The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced the schedule for the 2024 Champions Cup, which will be held in France from 10th January to 1st February.
The tournament will feature the eight best teams from the 2023 Six Nations Championship, as well as the winners of the 2023 European Rugby Challenge Cup. The teams will be divided into two pools of four, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the semi-finals.
Champions Cup 2024 Schedule
Here are 8 important points about the Champions Cup 2024 Schedule:
- Tournament dates: 10th January to 1st February 2024
- Host nation: France
- Number of teams: 8
- Teams qualified: Top 8 teams from 2023 Six Nations Championship and winner of 2023 European Rugby Challenge Cup
- Pool format: 2 pools of 4 teams
- Top 2 teams from each pool advance to semi-finals
- Final to be held at Stade de France
- Defending champions: Leinster Rugby
The Champions Cup is one of the most prestigious club rugby competitions in the world, and the 2024 edition promises to be another thrilling tournament.
Tournament dates: 10th January to 1st February 2024
The 2024 Champions Cup will be held over a period of four weeks, from 10th January to 1st February 2024.
- Pool stage: The pool stage will take place over the first three weekends of the tournament, from 10th January to 26th January.
- Semi-finals: The semi-finals will be held on the weekend of 1st/2nd February.
- Final: The final will be held on Saturday, 1st February at the Stade de France in Paris.
- Rest weeks: There will be two rest weeks during the tournament, from 27th January to 29th January and from 3rd February to 5th February.
The tournament schedule has been designed to give teams sufficient time to rest and prepare for their matches, while also ensuring that there is a consistent flow of high-quality rugby action throughout the four weeks of the competition.
Host nation: France
France will host the 2024 Champions Cup, marking the first time that the tournament has been held in France since 2010.
The tournament will be played at four venues across France:
- Stade de France, Paris: The final will be held at the Stade de France, the national stadium of France and one of the most iconic sports venues in the world.
- Stade Vélodrome, Marseille: The Stade Vélodrome, home to Olympique de Marseille, will host two pool matches and a semi-final.
- Stade Matmut-Atlantique, Bordeaux: The Stade Matmut-Atlantique, home to FC Girondins de Bordeaux, will host two pool matches and a semi-final.
- Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille: The Stade Pierre-Mauroy, home to LOSC Lille, will host two pool matches.
France is a passionate rugby nation, and the 2024 Champions Cup is sure to be a major sporting event in the country. The tournament will provide an opportunity for French fans to see the best club rugby teams in Europe compete for the ultimate prize.
Number of teams: 8
The 2024 Champions Cup will feature eight teams, the same number as in previous editions of the tournament.
- Top 8 teams from 2023 Six Nations Championship: The top eight teams from the 2023 Six Nations Championship will automatically qualify for the 2024 Champions Cup.
- Winner of 2023 European Rugby Challenge Cup: The winner of the 2023 European Rugby Challenge Cup will also qualify for the 2024 Champions Cup.
The eight teams will be divided into two pools of four teams, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the semi-finals.
The reduction in the number of teams from 16 to 8 has been made in order to improve the quality of the tournament and to ensure that only the best teams in Europe are competing for the title.
Teams qualified: Top 8 teams from 2023 Six Nations Championship and winner of 2023 European Rugby Challenge Cup
The following teams have qualified for the 2024 Champions Cup:
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Top 8 teams from 2023 Six Nations Championship:
- England
- France
- Ireland
- Italy
- Scotland
- Wales
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Winner of 2023 European Rugby Challenge Cup:
- To be determined
The eight teams will be divided into two pools of four teams, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the semi-finals.
The 2023 Six Nations Championship will be held from 4th February to 18th March 2023, while the 2023 European Rugby Challenge Cup final will be held on 28th May 2023.
Pool format: 2 pools of 4 teams
The eight teams that qualify for the 2024 Champions Cup will be divided into two pools of four teams.
The teams will be seeded based on their performance in the 2023 Six Nations Championship and the 2023 European Rugby Challenge Cup.
The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals.
The pool format is designed to ensure that the best teams in Europe are competing for the title.
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Pool A
- Team 1 (top seed)
- Team 2
- Team 3
- Team 4
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Pool B
- Team 5 (second seed)
- Team 6
- Team 7
- Team 8 (winner of 2023 European Rugby Challenge Cup)
The pool matches will be played over the first three weekends of the tournament, from 10th January to 26th January 2024.
Top 2 teams from each pool advance to semi-finals
The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals of the 2024 Champions Cup.
The semi-finals will be played on the weekend of 1st/2nd February 2024, with the winners of each semi-final advancing to the final.
