Newcastle Falcons will play four pool games against four different opponents – two at home and two away. Both home games are covered by the season ticket package, available by [**clicking here**][1].

The top four teams from each pool will progress through to the round of 16, with four teams dropping down from the Heineken Champions Cup.

Single-leg knock-out games will take place in the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals before the final, which is being held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday May 24.

The EPCR Challenge Cup will have eight representatives from the URC, six from the TOP 14, two from the Gallagher Premiership and two invited clubs, which will be announced shortly.

Clubs from the same URC Shield and from the Premiership, as well as the two invitees, will be kept apart during the draw which will take place on Wednesday June 21 and will be broadcast live on EPCRugby.TV.

**2023-24 EPCR CHALLENGE CUP QUALIFIERS**

**BKT UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP:** Cell C Sharks, Emirates Lions, Benetton Rugby, Edinburgh Rugby, Ospreys, Scarlets, Dragons RFC, Zebre Parma.

**TOP 14:** Castres Olympique, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Montpellier Herault Rugby, Section Paloise, USAP, Oyonnax Rugby.

**GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP:** Gloucester Rugby, Newcastle Falcons.

**INVITED:** Two clubs to be confirmed.

EPCR chairman Dominic McKay said: “We are delighted to announce the new formats for the 2023/24 season. We’ve been working hard with our Leagues and key stakeholders to ensure we have the right competition structures for players and clubs, but also crucially for supporters.

“Our focus has always been to ensure that everyone can easily understand, engage with and follow our tournaments, and also to ensure we have a structure that creates real sporting jeopardy in as many matches as possible.

“We reached this conclusion following a thorough process during which we engaged with stakeholders in a meaningful way – not just our Leagues and unions, but also with our broadcasters, partners and around 1,000 rugby enthusiasts in order to canvass their views.

“We will continue to work with our stakeholders to look at ways in which we can improve both tournaments, an objective which is at the heart of our strategy and commitment to fans, clubs and partners.

“Our competitions truly are the pinnacle of professional club rugby, and we have to ensure that they continue to engage and to enthrall existing and new audiences along the way.”

**2023/24 WEEKENDS**

**Round 1** – December 8/9/10

**Round 2** – December 15/16/17

**Round 3** – January 12/13/14

**Round 4** – January 19/20/21

**Round of 16** – April 5/6/7

**Quarter-finals** – April 12/13/14

**Semi-finals** – May 3/4/5

**Final** – Friday May 24, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/EDP/Season/Index/1850?returnUrl=/newcastle-falcons/Seasons/Seasons