Champions Cup 2025/26: Who can qualify, final pool stage fixtures and round of 16 details

From finely balanced groups to clear front-runners, here is how each pool is shaping up ahead of a thrilling final weekend for all.

The four highest-placed teams in each pool will advance to the Round of 16. Once the pool stage concludes, all qualified clubs will be ranked from 1 to 16, determined first by their finishing position in their pool and then by total match points.

Pool winners will be seeded 1–4, runners-up 5–8, third-placed teams 9–12 and fourth-placed teams 13–16. The Round of 16 will be decided by single-match ties, paired as follows:

This group has been thrown wide open following Toulouse’s surprise losses to Glasgow Warriors and Saracens, leaving them at risk of missing out. They sit fourth on seven points, just two ahead of the Hollywoodbets Sharks, and need a home win over Sale Sharks to be sure of qualification. Sale are second on 11 points, behind unbeaten leaders Glasgow, who boast a maximum 15.

Saracens occupy third place on 10 after their impressive victory over Toulouse at the StoneX. Clermont remain rooted to the bottom without a point; their only hope is a final-round win combined with a 22-point swing over the Sharks to sneak into the Challenge Cup. That would require a bonus-point victory in Durban by at least 12 points, provided the Sharks fail to earn a bonus themselves.

Glasgow welcome Saracens in the final match, with the visitors able to top the pool if they claim a bonus-point win and Glasgow do not. Otherwise, the Warriors will secure first place and home advantage in the knockouts up to at least the semi-finals.

This is the most finely balanced of all the pools, with every team still mathematically in the hunt and a host of possible finishing orders. Bath have already qualified with 11 points, followed by Edinburgh on 10 and Toulon on nine. Gloucester and Munster sit on six, while Castres have five.

Munster host Castres knowing that victory is non-negotiable, ideally with a bonus point, as Toulon travel to Gloucester. If Gloucester win and Toulon secure a bonus point in defeat, Munster—or Castres—would likely need the full five points to progress.

At the top end, Bath face Edinburgh at The Rec. With Toulon close behind, Edinburgh know that victory in Bath would seal top spot. With so many permutations still possible, a dramatic final round seems inevitable.

The standings in this pool appear relatively settled heading into the final round. Leinster lead on 14 points, followed by Harlequins on 11 and the Stormers on nine. La Rochelle sit fourth with six, Leicester Tigers occupy the Challenge Cup spot on five, and Bayonne are bottom without a point.

Bayonne, with little left to play for, face a daunting home fixture against Leinster, who are strong favourites. La Rochelle’s clash with Quins is pivotal, however, as a bonus-point win would see the French side overtake their visitors.

Meanwhile, the Stormers host Leicester in Cape Town, a fixture that favours the home side given the travel involved and Tigers’ apparent focus on securing a Challenge Cup place. The key battle is whether Quins can hold onto second, or whether La Rochelle and the Stormers can pass them.

This pool has divided neatly into two halves, with three teams excelling and three struggling. However, with four knockout places available, there remains plenty on the line as three sides contest the final qualifying position.

Bordeaux lead the way on 15 points, with Bristol Bears close behind on 14 points, with Northampton Saints third on 11. Below them, Pau head the chasing group on five points, while Scarlets and the Vodacom Bulls are still without a win but have collected two bonus points each.

Pau host the Bulls, and an upset by the South Africans in France would put them in a strong position to qualify, particularly with Scarlets facing a difficult trip to Northampton. Saints, meanwhile, may be eyeing second place, as leaders Bordeaux and Bristol meet at Ashton Gate in a winner-takes-all contest for top spot.