Dragons RFC star Cai Evans took to the skies in Cardiff earlier this week as he joined team-mate Ashton Hewitt to launch the new EPCR Challenge Cup season.
Cardiff and the Principality Stadium will play host to the 2025 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Finals for the first time in 11 years, on 23 and 24 May 2025.
This coming season marks the 30th staging of the annual tournament and will be a full-circle moment for the city that hosted the inaugural final in 1996 in the former National Stadium.
To mark eight weeks to the new season, representatives from EPCR Challenge Cup contenders Cardiff Rugby, Ospreys, Dragons RFC, and Scarlets took part in the SCALE CLIMB to the roof of the Principality Stadium with Evans going up top for a number of spectacular photos.
Dominic McKay, EPCR Chairman, said: "It is an exciting moment for EPCR as preparations intensify and the build-up to the 2024/25 season gathers pace. We are thrilled to be returning to Cardiff to celebrate our 30th Final in what is going to be a historic weekend of international rugby at the conclusion of another no doubt closely-contested season.
“After a record-breaking 2023/24 season, where we welcomed more fans than ever into the stadiums and brought our competitions to bigger audiences via broadcast partners and our digital platforms, this forthcoming 30th season is highly-anticipated and we are very much looking forward to seeing the sporting stories unfold.
"We would also like to extend our deepest thanks to the WRU and Cardiff, not only for hosting us today but for our 2024/25 Finals Weekend. It is wonderful to be returning to this rugby heartland for our thirtieth Final and we look forward to seeing a packed crowd here at the Principality next May."
Also present at the Principality Stadium were the Hollywoodbets Sharks. Last year, this impressive team wrote their names into the history books when they became the first South African club to win an EPCR title. In doing so, the team from Durban also booked their return to the Investec Champions Cup this coming season. François Venter described what it means to him. “After last season's Challenge Cup win, we're excited to be back in the Investec Champions Cup. There's no question this is the competition we want to be in and it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to compete against the best clubs in the world. Being in Cardiff today is a great reminder of how much is a stake and what we're all competing for."
Both the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup will feature the very best of international clubs and world-class talent, guaranteeing unmissable rugby action. The 2024/25 season will get underway on the weekend of 6/7/8 December and promises to be an unforgettable one for rugby fans.
The EPCR Challenge Cup Final will be played at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Friday 23 May 2025 with the showpiece Investec Champions Cup Final is set for the following day, Saturday 24 May 2025, at the same iconic venue. Tickets are available to purchase, with more information available HERE.
Tickets for all our home EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures are on sale – click HERE to buy online or call the Ticket Office team on 01633 670 690 during office hours. Season Memberships for the 2024/25 campaign remain on sale NOW! Click HERE to buy today and make the best savings!
