The following is a summary of the rules for the 2024/25 Investec Champions Cup tournament: **1. LAWS OF THE GAME** The tournament will be played in accordance with World Rugby’s Laws of the Game of Rugby Union (as amended from time to time), as varied or supplemented by EPCR. **2. TOURNAMENT FORMAT** **Pool Draw** **2.1** With the exception of the 2024 Investec Champions Cup winner, the 2024 Investec Champions Cup runners-up and the three league winners, who were kept apart to ensure that they would not play one another in the pool stage, the clubs were entered into an open draw based on their performances in the knockout phases of their respective leagues, and/or on their qualifying positions in their respective league tables. **2.2** The 24 clubs (eight from each league) were then drawn and/or allocated to one of four pools of six – Pool 1 to Pool 4. A maximum of two clubs from each league were drawn into each pool and clubs from the same URC Shield could not be drawn into the same pool. **2.3** For the purposes of creating the fixtures, clubs from the same league **cannot** play against one another, and clubs only play against other clubs in the **same** pool on a home **or** away basis (so that they play two of their opponents at home, and another two away). **Pool Stage** **2.4** Clubs will play four matches during the pool stage, each against a different opponent, two matches at home and two matches away. **2.5** Four match points will be awarded for a win, two match points will be awarded for a draw. A bonus point will be awarded to a club scoring four or more tries and to a club losing by seven points or fewer. If two or more clubs in the same pool are equal on match points, their ranking will be determined as follows: (i) the best aggregate points difference from the pool stage; or (ii) if equal, the number of tries scored in the pool stage; or (iii) if equal, by drawing lots. **Round of 16** **2.6** The four highest-ranked clubs in each pool will qualify for the Round of 16. All clubs will thereafter be ranked in descending order based firstly on their ranking in their pool and subsequently on the number of match points they have accumulated, to create an overall ranking from 1 to 16. The pool winners will be ranked 1 to 4, the second-placed clubs will be ranked 5 to 8, the third-placed clubs will be ranked 9 to 12, and the fourth-placed clubs will be ranked 13 to 16. The Round of 16 will thereafter be played over one match as follows: **R16 1**: Number 1-ranked club v Number 16-ranked club
**R16 2**: Number 2-ranked club v Number 15-ranked club
**R16 3**: Number 3-ranked club v Number 14-ranked club
**R16 4**: Number 4-ranked club v Number 13-ranked club
**R16 5**: Number 5-ranked club v Number 12-ranked club
**R16 6**: Number 6-ranked club v Number 11-ranked club
**R16 7**: Number 7-ranked club v Number 10-ranked club
**R16 8**: Number 8-ranked club v Number 9-ranked club ***NB*** *The clubs ranked numbers 1 to 8 will have home advantage in the Round of 16.* The clubs ranked fifth in each of the pools will qualify for the Round of 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup. **Quarter-finals** **2.7** The quarter-finals will be played over one match with the following pairings: **QF 1**: Winner R16 1 v Winner R16 8
**QF 2**: Winner R16 2 v Winner R16 7
**QF 3**: Winner R16 3 v Winner R16 6
**QF 4**: Winner R16 4 v Winner R16 5 The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage. **Semi-finals** **2.8** The semi-finals will be played in Europe with the following pairings: **SF 1**: Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 4 **SF 2**: Winner QF 2 v Winner QF 3 The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home country advantage. **Final** **2.9** The 2025 final will be played at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday 24 May. ***NB*** *In the event of drawn matches at the end of normal time during the knockout stage, extra-time will be played. If the scores remain tied at the end of extra time, the winner will be determined as follows:* *(a) the club that has scored the most tries in the match (including extra time) or* *(b) if equal, by a place kick competition.* **3. ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS** **3.1** Each club must nominate a squad, however, there is no limit on the number of players nominated at First Registration of the season. A minimum of 10 of the players nominated by the club must be capable of playing in front row forward positions. All players must be fully and properly registered with their club and Union. **3.2** A club must nominate a squad of between 19 and 23 players for each match. **3.3** A minimum of six front row players must be included in each match day squad such that on the first occasion that a replacement is required in each position, a replacement can be made. Where uncontested scrums are ordered due to the departure of a front row player and there is no suitable replacement, the player whose departure caused the uncontested scrums may not be replaced (i.e. the club will be required to play with 14 players). **3.4** Each club may register up to five Additional Players during the pool stage but none during the knockout stage, each to replace a player previously registered. A minimum of three Additional Players must be front row players, and two Additional Players can be from any position. Players must have a three-month contract with the club and must not have played for another club in the same tournament. Additional Player registrations must be submitted by 12 noon (GMT) on the Wednesday before the match. De-registered players may be re-registered (in place of the relevant Additional Players) during the pool stage. **3.5** For Second Registration, clubs can add up to three players to supplement their squads and one of the players must be a front row player.