The Stormers open the 2026-27 Vodacom URC season away to Connacht, while the Lions host Leinster in a quarter-final rematch.
Organisers said the fixture list has been designed to provide greater balance across the regular season, with a more even spread of home and away fixtures and an optimised touring model for South African teams, who will each complete three two-game URC tours during the campaign.
The season begins on Friday, 25 September when the Stormers are in action in Galway, while Benetton host the Dragons and Edinburgh travel to Ulster.
The following day the Lions welcome Leinster to Ellis Park – a rematch of next week’s quarter-final in Dublin – while the Sharks host the Ospreys, and the Vodacom Bulls travel to Parma to face Zebre.
The opening round will also see a clash between the 2022-23 champions Munster and 2023-24 winners the Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park.
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Derby rounds will again form a major part of the season, with rounds seven, eight and nine staged across December and early January.
The format of the competition remains unchanged, with the top eight teams progressing to the URC playoffs and also qualifying for the Investec Champions Cup.
The knockout stage will begin on 28 May, with the final on 19 June 2027.
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
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