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The Rugby Union World is Set for a Groundbreaking World Club Cup in 2028
The rugby union world is abuzz with the groundbreaking news that a long-awaited World Club Cup is set to become a reality. As reported by BBC Rugby Union, the first edition of this prestigious tournament is slated to take place in June 2028, marking a seismic shift in the sport’s landscape.
The plans have taken a massive stride forward, with European rugby bosses believed to have signed a memorandum of understanding that will see some of the continent’s powerhouses, such as Leinster, Toulouse, and Saracens, square off against Southern Hemisphere giants like the Hurricanes, the Brumbies, and the Chiefs.
In a significant concession, the domestic leagues have agreed to move their finals to May, clearing the way for the inaugural World Club Cup to be played as a stand-alone event in June 2028. This is particularly noteworthy for the French Top 14, whose final is typically held on June 28th, and the Premiership, whose season finale is slated for June 8th.
EPCR, the governing body responsible for the Champions and Challenge Cups, has been working tirelessly to secure this landmark agreement. With only eight weekends available during the season, the Champions Cup will now run until the quarter-finals, with European teams then being diverted into the new World Club Cup competition. This means there will be no Champions Cup winner in the year the inaugural World Club Cup is held.
The new tournament will feature the top six Super Rugby sides, along with two teams from Japan’s League One, taking on the eight European qualifiers. Clubs that miss out on the World Club Cup will compete in a separate “Super Challenge Cup” event.
The competition is set to be staged every four years, with the 2028 edition taking place in the Northern Hemisphere. Organizers are open to the possibility of hosting the event in the Southern Hemisphere four years later, subject to broadcasting deals.
Women’s Champions Cup on the Horizon
Furthermore, plans are also underway for a women’s version of the Champions Cup, set to launch in 2026 with four initial teams, including the winners of the Premiership Women’s Rugby. This demonstrates the sport’s commitment to driving growth and parity across both the men’s and women’s game.
As the rugby union community eagerly awaits the first World Club Cup in 2028, the sport’s governing bodies have positioned themselves at the forefront of innovation, setting the stage for a new era of international club-level competition that is sure to captivate fans and players alike.
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