Rugby enthusiasts, mark your calendars! The governing body of French professional rugby, the LNR, has officially released the fixture list for the 2025/2026 Top 14 season, confirming the league`s highly anticipated return on **Saturday, September 6th**. Prepare for another nine months of intense battles, tactical masterclasses, and the unpredictable drama that only the Top 14 can deliver.
France`s premier rugby competition is renowned globally for its passionate fans, star-studded squads, and a level of physicality that would make a lesser sport blush. The upcoming season promises to be no different, with all 14 clubs vying for domestic supremacy.
Opening Weekend Highlights
The first round of fixtures, set for that pivotal September 6th date, throws up some intriguing early clashes. Fans won`t have to wait long for potential fireworks. The opening slate includes:
- Clermont vs. Toulouse
- Castres vs. Pau
- Lyon vs. Racing 92
- Montpellier vs. Toulon
- Stade Français vs. Montauban
- Bordeaux vs. La Rochelle
- Perpignan vs. Bayonne
From the look of that list, nobody is getting an easy start. Defending champions (whoever they may be by then) will face stiff early tests, and promoted sides will immediately be thrown into the deep end. A gentle start in the Top 14? A pleasant myth, apparently.
The Road to the Final
While the season kicks off in early autumn, the ultimate goal remains the championship final in late June. The LNR has also detailed the structure and timeline for the business end of the campaign:
- The grueling group stage will conclude on **June 6th**.
- The tension ramps up with the Quarterfinals scheduled for **June 12-14th**.
- The Semifinals, often seen as a precursor to the final`s intensity, will be held in Marseille from **June 19-21st**. A weekend in the south of France watching elite rugby? Not a bad proposition.
- The grand culmination, the Top 14 Final, is set for **June 27th** in Paris, at the Stade de France (presumably, though not specified in the brief text, that`s the traditional venue). The pinnacle of French club rugby, where one team lifts the Bouclier de Brennus.
With the dates now locked in, clubs will finalize their pre-season preparations, strategies, and perhaps last-minute recruitment drives. The countdown has officially begun for the 2025/2026 Top 14 season. Get ready for the ride.