The semi-finals will be played at neutral venues, with the exact locations to be announced at a later date.
The format of the semi-finals will be a single match, with extra time and a penalty shootout used to determine the winner if the match is drawn at the end of regulation time.
The top two teams from each pool will be the teams that have finished in first and second place in their respective pools after the pool stage.
The pool stage will be played over the first three weekends of the tournament, from 10th January to 26th January 2024.
The semi-finals will be a major test for the teams involved, and the winners will be the two teams that are best prepared and have performed the most consistently throughout the tournament.
Final to be held at Stade de France
The final of the 2024 Champions Cup will be held at the Stade de France in Paris.
The Stade de France is the national stadium of France and one of the most iconic sports venues in the world.
- Capacity: 80,000
- Opened: 1998
- Major events hosted: 1998 FIFA World Cup, 2003 Rugby World Cup, 2007 Rugby World Cup, 2016 UEFA European Championship
The final of the 2024 Champions Cup will be a major sporting event in France, and the Stade de France will provide a fitting stage for the culmination of the tournament.
The final will be played on Saturday, 1st February 2024.
Defending champions: Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby are the defending champions of the Champions Cup, having defeated La Rochelle 24-21 in the final of the 2023 tournament.
Leinster are one of the most successful teams in the history of the Champions Cup, having won the tournament four times, in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2018.
- Head coach: Leo Cullen
- Captain: Johnny Sexton
- Key players: Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan, Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan
- Home ground: RDS Arena, Dublin
Leinster will be looking to defend their title in 2024 and become the first team to win the Champions Cup three times in a row since Toulon in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Leinster will be one of the favourites to win the 2024 Champions Cup, and they will be looking to use their experience and quality to overcome their opponents and lift the trophy once again.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2024 Champions Cup:
Question 1: When is the 2024 Champions Cup?
Answer: The 2024 Champions Cup will be held from 10th January to 1st February 2024.
Question 2: Where is the 2024 Champions Cup being held?
Answer: The 2024 Champions Cup will be held in France.
Question 3: Which teams have qualified for the 2024 Champions Cup?
Answer: The following teams have qualified for the 2024 Champions Cup:
- Top 8 teams from 2023 Six Nations Championship
- Winner of 2023 European Rugby Challenge Cup
Question 4: What is the format of the 2024 Champions Cup?
Answer: The 2024 Champions Cup will be played in a pool format, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the semi-finals.
Question 5: Where will the final of the 2024 Champions Cup be held?
Answer: The final of the 2024 Champions Cup will be held at the Stade de France in Paris.
Question 6: Who are the defending champions of the Champions Cup?
Answer: Leinster Rugby are the defending champions of the Champions Cup.
Question 7: How many teams will participate in the 2024 Champions Cup?
Answer: Eight teams will participate in the 2024 Champions Cup.
We hope this FAQ has answered your questions about the 2024 Champions Cup. For more information, please visit the official website of the tournament.
Now that you know all about the 2024 Champions Cup, here are some tips to help you enjoy the tournament even more:
Tips
Here are four tips to help you enjoy the 2024 Champions Cup even more:
1. Buy your tickets early
Tickets for the 2024 Champions Cup are sure to be in high demand, so it is important to buy your tickets as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
2. Book your accommodation in advance
If you are planning to travel to France for the 2024 Champions Cup, it is important to book your accommodation in advance, especially if you are planning to stay in Paris for the final.
3. Get to the stadium early
The atmosphere at a Champions Cup match is electric, so it is important to get to the stadium early to soak up the atmosphere and find your seat.
4. Bring your voice
The Champions Cup is a passionate and vocal tournament, so be sure to bring your voice and support your team.
We hope these tips help you have a great experience at the 2024 Champions Cup.
The 2024 Champions Cup is sure to be a memorable tournament, so make sure to plan ahead and follow these tips to get the most out of your experience.
Conclusion
The 2024 Champions Cup is shaping up to be a thrilling tournament, with some of the best club rugby teams in Europe competing for the title.
The tournament will be held in France from 10th January to 1st February 2024, and the final will be played at the Stade de France in Paris.
Eight teams will participate in the tournament, including the top eight teams from the 2023 Six Nations Championship and the winner of the 2023 European Rugby Challenge Cup.
The teams will be divided into two pools of four teams, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the semi-finals.
The defending champions, Leinster Rugby, will be looking to retain their title and become the first team to win the Champions Cup three times in a row since Toulon in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
The 2024 Champions Cup is sure to be a memorable tournament, so make sure to plan ahead and get your tickets early.
We hope you enjoy the tournament!