Cardiff has today (Wednesday 31 January) been announced as the host city for European Professional Club Rugby's (EPCR) finals weekend in 2025.
Following a competitive tender process that generated bids from 23 stadia across 12 countries, the EPCR awarded the 2025 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup finals to Cardiff's Principality Stadium.
Dominic McKay, Chairman of EPCR, said: "In returning to Cardiff 30 years on from the iconic first final means a great to deal to us and our friends here in the city, and we will celebrate the milestone appropriately. We know this rugby heartland will not only be proud to host this historic weekend, but will welcome rugby fans from across the world to join us in Cardiff for our EPCR Finals Weekend in 2025".
Cardiff has a long connection with EPCR, having staged high-profile Heineken Cup/Champions Cup deciders seven times before, and next year's event will celebrate the 30th edition of EPCR's elite final since Stade Toulousain made history by defeating Cardiff after extra-time at the old National Ground, Cardiff Arms Park in 1996.
Cardiff Council leader Huw Thomas said: "Cardiff and rugby have always gone hand in hand, so we're delighted to welcome the Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup Finals back to the city for the first time in a decade, for what promises to be a memorable weekend."
"Since it opened, events at the Principality Stadium have generated in the region of £2 billion in visitor spending and supported more than 50,000 full-time jobs locally - clear evidence that as well as making for a special atmosphere in the city, major events like this also deliver significant economic benefits.
"Historically the EPCR always performs strongly for host cities in terms of visitor numbers and spend. In fact, the last time the tournament came to Cardiff it generated £24 million in direct economic impact just from a single Saturday match. Next year, with a whole weekend to enjoy, we would anticipate that being higher again."
Since the first decider in 1996, EPCR finals have been staged at 23 different venues in six countries.
EPCR also announced today that the 2026 finals weekend will take place in Bilbao, Spain. Dates for the 2025 and '26 events have yet to be confirmed.