Leinster and Union Bordeaux Bègles to contest Champions Cup final in Bilbao. The Champions Cup final between Leinster and Union Bordeaux Bègles will take place in Bilbao. A full house and a possible attendance record are expected. The title of Europe's top rugby club is at stake.
The Champions Cup 2026 final will take place today at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, where Leinster Rugby will face Union Bordeaux Bègles. The match promises to be one of the most spectacular events in European rugby: all tickets are sold out, and organizers expect the number of spectators may surpass the attendance record set here in 2018.
Leinster is playing in its ninth final in Europe's top club tournament, an absolute record. The Irish club is aiming to reclaim the title it last won in Bilbao eight years ago. Several Leinster players have already lifted the trophy at this stadium, including James Ryan, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Furlong, Jamison Gibson-Park, Garry Ringrose, and Robbie Henshaw. Team captains and the coaching staff note that the final will be played in high temperatures, which may affect the players' physical condition, but the opponent remains the main challenge.
Union Bordeaux Bègles approach the final as reigning champions and have not lost a match in this tournament. The French club leads several of the competition's statistical categories, including points scored, tries, and defenders beaten. If Bordeaux win, they will secure their second consecutive undefeated title, further cementing their place among Europe's top clubs.
The road to the final was challenging for both teams. Leinster defeated Harlequins, Leicester, Stade Rochelais, Aviron Bayonnais, Edinburgh, Sale Sharks, and Toulon. Bordeaux overcame Vodacom Bulls, Scarlets, Northampton Saints, Bristol Bears, Leicester Tigers, Stade Toulousain, and Bath. Last season, Bordeaux already triumphed in the final against Northampton Saints, earning the club its first-ever Champions Cup trophy.
The San Mamés Stadium, known as 'La Catedral', is hosting the final of the main club rugby tournament for the second time. In 2018, Leinster already celebrated victory here after defeating Racing 92. Interest in the match is so high now that organizers expect a new attendance record—over 52,000 spectators. For comparison, in other major European sports events, such as decisive Copa Libertadores matches, sellouts also become a key factor, as happened recently when Boca was on the verge of elimination after a draw with Cruzeiro—more details on this can be found in the article about the battle for a playoff spot.
The Champions Cup final in Bilbao highlights the growing interest in rugby in Spain and across Europe. The tournament traditionally attracts not only fans, but also tourists, which has a positive impact on the city’s economy. In recent years, San Mamés has become a venue for major international events, and the successes of Leinster and Bordeaux confirm the high level of European club rugby. According to RUSSPAIN, such matches help develop sports infrastructure and are shaping a new image of Bilbao as a center for sporting events.
