EUROPEAN PROFESSIONAL CLUB Rugby [EPCR] have confirmed that the finals of the new Rugby Champions Cup and Rugby Challenge Cup will take place in London this season.
The Champions Cup decider has been scheduled for Twickenham on Saturday, 2 May 2015, while the Challenge Cup final will take place at the Twickenham Stoop the day before.
Last season, the ERC [organisers of the Heineken Cup] had announced that the 2015 final of Europe’s leading club competition would be hosted by Milan’s San Siro, but the EPCR have awarded hosting rights to London for the both new competitions.
The RFU was handed the honour after what the EPCR termed a “competitive tender process” that was open to the six countries involved in the Pro12, Premiership and Top 14.
An official press release from the EPCR also stated that “[t]he RFU’s successful bid will guarantee the best possible financial return to the clubs.”
Tickets for the finals of both competitions will go on sale on Monday, 18 August, with Twickenham providing space for 82,000 supporters and the Stoop offering a capacity of just under 15,000.
EPCR Director and Executive Committee member, Bruce Craig, said of the decision:
“In the inaugural season of the tournaments, the Board of EPCR took the view that fairest and the most commercially-sound approach was to award the finals based on a competitive tender process.
“The RFU’s bid was extremely strong and the fact that we are going to London for the 2015 finals is hugely positive for European club rugby. Twickenham Stadium and the Twickenham Stoop tick every box for fans wishing to attend both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals next May and with both venues steeped in rugby history, we are certain that the weekend will be an unforgettable experience.”
