DHL Stormers to launch new Vodacom URC season at home as 2025/26 fixtures confirmed

South African rugby fans can start marking their calendars, as the full fixture list for the 2025/26 Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) has officially been released – and it's the earliest-ever publication in the competition's history.

The new season will kick off on Friday, 26 September, with the DHL Stormers set to host Irish giants Leinster at DHL Stadium in Cape Town in a blockbuster Round 1 clash. The Vodacom Bulls will also start their campaign at home, welcoming Ospreys to Loftus Versfeld in what promises to be a thrilling opening weekend for South African sides.

However, it’s a road trip to begin the season for the other two South African franchises. The Hollywoodbets Sharks will face Glasgow Warriors in Scotland, while the Emirates Lions will travel to Wales to take on Cardiff Rugby.

This year's schedule release comes 128 days before the first whistle blows, smashing the previous record of 114 days. The early release is part of the league’s broader push to enhance fan engagement and logistical planning for clubs and stakeholders. Fixtures are now downloadable to mobile devices using the Ecal URC 25/26 calendar, ensuring fans around the world never miss a moment of the action.

Opening Weekend Highlights (26–28 September):

• DHL Stormers vs. Leinster – Cape Town
• Vodacom Bulls vs. Ospreys – Pretoria
• Glasgow Warriors vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks – Glasgow
• Cardiff Rugby vs. Emirates Lions – Cardiff
• Scarlets vs. Munster
• Connacht vs. Benetton

The tournament format remains unchanged, with the top eight teams qualifying for the quarter-finals starting 29 May 2026, followed by semi-finals on 6 June and the Grand Final on 20 June to crown the next URC champions.

A Season of Special Moments

Fans can also look forward to a series of themed matchday experiences as the URC brings back popular rounds such as:

• Kids Round
• Origin Round
• Unity Round

These will be announced in greater detail in the coming weeks and are aimed at enriching the in-stadium experience for families and communities.

Additionally, the festive derby rounds are back by popular demand, scheduled for Rounds 7, 8 and 9, which fall during the December and New Year holiday period. These traditional clashes always offer fierce rivalries, packed stadiums, and incredible atmospheres.

Fixture Planning Powered by Data

Behind the scenes, the fixture development was once again supported by German data specialists Ligalytics, who generated 202 workable fixture models. These models accounted for over 4,000 individual constraints, including travel requirements, stadium availability, and international broadcasting commitments.

This data-driven approach ensures a balanced schedule for all 16 teams and supports optimal fan engagement both in person and via television across five countries.

United Rugby Championship CEO Praises Collaboration

Martin Anayi, CEO of the United Rugby Championship, emphasized the importance of early fixture releases in growing the league’s success.

“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,” Anayi said.

“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 Vodacom 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.”

Broadcast Evolution Underway

Broadcast coverage will continue to evolve in the upcoming season, with negotiations ongoing for additional broadcast partners, including free-to-air options in the UK and other international markets. The league’s expanding media strategy is a clear sign of the growing global appetite for URC action.

Touring Windows and Season Timeline

Multi-game touring windows will be available between Rounds 1–5 and Rounds 13–18, while single-game tours are scheduled during Rounds 6 and 10, aligned with European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) breaks.

Key Dates for the 2025/26 Vodacom URC Season:

• Round 1: September 26/27
• Festive Derbies (Rounds 7–9): December 19 – January 3
• Quarter-Finals: May 29/30
• Semi-Finals: June 6/7
• Grand Final: June 20

The 2025/26 URC season promises more than just top-class rugby—it offers anticipation, tradition, and global reach. South African rugby fans can look forward to watching their teams battle it out against the best from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and Italy as the chase for silverware begins anew in September.

Full fixture list available at: URC 2025/26 Fixtures

For fans, clubs, and broadcasters alike, the countdown to the 2025/26 Vodacom URC season has officially begun.

The only question now is, are you ready?