How to Watch European Rugby Champions Cup Online in 2024

The European Rugby Champions Cup is available to stream across several platforms worldwide. ITVX and RTÉ Player are fantastic choices for those looking to watch some games, including the final, for free. On the other hand, TNT Sports has got you covered for the entire Investec Champions Cup competition (formerly named Heineken Cup), though it requires a subscription.

It's important to remember, however, that most of the services broadcasting the event live are geo-restricted, meaning you can't use them to watch the action unless you have an IP address originating from the right country.

While a VPN could technically allow you to change your IP address and stream the European Rugby Champions Cup on any platform from anywhere, this approach often conflicts with the T&Cs of streaming platforms and could be viewed as a breach of copyright laws.

If you just want to watch the European Rugby Champions Cup privately and interruption-free, I recommend ExpressVPN. It works well with numerous streaming services that air the tournament, ensuring your online activity remains untracked and free of the constant buffering caused by ISP throttling. Better yet, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test its capabilities without risk. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Best VPNs to Securely Watch the European Rugby Champions Cup in 2024

1. ExpressVPN — Impressive Speeds to Watch the European Rugby Champions Cup in HD Without Delays

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Tested December 2024

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ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN I tested, allowing me to easily stream live rugby games in HD buffer-free. In fact, I only recorded a 5% drop from my usual speeds during my tests. This is impressive, as most VPNs slow you down by over 50%. Plus, its advanced servers are highly reliable, ensuring I could stream European Rugby Champions Cup games without ever experiencing any slowdowns.

Plus, ExpressVPN works very well with streaming platforms that broadcast the European Rugby Champions Cup. Its servers are built for both stability and compatibility with numerous streaming websites, ensuring you can enjoy every match in high quality without interruptions. Case in point: I watched European Rugby Champions Cup matches without issue on YouTube TV and FloRugby while I was in the US.

ExpressVPN offers plenty of reliable servers for safe, buffer-free streaming

ExpressVPN works seamlessly across various devices, from laptops to smart TVs, letting you watch the European Rugby Champions Cup privately on your preferred device. It even offers extensions for popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. The intuitive interface and easy installation process also allows you to stream the matches you’re excited for with minimal fuss. I set it up on my iPhone in less than 2 minutes.

One drawback is the expensive price tag. Luckily, ExpressVPN runs frequent discounts to make it more wallet-friendly. When I opted for a 12-month plan, I got 61% off and 3 extra months for free, bringing the price down to just $4.99/month. Plus, the 30-day money-back guarantee means there's no risk in trying it — if you aren’t a fan, you can easily get a refund.

Useful Features

• Split tunneling. ExpressVPN allows you to selectively use the VPN for certain apps while others continue to use your standard internet connection. So you can safely stream the Investec Champions Cup through a local VPN server while simultaneously gaming online with your regular, low-latency internet connection (VPN connections typically increase ping).
• MediaStreamer. This feature lets you watch the European Rugby Champions Cup without slowdowns on devices that don't natively support VPNs, such as Smart TVs and gaming consoles (Xbox and PlayStation).
• Works on restrictive networks. ExpressVPN disguises your VPN activity as regular internet traffic. This allows you to stream rugby even on restrictive networks that may block VPNs, such as those at schools or workplaces.
• Bypass ISP throttling. Many ISPs purposely throttle the speeds of customers who are streaming, in an attempt to save on bandwidth. ExpressVPN hides your streaming activity, so your ISP won’t know to throttle you. This lets you watch the European Rugby Champions Cup in the highest quality without any instances of buffering.

2. CyberGhost — Streaming-Optimized Servers to Reliably Stream the European Rugby Champions Cup

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Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

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www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost comes with streaming-optimized servers for RTÉ Player, YouTube TV, France TV, and Digi, letting you watch the European Rugby Champions Cup reliably. These specialized servers undergo regular checks to maintain optimal performance with their associated platforms. Our team in Ireland conducted thorough tests on the server optimized for RTÉ Player, and they always got a seamless connection for live sports streaming.

What’s more, CyberGhost’s apps stand out for their user-friendliness. It's easy to find the right streaming server for example — simply open the app, select For streaming, and type the name of the platform you’re looking to stream with in the search bar. Then, pick the appropriate server and click Connect. You can also mark this server as a “Favorite” by clicking the star icon, which places the server in your Favorites tab for even easier access later.

CyberGhost streaming servers made it easy to watch rugby matches in the highest quality

Second only to ExpressVPN, CyberGhost’s fast speeds allow you to stream the European Rugby Champions Cup without interruptions. It leverages a vast network of high-quality and fast servers. As such, I could securely watch every European Rugby Champions Cup match live in HD quality.

The only drawback of the service is the cost of its monthly subscriptions, which are on the higher side and only offer a limited refund period (just 14 days). However, the long-term plans present a more affordable option, beginning at just $2.19/month. These plans also feature an extended money-back guarantee, allowing you to test CyberGhost for free for up to 45 days.

