2025‑26 URC Fixture Overview
The moment supporters have been waiting for is finally here: Ulster Rugby has published every date, venue and kick‑off slot for the upcoming United Rugby Championship season. The campaign launches on Friday, September 26, when the province hosts Dragons RFC at the Affidea Stadium, with the whistle blowing at 8:05 PM local time (3:05 PM EDT).
From there the schedule fans out across three continents, weaving together the traditional Irish rivalries with the high‑octane flair of South Africa’s four franchises. Round 2 sends the team north to Scotland’s Hive Stadium to take on Edinburgh on October 3, again at 8:05 PM local (6:05 PM BST, 2:05 PM EDT). A week later, Ulster returns to their Belfast stronghold to host the Vodacom Bulls – a heavyweight South African side that has become a regular feature of the league since its 2021‑22 expansion.
The URC’s format remains a blend of regional pools and cross‑pool clashes. Sixteen clubs are split into four pools – Irish, Welsh, South African, and an Italian & Scottish hybrid – and each team plays its pool opponents home and away, plus twelve additional fixtures against the remaining clubs, either home or away. That design guarantees a mix of familiar derbies and exotic away trips throughout the season.
Key Match‑ups and Travel Challenges
Beyond the opening two rounds, the fixture list throws a series of must‑watch games onto Ulster’s calendar. The Irish conference rivals – Leinster, Munster and Connacht – appear at various stages, setting up the classic provincial battles that always draw packed stands and fierce competition.
On the continental front, the province will embark on lengthy journeys to South Africa to face the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers. Those trips involve not only a grueling travel schedule but also the adaptation to different climates, altitudes and playing styles. For many fans, watching the squad tackle Cape Town’s windy seas or the high‑altitude stadium in Johannesburg will be a highlight of the season.Meanwhile, back in Europe, Ulster must navigate a packed Welsh slate that includes traditional powerhouses like the Ospreys and Scarlets, as well as Italian challengers Zebre and Benetton. The inclusion of these clubs means that every round can feel like a mini‑tournament, with points up for grabs in both the overall table and the regional pool.
Supporters across the Atlantic can now sync up with the published U.S. times. The league has standardized kick‑offs to make it easier for viewers in North America to catch live action, translating the Irish 8:05 PM slot to a mid‑afternoon broadcast on the East Coast and an early morning slot for the West.
Ulster’s management has hinted that the squad’s preseason preparations are geared toward handling the varied demands of the schedule. Coach Dan McFarland, in a recent interview, emphasized the need for depth across the back row to survive the back‑to‑back fixtures against South African teams, while also keeping the forward pack fresh for the intensity of the Irish derbies.
- September 26 – Dragons (home)
- October 3 – Edinburgh (away)
- October 10 – Vodacom Bulls (home)
- Mid‑October – Leinster (Irish pool)
- Late October – Munster (Irish pool)
- Early November – First South African away trip (Sharks)
- November – Connacht (Irish pool)
- December – Ospreys (Welsh pool)
- January – Lions (South African away)
- February – Stormers (South African away)
- March – Scarlets (Welsh pool)
- April – Benetton (Italian‑Scottish pool)
- May – Final Irish showdown with Leinster
With the league’s title on the line and Leinster entering as defending champions after their 32‑7 victory over the Bulls at Croke Park, Ulster will be looking to close the gap. The schedule offers plenty of opportunities to steal points, especially in those cross‑pool games where a surprise win against a South African side could swing the regional standings.
All told, the 2025‑26 URC calendar is a marathon rather than a sprint. It tests squad depth, travel logistics and the ability to perform under varied conditions. For Ulster fans, it also provides a steady stream of nights to gather around the television, head to Affidea Stadium, or plan a pilgrimage to a far‑flung venue. The season is set – all that’s left is to see how the province writes its next chapter in the URC saga.