working collectively to know the affect we’ve with the competitors and the way via collaboration we will create extra worth for the membership, the competitors, sponsors and most significantly, the followers.
“It’s the top of the sport, there may be a lot historical past and heritage certain up within the champions cup and the problem cup, they’re nice competitions. Each participant, each membership desires to be topped the most effective in Europe and I don’t suppose that can ever change.
“We kick-off with a very improbable sport towards Munster. It’s one step at a time. if we will placed on an important efficiency at dwelling and are available away with the win, we’ll see the place we go from there.
“It’s been a privilege this season, and as we shut the chapter on 2024/25 season, we open the chapter on 205/26 and who is aware of what that can deliver.”
EPCR motion returns with Spherical 1 from 5–7 December. As golf equipment make their last preparations, rivalries spark again to life and supporters gear as much as cheer on their groups, the anticipation is already constructing for an additional unforgettable season.
Followers are additionally looking forward to the EPCR Finals Weekend in Bilbao on 22–23 Could 2026, the top of worldwide membership rugby. Demand has been distinctive, with over 50% of tickets already offered earlier than the 2025/26 season has even begun.
Click on HERE for all Investec Champions Cup fixtures.
Click on HERE for all EPCR Problem Cup fixtures.