Useful Features

• Ad blocker. This feature effectively removes disruptive ads and pop-ups, allowing you to seamlessly stream your anticipated European Rugby Champions Cup games.
• Private streaming sessions. CyberGhost encrypts your connection, which means that ad networks and other snoops can’t spy on your rugby streaming activity.
• Smart rules. This feature lets you automate CyberGhost to connect to a preferred server in your country whenever you open your browser to stream the European Rugby Champions Cup.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Unlimited Device Connections to Watch Rugby on All Your Devices

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ FIFA+ Netflix

Disney+ APV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA allows for unlimited simultaneous device connections, meaning you can safely stream the European Rugby Champions Cup on all your devices at the same time. This feature ensures that you, along with friends and family, can watch different matches simultaneously without compromising on connection quality or speed — perfect for those rugby-filled weekends. I tested PIA myself, and there were no declines in streaming quality even with 7 active connections.

PIA also offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera

PIA is also highly customizable, allowing you to balance your connection between speed and security. You can tailor your VPN experience as you go, prioritizing faster speeds while streaming the European Rugby Champions Cup and enhancing security whenever you’re inputting sensitive information online, such as when you’re signing up for a streaming service.

That said, the number of customization options might be daunting if you’re new to VPNs. However, it’s important to note that the service comes pre-configured for streaming — so you can start watching rugby games without needing to tweak any settings.

Useful Features

• Affordable subscriptions. You can get PIA’s long-term plan for as low as $2.19/month. If you're on the fence about committing, don't worry. With a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can test PIA totally risk-free.
• Streaming-optimized servers. Similar to CyberGhost, PIA has several servers dedicated to streaming. These are located in the US, the UK, Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Finland, and Italy.

Where Can I Watch the European Rugby Champions Cup Online?

The following streaming platforms all broadcast the European Rugby Champions Cup. With them, you can find out whether La Rochelle, led by the remarkable Ronan O'Gara, will make history by clinching their third consecutive cup.

Bear in mind that the platforms on this list enforce geoblocks, and can only be accessed from certain regions. These streaming services utilize your IP address to identify your geographical location, and if you are outside an area with broadcasting rights, access will be denied.

European Rugby Champions Cup Schedule

Here’s the remaining schedule for the European Rugby Champions Cup 2023/24 season. The knockout stage will begin with 16 teams and start on April 5, concluding with the Champions Cup final on May 25 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

FAQs on Watching the European Rugby Champions Cup With a VPN

How can I watch the European Rugby Champions Cup in the USA and Australia online for free?

Unfortunately, there aren't any free platforms in the US or Australia that broadcast the European Rugby Champions Cup. That being said, you can get a 30-day free trial with Amazon Prime Video in both countries, allowing you to watch certain games for free for some time. If you’re in the US, you can catch any game on YouTube TV using its trial, but it only lasts a measly 7 days.

Is the European Rugby Champions Cup available on Amazon Prime Video?

Only some games are available on Amazon Prime Video. Plus, the availability of European Rugby Champions Cup matches can vary by region and over time due to the nature of broadcasting rights agreements.

Where can I watch the European Rugby Champions Cup full match replays?

There are several options for watching full match replays of the European Rugby Champions Cup. For the best experience, I’d recommend using a premium VPN to ensure buffer-free streaming. With that out of the way, here’s a breakdown of known services offering replay access:

• Official tournament website or app. The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) website or its official app might offer replays of some matches.
• Streaming services. The streaming services that broadcast the matches live, such as TNT Sport in the UK or beIN Sports in some other countries, often have on-demand services where you can watch replays.
• YouTube. Sometimes, the official channel of the tournament or participating clubs may post full match replays or extensive highlights on YouTube.

What is the format for the European Rugby Champions Cup?

The European Rugby Champions Cup follows a specific format that combines pool stages and knockout rounds. If you want to stream the competition securely, I’d highly recommend choosing one of our top-rated VPNs. With that in mind, here’s how the tournament progresses:

1. Qualifying. 24 clubs qualify for the Champions Cup via their final positions in their respective national or regional leagues (Gallagher Premiership, French Top 14, and United Rugby Championship) or via winning the second-tier Challenge Cup. The clubs come from the Leagues and Unions of the six nations (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales) and South Africa.
2. Pool stage. Teams from various European leagues are divided into four pools of six. Each team plays others in its pool home and away, earning points for wins, draws, and bonus performances.
3. Knockout rounds. The top teams and the best runners-up from the pools advance to the knockout stages, which includes quarter-finals, and the semi-finals.
4. The final. The winners of the semi-finals compete in a single match at a predetermined venue to determine the champion.

Can I use a free VPN to watch the European Rugby Champions Cup?

Possibly, but with severe limitations. Free VPNs often offer limited bandwidth and server options, which can lead to buffering issues during live sports events. Instead, it's recommended to opt for a paid VPN service with a trustworthy money-back guarantee for watching the European Rugby Champions Cup.

Some free VPNs might even log and sell your data to third parties for profit. It’s also not uncommon for some of the dodgier ones to install malware and trackers on your device.

Securely Watch the European Rugby Champions Cup in Minutes

Watching the European Rugby Champions Cup in top-notch quality is a breeze with a good VPN. The ones I've picked out are great for catching rugby games online without interruptions, and also ensure a high-quality stream even when watching live.

ExpressVPN is my go-to for enjoying live rugby matches. It's very user-friendly, with a wide array of servers to choose from. Plus, its excellent speeds mean you can enjoy the competition without any annoying buffering. Best of all, it’s possible to try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 thanks to its money-back guarantee. This way, you can see how well it works for you without worrying about losing money.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for watching the European Rugby Champions Cup...

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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